Government Impostor Scams: How to Spot Them and What to Do
Quick Answer
Government impostor scams are consistently among the most reported fraud types in the United States. They work because people feel compelled to respond when they believe a government agency is contacting them. Understanding exactly how real agencies communicate, and how they do not, removes the power from these calls.
How Real Government Agencies Contact You
This is the most useful information you can carry:
| Agency | How They Actually Contact You | How They Do NOT |
|---|---|---|
| IRS | First contact is by postal mail | Phone, email, text, social media |
| Social Security Administration | Letter by mail | Call threatening to suspend your SSN |
| Medicare | Mail, and inbound calls you initiate | Unsolicited calls asking for Medicare number |
| Department of Justice / US Marshals | In-person for serious matters | Calls demanding wire payment to avoid arrest |
| USCIS (immigration) | Letters and official notices | Calls threatening deportation for unpaid fees |
No government agency:
- Demands immediate payment over the phone
- Requires payment in gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
- Threatens arrest for non-payment of taxes or social security issues
- Asks you to keep the call secret from family or attorneys
- Sends someone immediately if you hang up
The Most Common Government Impostor Scams
IRS Impersonation
The script: You owe back taxes and must pay immediately to avoid arrest, deportation, or license suspension. Payment must be made by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency.
The reality: The IRS sends multiple written notices before any enforcement action. You always have the right to appeal. The IRS does not accept gift cards, and no IRS agent will threaten immediate arrest over the phone.
What to do: Hang up. If you are concerned about your actual tax situation, call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 or visit irs.gov.
Report IRS impostor calls: Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at treasury.gov/tigta or 1-800-366-4484. Also report to the FTC.
Social Security Impostor
The script: Your Social Security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity. You must verify your identity and possibly pay a fee to reactivate it. Or: your SSN was used in a crime and you will be arrested unless you cooperate.
The reality: Social Security numbers cannot be "suspended." The SSA does not call people with threats of arrest. If there is a genuine issue with your benefits, the SSA sends a letter.
Report: SSA Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov or 1-800-269-0271. Also report to the FTC.
Medicare Impostor
The script: Medicare is issuing new cards and you must provide your current Medicare number to receive your replacement. Or: there is a problem with your Medicare account requiring verification.
The reality: Medicare does periodically issue new cards, but they do not call asking for your current card number. Medicare number requests over the phone are used for billing fraud.
Report: HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). Also report to the FTC.
Arrest Warrant / Law Enforcement Scam
The script: You have a warrant for missing jury duty, failing to appear in court, or a related issue. Pay a fine immediately by wire or gift card to resolve it, or an officer will arrest you.
The reality: Courts handle these matters through mailed notices and in-person hearings. Law enforcement does not call demanding wire payments to avoid arrest.
Payment Method Red Flags
The payment method requested is often the clearest signal of a scam:
- Gift cards: No government agency accepts Walmart, iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon gift cards as payment under any circumstance
- Wire transfer to an individual account: Legitimate government payments go to official accounts with official documentation
- Cryptocurrency: No government agency accepts cryptocurrency for tax payments, fines, or fees
- Cash sent by mail: A genuine fraud indicator
If any caller identifying themselves as a government representative requests these payment methods, it is a scam.
What to Do If You Receive a Government Impostor Call
- Hang up. You do not owe anything to a caller you cannot verify.
- If you are concerned the issue might be real, look up the agency's official number independently (IRS: 1-800-829-1040, SSA: 1-800-772-1213) and call to verify.
- Do not call back on any number the caller gave you, it will connect to the scam operation.
- Report the call.
Report to:
- FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357
- IRS imposters: TIGTA at treasury.gov/tigta, 1-800-366-4484
- SSA imposters: SSA OIG at oig.ssa.gov, 1-800-269-0271
- Medicare imposters: HHS OIG, 1-800-447-8477