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Financial Wellness

Impersonation Scams Are Getting Smarter…Make Sure You Are Too

Person in business suit with a mask covering their face.

The rise in scammers pretending to be government officials is alarming and increasingly sophisticated.

Criminals now pose as officials from respected agencies, such as the IRS, Medicare, or the FBI, using intimidation and a false sense of urgency to trick people into handing over sensitive information or rushing into payments. Their tactics are calculated, their tone authoritative, and their impact potentially devastating.

Unfortunately, these scams are getting harder to spot. Criminals add layers of credibility by spoofing real phone numbers, using official-sounding language, and referencing real agencies or case numbers — all designed to make their deception appear credible and convincing.

You can protect yourself and your loved ones by knowing how real government agencies communicate and understanding how these schemes operate.

Urgent Calls & Official Messages? They Could Be Fakes.

Scammers use a variety of tactics to capture your attention and steal your personal information. They often reach out through multiple channels — phone calls, texts, emails, and even mail — to create a false sense of legitimacy and urgency.

  • Scammers spoof their phone number to make their call look like it’s coming from a real government agency. They often sound serious or threatening and ask you to act right away to avoid serious consequences, such as fines, legal action, or arrest.
  • Scammers mimic their text message with the clipped, official language of government alerts. They urge you to click a link or reply with sensitive information. These messages will also sound urgent or alarming to pressure you into responding quickly.
  • Scammers send fake emails that mirror official correspondence with copied logos, formal formatting, and look-alike language. Embedded links lead to counterfeit websites created to steal your personal or financial data once you click.
  • Scammers send direct messages on social media platforms, like Facebook or Instagram, pretending to be government officials. They may use fake accounts or copy real ones to gain your trust and extract valuable information.

Don’t Be Fooled: How to Spot the Scam.

No matter how they reach out to you, scammers tend to follow the same script. Look out for common warning signs.

  • They claim to be from the government. Scammers will pretend to work for well-known agencies to gain your trust.
  • They use fancy titles. They may introduce themselves as a “Senior Agent” or “Fraud Investigator” to sound official.
  • They know a little about you. They might mention some of your personal information — name, address, or part of your Social Security number — to make the scam appear real.
  • They pressure you to act quickly. Scammers often try to rush you. They’ll threaten fines, arrest, or loss of benefits if you don’t send money or give up your personal information right away.

What to Do If You’re Targeted?

If someone contacts you posing as a government agency, stay calm. While these encounters can feel unsettling, swift action can help protect your identity.

» Hang up. Don’t reply. Don’t click.
If a call, text, email, or message feels suspicious, end it right away.
» Never share personal or financial info.
Real government agencies won’t ask for your Social Security number, checking or savings account details, or credit card numbers in calls or messages.
» If you already gave out your info…
Go to the government site IdentityTheft.gov right away for a step-by-step recovery plan to limit potential damage.
» Report the scam.
Whether or not you’re harmed financially, file a complaint with the relevant government agency, the Federal Trade Commission (reportfraud.ftc.gov), the Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov), or your local police department.
» If you sent money…
Contact your financial institution or credit card provider immediately. There may still be time to reverse the charge, flag the transaction, or secure your accounts. The sooner you act, the better. However, in some cases — such as payments made with gift cards, wire transfers, or through apps like Zelle or Venmo — once the money is sent, it’s gone for good.
» Consider a fraud alert or credit freeze.
If you’re worried about identity theft, place a fraud alert on your credit file, which tells creditors to take extra steps to confirm your identity. For more serious protection, a credit freeze can prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.
» Avoid suspicious links and attachments.
Even if they appear to come from familiar agencies, do not click links or download attachments unless you verify the source. Scammers send fake links to steal your information or install harmful software on your device.

Don’t Fall for It!

The emotional and financial cost of fraud is real. If someone claiming to be a government official asks for money or personal information — it’s almost certainly a scam.

Fraudsters create urgency, spoof phone numbers, and use official language to trick you into acting fast. Trust your instincts. Stop and verify the request by contacting the agency directly.

Read our Scam Awareness & Cyber Security articles to learn more about how to protect yourself from scams. Staying informed is your best defense.