NBC Chicago: Government Shutdown Scams Target SNAP and Medicare

Scammers are using the government shutdown as a new hook to target consumers, and the impact is being felt nationwide. In this segment on NBC Chicago, Matt Mizenko General Manager of Nomorobo, breaks down the latest spike in benefit-related scams and shares simple steps people can take to protect themselves.

A recent report on NBC Chicago warns of a sharp increase in scams tied to the government shutdown, with criminals targeting consumers through robocalls and text messages.

According to the report, the most common scams right now involve SNAP benefits and open enrollment for Affordable Care Act and Medicare plans. Scammers pose as officials, claiming to offer emergency food assistance, reduced premiums, or “free” benefit reviews all designed to pressure victims into sharing personal information.

During the segment, Matt Mizenko shared three key rules for spotting and stopping these scams:

• Never give out personal information

• If something feels off, hang up immediately

• Spread the word so others don’t fall victim

These scams often rely on urgency and official sounding language, especially during times of uncertainty like government shutdowns or enrollment deadlines.

You can also watch the full NBC Chicago segment featuring Matt Mizenko on YouTube here:
Click here to see full interview

Learn more about how Nomorobo helps block scam calls and texts before they reach your phone at https://www.nomorobo.com, and explore real world scam examples at https://www.nomorobo.com/fraudfighters.