Government Impersonation

Government impersonation scams can come from any agency a scammer can think of, but they often rely on a few common, fear-inducing scenarios to force you to pay money or divulge personal data.

Common Scenarios:

• The IRS Tax Scam: A scammer calls claiming you owe back taxes and will be arrested or have your assets frozen if you don't pay immediately.
• The SSA Scam: You're told your Social Security number has been linked to criminal activity and suspended, requiring a fee to "reactivate" it.
• The Warrant for Arrest Scam: A scammer poses as a police officer claiming there is a warrant for your arrest for missing jury duty, offering to let you clear it by paying a fine over the phone.

How to Spot the Scam:

• Unexpected Contact: Real government agencies almost always initiate contact through official U.S. mail.
• Unusual Payment Demands: Demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. No legitimate agency accepts these.
• Threats: Bullying language threatening arrest, lawsuits, or deportation.
• Spoofed Caller ID: Do not trust caller ID or email appearances alone, as these are easily faked.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Hang Up: If a call feels wrong or makes you anxious, hang up immediately.
• Verify Independently: Find the official phone number for the agency yourself on a .gov website and call them to verify the claim.
• Never Share Information: Never provide your SSN or bank details in response to an unsolicited call or email.