GOVERNMENT IMPERSONATION SCAMS
 

Government information scams often start with a phone call, email, text, or other social media message from someone who says they are with a government agency.  They might give you their employee ID number to sound official.  They also might have information about you, such as your name or home address.

They often say they work for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Social Security Administration, IRS, or Medicare - but sometimes they give you fake agency names, like the non-existent National Sweepstakes Bureau.  They also will give you some reason why you need to send money or give them your personal information immediately.  If you are contacted like this, hang up or ignore it.  IT'S A SCAMMER!

Government agencies will never call, email, text, or message you on social media to ask for money or personal information.

HOW TO AVOID A SCAM --

• Don't wire money or use gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a payment app to pay someone who says they are with the government.  Scammers insist you can only pay these ways because it is hard to track that money and just as hard to get it back.  They will take your money and disappear.
• Don't give your financial or personal information to someone who calls, texts, emails, or messages you on social media and says they are with the government.  If you think a call or message could be real, stop.  Hang up the phone and call the government agency directly at a number you know is correct.  If the call is a robocall, do not press any numbers.  Pressing numbers could lead to more calls.
• Don't trust your caller ID.  Your caller ID might show the government agency's real phone number or name, such as Social Security Administration.  But caller ID can be faked.  It could be anyone calling from anywhere in the world.
• Don't click on links in unexpected emails, texts, or social media messages.  Scammers send emails and messages that look like they are from a government agency, but they are designed to steal your money and personal information.  Don't click on any link and don't pass it on to others.  Just delete the message.

Here are some other examples of government impersonation scams:

• Scammers impersonate the "national consumer protection agency".  They might say they are from the non-existent National Sweepstakes Bureau or another made-up agency.  If you are in doubt, check out the list of real federal agencies at usa.gov.
• Scammers impersonate your local sheriff's office or a court official.  They might say there is a warrant out for your arrest and you will go to jail if you don't pay immediately.  They also might say they are from the local court and you need to pay a penalty for missing jury duty.  This is most likely a scam.  But, if you are worried, look up the real number for the government agency or office that the caller mentioned.  Then contact them directly to get the real story.

If you spot a government impersonation scam, report it to:

•     the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
•     your state attorney general   

If you gave your personal information to a scammer, go to IdentityTheft.gov for steps you can take to protect your identity.

Information provided by consumer.ftc.gov