CRITICAL THREAT
Government Impersonation Scam
Scammers pose as IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or law enforcement to demand immediate payment or personal information.
Losses: $1.1 billion (FTC 2024)
Targets: Seniors, immigrants, anyone fearful of government
Updated: 2026-01-06
Also known as: IRS Scam • Social Security Scam • Medicare Scam • FBI Scam
1How It Works
Scammers impersonate government officials to create fear and urgency, demanding immediate payment to avoid arrest, deportation, or loss of benefits.
**Common scenarios:**
1. **IRS Scam**: "You owe back taxes. Pay now or you'll be arrested."
2. **Social Security Scam**: "Your SSN has been suspended due to suspicious activity."
3. **Medicare Scam**: "We need your Medicare number to send your new card."
4. **Law Enforcement Scam**: "There's a warrant for your arrest. Pay the fine to avoid jail."
5. **Immigration Scam**: "Your visa has problems. Pay to fix it or be deported."
**Tactics:**
- Caller ID spoofing to show real government numbers
- Threats of arrest, deportation, or losing benefits
- Demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire, or crypto
- Requests for Social Security numbers or other personal info
- Robocalls with urgent messages to call back
How Scammers Make Contact
Phone callsEmailsText messagesPhysical mail
2Warning Signs & Red Flags
- Government agencies don't call demanding immediate payment
- Threats of arrest if you don't pay immediately
- Requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
- Caller asks for your Social Security number
- Pressure to act immediately without time to verify
- Caller ID shows a government number (can be spoofed)
- Told not to tell anyone about the call
3Real-World Example
"I received a call saying my Social Security number had been suspended because it was used in a crime in Texas. They said there was a warrant for my arrest and I needed to pay $5,000 immediately to clear my name. They knew my full name and address. I was terrified and bought gift cards as instructed. It wasn't until my daughter came over that I realized it was a scam."
— SSA Office of Inspector General
4How to Protect Yourself
- Know that IRS, SSA, and Medicare will never call demanding immediate payment
- Government agencies communicate primarily by mail for important matters
- Never give personal info to incoming callers — hang up and call the agency directly
- Use official numbers from government websites (.gov) to verify
- Don't trust caller ID — it can be spoofed
- Take your time — legitimate agencies allow time to respond
5What To Do If You're a Victim
- 1Stop all contact with the scammer
- 2If you paid, contact your bank or the payment service immediately
- 3Report IRS impersonation to TIGTA at treasury.gov/tigta
- 4Report Social Security scams at oig.ssa.gov
- 5Report to FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- 6If you gave your SSN, visit identitytheft.gov
- 7Consider a credit freeze if personal info was compromised
Report This Scam
?Frequently Asked Questions
What is Government Impersonation Scam?
Scammers pose as IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or law enforcement to demand immediate payment or personal information. Scammers impersonate government officials to create fear and urgency, demanding immediate payment to avoid arrest, deportation, or loss of benefits.
**Common scenarios:**
1. **IRS Scam**: "You owe back taxes. Pay now or you'll be arrested."
2. **Social Security Scam**: "Your SSN has been suspended ...
How common is this type of scam?
Government Impersonation Scam is classified as a critical risk threat. Reported losses: $1.1 billion (FTC 2024). This primarily targets Seniors, immigrants, anyone fearful of government.
Can I get my money back?
Recovery depends on how you paid. Credit card payments may be reversed through chargebacks. Wire transfers and cryptocurrency are rarely recoverable. Report immediately to your bank and file complaints with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and FBI IC3 at ic3.gov.
How do I report this?
Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. For internet crimes, file with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov. For identity theft, visit identitytheft.gov. Also contact your local police and your bank.
Sources & References
Related Scams
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