Fake "government" calls, texts and emails
Real government agencies do not call, text, email or message you to demand money or personal information, and none will tell you to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or a payment app.
If this is happening to you right now
- Stop. Do not pay, click, or share any code or password.
- Hang up or stop replying.
- Tell someone you trust. Scammers want it kept secret.
- Look up the real number yourself before calling anyone back.
How this scam works
- You get a call, email, text or social media message from someone who says they are with an agency such as the FTC, Social Security Administration, IRS or Medicare. They may give an "employee ID number" and may know your name or address.
- They give a reason you must pay or share personal information right now, or something bad will happen: arrest, suspended benefits, a frozen Social Security number.
- They often insist on payment in hard-to-trace ways: gift cards, wire transfer, cryptocurrency or a payment app.
- Caller ID can be faked. It may show a real agency name or number.
Warning signs
- Anyone from "the government" who contacts you out of the blue asking for money or personal information.
- Threats of arrest or deportation, or that your driver's license will be revoked.
- A claim that your Social Security number or benefits will be suspended (the FTC says the real Social Security Administration will not do that).
- Demand to pay by gift card, wire, cryptocurrency or payment app.
- Telling you to move your money to "protect" it, to withdraw cash, or to buy gold and hand it to someone. The FTC says the real FTC will never do this.
What to do
- Hang up or delete the message. Do not press any numbers on a robocall.
- Do not trust caller ID. If you think it could be real, look up the agency's number yourself and call that number.
- If you are worried about taxes, the FTC page says to check your tax account online or call the IRS at 800-829-1040. The IRS contacts people about taxes by mail.
- Talk to someone you trust before you do anything.
Where to report it
- FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Your state attorney general or consumer office: State directory
- IRS impersonation: TIGTA: tigta.gov
- Social Security impersonation: SSA Inspector General: oig.ssa.gov/report
More: full reporting directory · what to do after you paid · family safety plan
Common questions
Will Social Security ever call me?
The FTC says the real Social Security Administration will not threaten you, suspend your Social Security number, or call, email, text or message you on social media and ask you to pay. If you need to talk to them, the FTC advises calling your local office using the number on the agency's website.
Can a government agency make me pay with a gift card?
No. The FTC says no government agency will demand you wire money or pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency or a payment app.
Sources
Last verified: October 17, 2026. We link to the original public pages. Hotline hours and agency advice can change; check the linked page.
- How To Avoid a Government Impersonation Scam (FTC; Nov 2023)
- False alarm, real scam: how scammers are stealing older adults' life savings (FTC Data Spotlight; Aug 2025)
- Elder Fraud tri-fold (2025 data) (FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3); 2026)