Across the United States and the United Kingdom, a surge in sophisticated scams is targeting vulnerable populations, from federal workers and seniors to small business owners and even hopeful models. As government agencies, law enforcement, and consumer protection offices issue urgent warnings, the public is being urged to stay vigilant, verify information, and avoid falling prey to increasingly convincing fraudsters.
On October 6, 2025, the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) in Maryland sounded the alarm for federal employees and their families, many of whom are facing financial hardship due to the ongoing government shutdown. With thousands of workers either furloughed or working without pay, scammers are seizing the opportunity to exploit uncertainty and fear. OCP’s advisory emphasized the dangers of predatory lenders, who often lure desperate individuals with payday loans and high-interest offers that hide long-term financial traps. "Montgomery County stands with our federal employees and their families during this challenging time," County Executive Marc Elrich stated, urging residents to rely on trusted resources and stay alert to scams.
OCP Director Eric Friedman reinforced the message, explaining, "Our office stands ready to protect our residents from scams, fraud, and predatory practices, especially during times of uncertainty like a government shutdown." Residents are encouraged to contact service providers for hardship programs, verify any requests for information, and report suspicious activity to MC311 or directly to the OCP. The office, located in Rockville, remains open for walk-ins from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, providing an accessible resource for those in need.
But it’s not only federal employees who are at risk. In Indiana, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office has reported a spike in scam calls from individuals impersonating deputies. According to WPTA, these fraudsters threaten arrest unless victims comply with demands for payment via wire transfers, gift cards, or other untraceable methods. Sheriff Del Garcia made it clear: "No deputy or employee at the department will ever call and demand a payment or personal financial information." The department’s advice is straightforward—hang up immediately, never share personal or financial details over the phone, and always verify suspicious calls by contacting the Sheriff’s Office directly. Special emphasis was placed on protecting seniors, who are often the primary targets of such schemes.
The story is much the same in southeastern Wisconsin, where sheriffs’ offices have been battling a wave of similar scam calls. As reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, callers impersonate sheriff’s deputies and claim that the recipient has missed jury duty or another legal summons, demanding payment to avoid arrest. James Burnett, spokesperson for the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, noted that these scams have become more frequent and sophisticated. "That skeptical response is what we encourage of the public at large because, under no circumstances will MCSO deputies or members of any legitimate law enforcement agency ever threaten arrest to an individual if that individual does not pay a fine," Burnett stressed. The Rock County Sheriff’s Office echoed these warnings, reminding residents that they would never request money over the phone or through unconventional methods like prepaid gift cards or Bitcoin.
Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, local businesses and vendors are being targeted by a different breed of scam. East Pennsboro Township officials warned that fraudulent emails are circulating, offering booth space at the upcoming Pennsboro Pumpkin Fest in exchange for payment through apps like Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, or Apple Pay. The township has made it clear that it never requests payments via these platforms and that the booth fees listed in the scam emails are incorrect. Anyone who receives such an email is advised not to respond and to report it to the township’s recreation office. With the festival drawing tens of thousands each year, officials are working closely with law enforcement to investigate the scam and protect the community.
Across the Atlantic, scams are taking on a more personal—and heartbreaking—form. BBC News recently highlighted the plight of 79-year-old Judy Corker from Manchester, who was lured by a social media advert promising modeling opportunities for older adults. After paying £200 for a photoshoot and another £300 for additional images, Judy was told she had landed a lucrative cruise line modeling job. "They sent me a contract and it all looked legal so I signed it and I was thrilled to bits," she told BBC’s Morning Live. But the job, like the agency, turned out to be a sham.
Judy was not alone. Roland Parker, 73, fell victim to the same ruse, losing around £1,000 in fees and travel expenses. He had paid using PayPal’s "friends and family" option, which offers no buyer protection. Judy, on the other hand, used PayPal’s "goods and services" option and was eventually refunded after reporting the scam to Action Fraud. The scam’s sophistication lies in its repeated requests for money, each time dangling the promise of a bigger payout. Mike Andrews of National Trading Standards explained, "The scammers are not content with taking a few hundred pounds for fake photoshoots anymore. They go back repeatedly with the promise of a lucrative contract."
Andrews and other consumer protection experts offer crucial advice to avoid falling for such scams: never pay money upfront for the promise of work, always verify the legitimacy of companies through official channels, use secure payment methods that offer buyer protection, beware of high-pressure tactics, and consult friends or family before making commitments. Most importantly, report any suspected fraud to authorities—these reports can help prevent others from being victimized.
What ties these scams together is their reliance on trust and urgency. Whether it’s the threat of arrest, the promise of a job, or the allure of a festival booth, scammers count on people acting quickly and not verifying details. The proliferation of digital payment platforms and the sophistication of impersonation—sometimes even mimicking real officials or using familiar names—make these scams harder than ever to spot.
Yet, as officials from Maryland to Wisconsin and beyond emphasize, skepticism and verification remain the best defenses. If something sounds too good to be true—or too dire to ignore—it probably is. In a world where scams are evolving faster than ever, awareness, caution, and community vigilance are the keys to staying safe.
