Overview

• Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel urged vigilance, noting her office has not yet received shutdown-related scam reports and that benefits continue though some services may be delayed.
• Check Point researchers reported scam attempts have risen by more than 43%, with attackers capitalizing on fear around Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and SNAP.
• Common ruses involve impersonating the IRS, FTC or Social Security Administration to solicit personal data or demand payment under false pretenses.
• Security experts advise ignoring unsolicited links or attachments and warn that legitimate agencies do not request payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency or demand information by text or email.
• The FTC said it will not accept fraud complaints or help block spam calls during the shutdown, so consumers are directed to verify claims on official websites and report issues to state consumer-protection teams.