As the federal government shutdown continues, the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office is warning people to stay alert for scams involving impersonation, digital assets, and social media.
Officials say criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to create convincing fakes that can deceive people into sharing money or personal information.
According to the 2025 Enforcement Report from the North American Securities Administrators Association, scams using AI tools are among the top threats this year.
These technologies allow scammers to clone voices, generate fake videos, and impersonate trusted people or organizations, often leading to significant financial losses before victims realize what happened.
“Scammers are always looking to take advantage of those in vulnerable situations, and as Nevadans feel the impacts of the federal government shutdown and changes to social services, we’re urging the public to be on alert,” said Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar. “Nevadans should be wary of any urgent requests and always verify who is asking for their money or personal information.”
Officials urge the public to verify any communication claiming to be from government agencies by contacting the office directly through official websites.
People can call the Secretary of State’s Securities Division at (702) 486-2440 or reach out to the SEC, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), or FINRA directly, to confirm the legitimacy of communications or investment opportunities.
The office also advises checking the credentials of investment professionals, as scammers often create fake personal websites to appear legitimate.
Individuals and companies must be licensed in Nevada to conduct securities business in or from the state. To check to see if a securities business is legitimately licensed you can call the SOS Securities Divison at (702) 486-2440 or search for broker-dealers and their agents by clicking here, or search for investment advisers and their representatives by clicking here.
Residents are also encouraged to be cautious of urgent pleas from family or friends that could be generated using AI.
Scammers may use a person's personal details from their social media to make such messages sound genuine, even going so far as to make it seem like the message was written just for the victim in their pleas asking for money to be invested.
Scammers tend to use a tactic of stirring up emotions in their victims by pretending to be in some type of distress, often asking the victim not to tell a parent, spouse, or roommate about the incident.
The Secretary of State’s Office recommends verifying any request independently before sending money or securities and considering a shared password or phrase among family members to confirm identity during emergencies.
People who believe they may be victims of investment fraud are encouraged to report it to the Secretary of State’s Office.
The Nevada Legislature recently approved Senate Bill 76, creating a statewide securities restitution fund to help victims recover financial losses from investment fraud.
