Scammers use government shutdown to target consumers with schemes

The U.S. government shutdown has been in place for ten days and fraudsters are taking advantage of the funding freeze and could be targeting you. The Better Business Bureau is warning that phishing scams connected to government agencies are becoming more common. 

These fraudsters are offering unclaimed government relief funds or refunds through calls or emails. The scammers are asking customers to visit websites that include my relief check in the URL. Some of the websites ask for a registration fee, which requires users to provide credit card or banking numbers, or they’re asked to give their personal information that could be used for identity theft. The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers are taking advantage of the shutdown by promoting benefits or funds that may be temporarily unavailable.

 Some people are receiving calls claiming that the U.S. passport office isn’t currently processing renewals and offering assistance for a substantial fee. While it’s true that these services say they’ll help you navigate the process, the claim that the U.S. passport office isn’t renewing passports is false. Passport renewals are still being handled directly by the official office, so paying for this kind of help is unnecessary and misleading. 

If you believe you may be the target of a scam, take immediate action to protect yourself. Follow these three steps:

1.    Stop – Pause and do not share any personal or financial information.
2.    Call – Reach out to the Better Business Bureau or a trusted authority.
3.    Confirm – Verify whether the offer or message is legitimate before proceeding.

Scammers often create a false sense of urgency to trick people into giving up sensitive information. Stay alert, stay informed, and always double-check with official sources.