Two Phishing Scams New Jerseyans Should Watch for in 2026

The Better Business Bureau is warning residents across the country and right here in New Jersey about a noticeable jump in scams as we begin 2026.

Two of the newest ones making the rounds are tied to all the talk about tariffs. Con artists are paying close attention to headlines, and they’re using that confusion to trick New Jerseyans out of their hard-earned money.

So what should we be watching for, and how could these scams affect the way we spend here in the Garden State?

1. Messages That Pretend to Be From the Government

One of the biggest red flags right now is a fake email or text that looks like it came from a federal agency. Tech site Lifehacker says scammers are registering web addresses that resemble official government domains and filling their messages with phrases like “U.S. Customs,” “U.S. tariffs,” or “tariff payment.”

The message usually claims you recently bought something online and now owe a tariff fee. It pressures you to pay immediately through a link to avoid a penalty, fine, or delay.

Here’s the simple truth: everyday Americans are not asked to send direct tariff payments to the government. Legitimate federal websites end in “.gov.” If the link ends in “.com,” “.net,” or anything else, chances are very high it’s a trap.

2. Fake Alerts About Packages on the Way

The second scam hits even closer to home because so many of us order online. These emails and texts appear to be from major shipping companies like FedEx or UPS and say a package is waiting for delivery—but you need to pay a fee first.

It can feel believable, especially after the holidays when returns and exchanges are still showing up on doorsteps from Ocean County to Monmouth County. Scammers are counting on that busy season to catch people off guard.

If you really do have a delivery coming and something seems off, don’t use the link in the message. Open a new browser window, go straight to the shipper’s official site, type in the tracking number yourself, or call customer service using the phone number you find independently.

A Good Rule of Thumb

We get so many notifications on our phones that it’s easy to react before thinking. Take a breath and look closely. If a message demands quick payment, includes strange wording, or sends you to an unfamiliar website, it’s safer to delete it than to gamble with your bank account.

And remember, these scams don’t just steal money, they can tighten budgets and make people nervous about shopping at all. That affects spending right here in New Jersey, where every dollar matters with groceries, gas, and family expenses already high.

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The holiday season may be behind us, but the scammers haven’t packed it in. Double check those inboxes, talk to older relatives about what to look for, and keep spreading the word. The more we look out for each other in the Garden State, the harder it is for these crooks to win.