Government Impersonation Scams: Fake IRS, Social Security, Medicare and FTC Calls, and How to Check
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How we wrote this: A summary of the Federal Trade Commission's "How To Avoid a Government Impersonation Scam" page and its October 22, 2026 consumer alert, the Social Security Administration's scam page, the IRS "Recognize tax scams and fraud" page and the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center's 2025 annual report (linked below), checked October 29, 2026.
The caller says they're from the IRS, Social Security, Medicare or even the FTC. They may give an "employee ID," know your name and address, and show a real agency number on caller ID. Then comes the problem (you owe money, your number is suspended, you're under investigation) and the demand.
The FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report counted 32,424 government impersonation complaints with reported losses of $797,943,193.
The four signs of a scam
The Social Security Administration's scam page says these scams come in many varieties but all work the same way:
- They pretend to be from an agency or organization you know.
- They say there's a problem or a prize.
- They pressure you to act immediately.
- They tell you to pay in a specific way.
What real agencies won't do
From the FTC and SSA pages:
- No government agency will call, email, text or message you on social media to ask for money or personal information. The FTC says only a scammer will.
- No agency demands payment by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency or a payment app. SSA adds prepaid debit cards, gold or other precious metals, and mailed cash to the list.
- Nobody from the government tells you to move your money to "protect it," withdraw cash or buy gold to hand over.
- Federal employees don't send photos of badges or credentials to prove who they are. SSA says that's illegal to reproduce, and the FTC says a real FTC employee will never text you a photo of an ID.
Agency by agency
| If they say they're… | What the FTC says the real agency does |
|---|---|
| IRS | Won't email, text or message you on social media with threats or demands, and won't call about your taxes unless you set up an appointment. If you owe, the IRS contacts you by mail. Private debt collectors working for the IRS call only after you've received two letters (one from the IRS, then one from the collector), and never ask for payment over the phone. |
| Social Security | Won't threaten you or suspend your Social Security number, and won't call, email, text or message you to demand payment. |
| Medicare | Sends new Medicare cards automatically, for free. Won't contact you to ask for your Medicare number unless you called 1-800-MEDICARE first and left a message. |
| FTC | Will never ask for money, threaten arrest or promise a prize. Refunds from FTC cases come by check, prepaid card or PayPal, listed at ftc.gov/refunds. |
The FTC also lists made-up agencies such as a "National Sweepstakes Bureau," fake sheriff's or court officials (see jury duty scam calls), and immigration impostors.
The newest scripts
- Fake call transfers. SSA posted a July 29, 2026 warning: legitimate companies and other agencies can't transfer your call directly to SSA or its Inspector General. If they claim they can, it's a scam.
- "We'll deactivate your phone number." The FTC's October 22, 2026 alert describes a fake "FTC official" who says a phone registered in your name is being used for scams abroad, reads off a fake badge ID, then transfers you to a fake police officer, even telling you what to search online so the "callback" reaches the scammers. It ends in a demand for a "security deposit." The FTC says a real employee will never threaten to disconnect your phone, connect you to someone who asks for money, or tell you to keep the call secret.
- "Your money isn't safe." Often after a fake tech support call (see tech support scams), someone posing as a government agent tells you to move money to a "safe" account or hand over cash or gold. SSA lists in-person pickups of cash and gold bars as a red flag, too.
- COLA bait. SSA warns about anyone who says they need your information or a payment to "activate" a cost-of-living increase.
How to check whether it's real
- Hang up or don't reply. Don't click links or open attachments.
- Don't trust caller ID. The FTC says it can show a real agency's name or number and still be fake.
- Call the agency yourself at a number you know is right. For the IRS, the FTC suggests checking your tax account online or calling 800-829-1040; for Medicare, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227); for Social Security, the number on its website.
- If it's a robocall, don't press any numbers. The FTC says that can lead to more calls.
- Pause and talk to someone you trust. SSA's first piece of advice, especially if you feel rushed or upset.
Where to report
- Any government impostor: ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and your state attorney general.
- Social Security impostors: SSA's Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report.
- IRS impostors: the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at tigta.gov.
- Gave personal information: IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.
If you paid by gift card, see gift card scams for the steps to take right away.
Sources
- FTC Consumer Advice: How To Avoid a Government Impersonation Scam
- FTC Consumer Alert: The FTC is not calling to deactivate your phone number (October 22, 2026)
- Social Security Administration: Protect Yourself from Scams
- IRS: Recognize tax scams and fraud
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: 2025 Internet Crime Report (PDF)