Report a
government impersonation scam.
The IRS will never call you demanding immediate payment by gift card. Social Security will never threaten to suspend your number unless you wire money. The FBI will never email you about a warrant. Government impersonation scams use fear and authority to pressure victims into paying — and they're the fastest-growing fraud category in the country. Report the phone number, email, or details here so we can warn others.
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Government impersonation: fear as a weapon
Government impersonation scams work because they weaponize authority and fear. When someone calls claiming to be the IRS and says a warrant has been issued for your arrest over unpaid taxes, the adrenaline response overrides critical thinking. Victims don't stop to ask why the IRS is calling instead of mailing a letter, or why a federal agency wants payment in Target gift cards, because the fear of arrest is overwhelming — especially for elderly people, immigrants, or anyone who's ever had an issue with taxes.
The FTC reported $618 million in losses to government impersonation scams in 2023, making it one of the most financially devastating fraud categories. The median loss is $7,000 — far higher than most other scam types — because victims are pressured to make large payments under the belief that jail time is the alternative. And 70% of victims are over age 60, a demographic that grew up trusting government institutions and is less likely to question someone claiming to represent one.
How these scams actually work
The most common variant is the IRS tax scam. A robocall or live caller claims you owe back taxes and a warrant has been issued. They provide a fake badge number and case number. They instruct you to go to a store, buy gift cards (usually $500–$2,000 worth), scratch off the backs, and read the numbers over the phone. More sophisticated versions direct victims to Bitcoin ATMs with a QR code to scan, or provide bank account details for a wire transfer.
The Social Security variant claims your SSN has been "suspended" due to suspicious activity, or that your number was found at a crime scene. They threaten arrest unless you verify your identity by providing your full SSN, date of birth, and bank account number — exactly the information needed to steal your identity. Some variants ask for a "security fee" to reactivate your number.
What real government agencies actually do
The IRS initiates contact by mail — never by phone, email, or text. They never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Social Security never threatens to "suspend" your number. The FBI never sends emails about warrants or requests payments. No federal agency will threaten you with arrest over the phone and demand you stay on the line while buying gift cards. If you receive any of these contacts, hang up and call the agency directly using the number on their official website.
If you've already sent money or shared personal information, file a detailed report immediately. Include the phone number they called from, what agency they claimed to be, what they demanded, and how much (if anything) you paid.
Where else to report government impersonation scams
Report to the real agencies being impersonated:
- →TIGTA — treasury.gov/tigta — for IRS impersonation (or call 800-366-4484)
- →SSA OIG — oig.ssa.gov — for Social Security impersonation
- →FTC — reportfraud.ftc.gov — for all government impersonation fraud
- →Do Not Call Registry — donotcall.gov — report the phone number
Related scam types
Scammers often combine tactics. If this looks familiar, check these too: