🧑‍⚖️ Government Impersonation Scam

Government Impersonation Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them

Few things grab your attention faster than a call or message claiming to be from the **IRS, Social Security Administration, or local police**. Scammers know that fear and authority make a powerful combination — and they exploit it every day.

Government impersonation scams are designed to **scare you into paying money or sharing personal information**. They’ve become one of the most common and effective forms of fraud, especially targeting older adults and small business owners.

What Is a Government Impersonation Scam?

In this scam, the fraudster pretends to be from a trusted government agency — like the **CRA/IRS**, **Service Canada/Social Security Agency**, or **Local of Federal law enforcement**. They claim you’ve done something wrong or owe money, then demand immediate payment or personal details to “resolve” the issue.

Common tactics include:

**Claiming you owe back taxes or unpaid fines**

**Saying you missed jury duty** and a warrant has been issued

**Threatening arrest or legal action** unless you comply immediately

**Offering to “fix” the situation** if you pay a fee or share sensitive information

These scams often come through phone calls, text messages, or emails that look official but aren’t.

Red Flags to Watch For

**Threats or intimidation** — Real government agencies will *never* threaten arrest over the phone.

**Aggressive tone or urgency** — Scammers push you to act quickly so you don’t stop to think.

**Unusual payment requests** — Demands for payment via **gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency** are clear signs of fraud.

**Caller ID spoofing** — The number may appear legitimate, but technology allows scammers to fake it easily.

Why It Works

Scammers rely on **fear and authority**. When someone claims to be from the government, it’s natural to feel anxious or want to fix the problem quickly. That emotional reaction — fear, guilt, confusion — is what they’re counting on.

How to Protect Yourself

**Stay calm and verify.** Hang up and call the official agency directly using a verified number.

**Never provide personal or payment information** to unexpected callers or emails.

**Be skeptical of threats or urgency.** Government agencies don’t operate that way.

**Report the scam.** Report the scam to your local police department, if you are in the U.S., you can report government impersonation scams to the **FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov)** as well.

The Bottom Line

If someone claims to be from the government and demands payment or personal information — it’s almost certainly a scam. Take a breath, double-check, and protect yourself from becoming their next target.

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> **Tip:** Real government communications come by mail, not by threats over the phone or text. If it sounds scary, it’s probably fake.