How to spot government imposter scams

Protect your finances and identity

Scammers often impersonate officials from federal agencies, such as the IRS or local tax offices, to trick you into providing personal information or making payments. They may reach out through email, phone calls or text messages. These scams can lead to significant financial losses and data breaches.

Know the signs:

1. Unexpected contact:
   Legitimate government agencies typically don't reach out unexpectedly, especially regarding sensitive matters.
   
   
2. Urgent tone and fear tactics:
   Scammers frequently create a false sense of urgency to manipulate victims. They may claim you owe back taxes, threaten arrest, or state your benefits will be suspended if you don't comply immediately. Remember, genuine government agencies don't use such aggressive tactics or demand instant action.
   
   
3. Sensitive information requests:
   Imposters often ask for personal details like Social Security numbers, bank account information or credit card numbers. Legitimate federal agencies already have this information and won't ask for it over the phone or via email.
   
   
4. False phone numbers:
   Fraudsters use technology to falsify caller ID information, making their calls appear to originate from official government numbers. This tactic, known as "spoofing," can make it challenging to distinguish between genuine and fraudulent calls.

Protect yourself:

1. Avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
2. Hang up if someone claims to be calling from the IRS or government agencies – official institutions typically contact you by mail first.
3. Do not call back numbers provided in suspicious messages. Instead, look up and call the institution's official number to verify any requests.
4. Never provide sensitive data in response to unsolicited communications

Remember, it is uncommon for the IRS to initiate contact with taxpayers via email, phone calls, text messages or social media channels. If you are not sure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, you can contact the IRS customer service to authenticate.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Always consult a qualified professional about your personal situation.