Nomorobo Fraud Alert – Amazon Holiday Text Scam
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Spam Calls Are Getting More Personal
January 16, 2026
Government Shutdown Triggers 80% Spike in Scam Robocalls
Following the recent government shutdown, many Americans are still seeing a sharp increase in scam and spam robocalls tied directly to the disruption. According to experts at Nomorobo, fraudsters quickly capitalized on confusion and uncertainty while enforcement efforts were temporarily paused.
During a recent appearance on ARC Seattle, Nomorobo General Manager Matt Mizenko explained that scam activity rose dramatically during the shutdown period.
“When we compare the same timeframe year over year, we saw about an 80% increase in the number of calls being made,” Mizenko said. “Depending on the region, between 50% and 150% of those calls were scams or spam and we were actively blocking them.”
Check out the video below or click here to watch it on YouTube.
Shutdown-Driven Scam Themes
Nomorobo’s data shows scammers adjusted their tactics to align with shutdown-related concerns. Three categories stood out:
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SNAP and benefits scams, offering “free money” if benefits had allegedly run out
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Healthcare and insurance scams, timed with open enrollment and rising premium anxiety
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Impersonation of government agencies, exploiting limited verification during the shutdown
“These calls prey on uncertainty,” Mizenko explained. “People worry they owe money, missed a benefit, or have a package being held and with agencies closed, they don’t know where to confirm.”
How the Scams Work
According to Nomorobo, these scams consistently rely on the same psychological tactics:
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Authority - posing as government officials or trusted institutions
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Urgency - pressuring victims to act immediately
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Financial threat - warnings of fines, liens, or legal consequences
“It’s psychological warfare,” Mizenko said. “They’re designed to catch people during stressful moments and push them into quick decisions.”
Staying Informed and Protected
Experts urge consumers to remain skeptical of unsolicited calls — especially those demanding immediate action or personal information.
Nomorobo tracks active scam trends through its Fraud Fighters initiative, which provides examples of scam messages and guidance on how to respond safely:
https://nomorobo.com/fraudfighters
Consumers can also report suspected scams to the Federal Trade Commission at:
While enforcement agencies have resumed operations, experts caution that scammers will continue adapting. The themes may change, but the tactics like fear, urgency, and impersonation remain the same.
