Larimer County Sheriff's Office Warns Residents of Government Shutdown Scams

The Larimer County Sheriff's Office is warning Northern Colorado residents about scammers exploiting the current federal government shutdown to steal personal information and money by impersonating federal agencies including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP.

Scammers are contacting residents through texts and phone calls claiming to offer "priority assistance" during the shutdown, according to the October 6 warning. These fraudulent communications request personal information under the pretense of providing emergency help with federal benefits.

"This is a scam," the sheriff's office emphasized, noting that no government agency will ever reach out to citizens via text, social media, or unsolicited phone calls. The warning comes as the federal government shutdown, which began October 1, continues to affect services nationwide.

The sheriff's office stressed that residents should never pay scammers using cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers, or digital payment apps like Zelle or Venmo for any promised government assistance.

Federal Shutdown Creates Opportunity for Fraud

The current federal government shutdown commenced at 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2025, following Congress's failure to pass appropriations legislation for the 2026 fiscal year, according to federal government records. The shutdown has resulted in furloughs for approximately 900,000 federal employees nationwide, with another 700,000 working without pay.

While essential services including Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security continue operating during the shutdown, the disruption creates confusion that scammers exploit to appear legitimate when contacting potential victims.

Historical patterns show that government shutdowns and other crises often lead to increases in impersonation scams nationwide, as fraudsters take advantage of public uncertainty about service availability and emergency procedures.

Official Contact Methods for Verification

Larimer County residents seeking legitimate assistance with federal benefits should use only official contact methods rather than responding to unsolicited communications.

For Social Security Administration services, residents should visit ssa.gov or call the national number at 1-800-772-1213. The nearest Social Security office to Northern Colorado is located in Denver, with office locations available through the SSA website locator.

Medicare inquiries should be directed to medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Colorado Medicaid services are available through the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing at colorado.gov/hcpf or 1-800-221-3943.

For SNAP food assistance, residents can access services through Colorado Peak at colorado.gov/peak or contact local county offices directly. The Larimer County Human Services office is located at 2555 Midpoint Drive in Fort Collins and can be reached at 970-498-6300. Weld County Department of Human Services operates from 315 N 11th Ave in Greeley with a general number of 970-352-1551.

Warning Signs and Protection Measures

The sheriff's office highlighted several red flags that indicate potential scam attempts. Legitimate government agencies will never demand immediate payment, threaten benefits suspension for non-compliance, or request personal information through unsolicited contact.

Caller ID showing government agency names can be easily spoofed by scammers, making the displayed information unreliable for verification purposes. Residents should hang up and contact agencies directly using official phone numbers when receiving suspicious calls.

Payment requests involving cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers, or digital payment apps represent clear indicators of fraud attempts, as government agencies do not accept these payment methods for official services or fees.

Reporting and Legal Protections

Colorado residents who encounter suspected scams can report incidents to multiple agencies for investigation and enforcement action.

The Colorado Attorney General's Office accepts scam reports online at coag.gov or through their hotline at 1-800-222-4444. The Federal Trade Commission handles nationwide fraud reporting at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-FTC-HELP.

Social Security-related fraud should be reported to the SSA's Office of the Inspector General fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271. Local law enforcement agencies including municipal police departments and county sheriff's offices also investigate scam reports affecting their communities.

The Colorado Consumer Protection Act provides legal protections against deceptive trade practices, including government impersonation schemes. Federal laws also criminalize impersonating federal employees or agencies, with violations investigated by appropriate federal agencies.

Residents who have shared personal information with suspected scammers should contact their financial institutions immediately, monitor all accounts for unauthorized activity, and consider placing fraud alerts or credit freezes with major credit bureaus to prevent identity theft.

The sheriff's office encouraged residents to trust their instincts when evaluating suspicious communications and to verify any government contact directly through official channels rather than using contact information provided by potential scammers.