Government Impersonator Scam — Is It the IRS or a Scammer?

Government impersonator scams cost Americans over $500 million per year. They work because fear overrides judgment — the caller claims you owe taxes, your Social Security number was used in a crime, or you'll be arrested unless you pay immediately.

The IRS, SSA, FBI, and Medicare will never call demanding immediate payment in gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Full stop.

Red Flags That Identify a Scammer

• Demands immediate payment — "You must pay today or be arrested"
• Asks for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
• Threatens arrest, deportation, or license revocation
• Asks you to keep the call secret
• Caller ID shows a government number (easily spoofed)
• Pressure to stay on the phone while you go to the store

What Real Government Agencies Do

• The IRS contacts you by mail first — always
• Government agencies never demand immediate payment without giving you time to question or appeal
• They never ask for payment in gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto
• They never threaten immediate arrest over the phone

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If You Already Paid

If you paid with gift cards, call the issuer immediately — numbers are in our gift card scam guide. Some unredeemed cards can be frozen and refunded.

If you wired money, call your bank immediately and ask for the wire transfer department. Request a recall — every minute counts.

If you shared your Social Security Number, freeze your credit immediately at all three bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It's free and takes five minutes each.

Report It

• FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
• IRS at irs.gov/uac/report-phishing
• SSA Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov