Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing her consumer alert on government imposter scams that could occur during the federal government shutdown. With residents concerned about the status of their federal benefits, bad actors may take advantage of this anxiety by posing as government officials in fraudulent calls, texts, or emails. While the Department of Attorney General has not yet received reports of shutdown-related scams, they can involve false claims about Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or SNAP benefits, with fraudsters attempting to steal personal information or demand money.
"I know a government shutdown can cause uneasiness and uncertainty for many families,” Nessel said. “Scammers take advantage of those fears to try to steal money and personal information. The best defense is to stay calm and verify details directly with the government agency.”