Category Protection

During a government shutdown, like the one happening in October 2025, scammers take advantage of people’s fear and confusion. They send fake emails, texts, or phone calls pretending to be from the government, warning about things like delayed paychecks or lost benefits. These messages often look official and push people to respond quickly—hoping they will share personal or financial information without thinking. Scammers especially target federal workers and people who get government assistance. Experts warn everyone to stay alert and not trust messages asking for sensitive details or quick actions during this stressful time.

During the federal government shutdown in October 2025, scammers took advantage of the chaos and uncertainty to target federal workers and people who rely on government benefits like Social Security. With government services delayed or unavailable, fraudsters pretended to be from government agencies and contacted people through emails, phone calls, and text messages. They used scare tactics to trick victims into giving up personal information or sending money, claiming it was needed to keep their benefits or avoid penalties. Experts warn that real government agencies do not ask for personal details or payments this way—especially during a shutdown—and people should be cautious and report suspicious messages.

In recent years, the U.S. has seen a sharp rise in Authorized Push Payment (APP) fraud, a type of scam where victims are tricked into sending money themselves. One alarming example is the "phantom hacker" scam, where fraudsters pretend to be tech support, bank employees, or government officials. They use urgent and believable stories to scare mostly older adults into transferring their money. What makes these scams especially dangerous now is the use of advanced technology like deepfakes—realistic fake voices and videos powered by artificial intelligence. Experts, including Deloitte, warn that losses from APP fraud could grow from $8.3 billion in 2024 to nearly $15 billion by 2028. As scammers become more sophisticated, it's more important than ever to stay informed and cautious.

A recent study from TransUnion shows that U.S. businesses are losing nearly 10% of their yearly revenue to fraud, which includes scams, identity theft, and account takeovers. This is a major increase—46% more than last year—and it's much higher than the global average. One of the biggest problems is account takeover fraud, where criminals gain access to company accounts using stolen or fake information. These attacks have grown quickly as fraudsters become more skilled at using digital tools to trick businesses. The study suggests that ongoing global unrest and economic challenges are making it easier for scammers to take advantage of security gaps.

AI-driven scams are becoming a major problem in the United States, especially as new technology makes it easier for criminals to trick people. Scammers now use artificial intelligence to create fake videos, clone voices, and impersonate loved ones or trusted organizations. These scams are so convincing that many people fall for them, leading to record-breaking losses—over $12.5 billion in 2024 alone. With the rise in fake messages, phone calls, and social media schemes, it’s getting harder to tell what’s real and what’s not. A recent campaign called "They Wear Our Faces," started by cybersecurity company Bitdefender, aims to warn people about these threats and teach them how to protect themselves, especially during times of economic and political stress.

Cybercrime is becoming a major problem for small businesses in New Jersey and across the U.S. In 2024, New Jersey lost over $435 million to online scams like phishing emails, fake wire transfers, deepfake impersonations, and crypto fraud. Nationwide, the total loss reached a record $16.6 billion—a huge 33% jump from the previous year. Small and midsize businesses are hit especially hard because they often lack the money and tools to protect themselves. While big companies are investing more in cybersecurity and insurance, many smaller businesses are still struggling to keep up with growing digital threats.