The call comes on a Tuesday afternoon. An authoritative voice announces that there is a warrant out for your arrest due to unpaid federal taxes — and that law enforcement officers are currently en route to your address. The only way to stop them is to settle the balance immediately by purchasing gift cards and reading the numbers aloud over the phone.
It is terrifying. It is designed to be. And it is completely fabricated.
Government impersonation scams — calls from people pretending to be the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or local police — are consistently among the most reported and most damaging frauds targeting older Americans. Understanding exactly how they work is the first and most important step to not falling for them.
The Three Most Common Government Impersonation Scams
1. IRS Tax Scams
IRS impersonators tell you that you owe back taxes that were never paid, that an audit has revealed discrepancies, or that a warrant has been issued for your arrest. They demand immediate payment — often in gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency — to avoid legal consequences. They may call repeatedly, getting increasingly aggressive if you resist.
The real IRS: Always sends written notice through the U.S. mail before making any phone contact. The IRS will never demand immediate payment without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount. The IRS will never require a specific payment method, and it will never threaten immediate arrest.
2. Social Security Administration Scams
A caller claims your Social Security number has been "suspended" or "compromised" — linked to suspicious activity, a drug trafficking case, or identity theft. To protect your benefits and avoid having your number permanently deactivated, you must verify your information or pay a fee.
In some versions, the scammer claims to be a police officer, a federal agent, or an SSA investigator. They may even send a fake "case number" via text to appear official.
The real SSA: Social Security numbers cannot be "suspended." The Social Security Administration does not call to threaten benefit suspension and does not demand payment or personal information over an unsolicited phone call. If you have concerns about your account, call the SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213.
3. Medicare Scams
Callers claim to be from Medicare, claiming there has been a billing error, that your card is being upgraded or replaced, or that you need to verify your information to continue receiving benefits. They ask for your Medicare number, date of birth, and sometimes banking information to "process the update."
Your Medicare number is as sensitive as your Social Security number. Anyone who obtains it can use it to commit medical billing fraud — and you could be held liable for thousands of dollars in fraudulent claims.
The real Medicare: Medicare does not call beneficiaries to ask for their Medicare number or personal information unless the beneficiary initiates the call. Medicare does not send unsolicited representatives to your home. If you need to update Medicare information, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Why These Scams Are So Effective
Government impersonation scams work because they exploit very specific, very human psychological responses:
- Authority. Government agencies carry enormous weight. When someone claiming to be the IRS or the Social Security Administration calls, most people's instinct is to comply — the same instinct that has served them well throughout life when dealing with legitimate institutions.
- Fear. The threat of arrest, benefit suspension, or criminal charges triggers panic. Panic short-circuits careful thinking. Scammers are trained to maintain and escalate this fear throughout the call.
- Urgency. "You have until 5 PM today" or "officers are already on their way" leave no time for the target to pause, think, or consult anyone. This is intentional. A pause is fatal to the scam.
- Shame. The implication of tax fraud or criminal activity is embarrassing. Scammers use this to discourage victims from involving family members who might recognize the scam.
What Government Agencies Actually Do (and Don't Do)
The Script: Exactly What They Say
Reading an actual scam script before you encounter one makes it far easier to recognize in the moment. Here is a composite of the most common IRS impersonation call:
Scammer: "To stop the arrest, you must pay the outstanding balance of $3,400 today. We accept payment by Google Play or iTunes gift cards. Please do not hang up and do not contact a lawyer until this matter is settled — doing so will be seen as an admission of guilt."
Scammer: [if pressed] "I understand your concern, but I am required by law to inform you that if you do not comply in the next hour, I cannot stop the officers from proceeding."
Notice the hallmarks: a fake title, an invented debt, a specific amount, a payment method no real government agency uses, a tight deadline, and explicit instructions not to seek counsel. Every element is engineered to prevent you from thinking clearly or seeking help.
Warning Signs That Tell You It's a Scam
Hang up if you hear any of these
- ⚠ You're told a warrant has been issued or officers are on their way to your home
- ⚠ Payment is demanded in gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer
- ⚠ You're told not to hang up, not to consult a lawyer, or not to tell your family
- ⚠ The caller claims your Social Security number has been "suspended" or "flagged"
- ⚠ Medicare asks you to confirm your Medicare number over an inbound call
- ⚠ You're given a deadline of hours or the same day to pay or face consequences
- ⚠ The caller becomes aggressive, threatening, or abusive when you express doubt
- ⚠ A "supervisor" gets on the line to apply additional pressure
What To Do When the Call Comes
- Hang up. You are not required to stay on the line. You are not required to explain yourself. Simply hanging up is the correct response — and it is always safe to do.
- Do not call back the number that called you. If you want to verify whether there is actually a matter to address, call the agency directly using a number from their official website (irs.gov, ssa.gov, medicare.gov) or from a physical piece of mail you have received from them.
- Tell someone. One of the scammer's primary goals is to keep you isolated and embarrassed. Tell a family member, friend, or trusted person about the call. A second opinion almost always reveals the scam immediately.
- Do not purchase gift cards. No government agency, court, or law enforcement body accepts payment in gift cards. Ever. If anyone — regardless of who they claim to be — asks for gift card payment, it is a scam.
- Report the call. File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-382-4357. You can also report IRS impersonation specifically at phishing@irs.gov.
The one rule that never fails: No government agency in the United States accepts payment in gift cards, prepaid debit cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer to resolve a legal matter. If someone demands this form of payment — it is a scam. Every single time.
If You've Already Sent Money or Shared Information
First — do not blame yourself. These scams are carried out by professionals who have refined their techniques through thousands of calls. Falling for one does not reflect on your intelligence or character.
- Gift cards: Call the card issuer immediately (the number is on the back of the card) and report fraud. Some issuers can freeze unused balances.
- Wire transfer: Contact your bank immediately to report the fraudulent transfer and request a recall.
- Personal information: Place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). Consider placing a credit freeze.
- Social Security number: Visit IdentityTheft.gov (the FTC's official resource) for step-by-step recovery instructions.
You are not alone: The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline (877-908-3360) provides free support and guidance to scam victims and their families, regardless of whether you have been victimized. Trained fraud specialists can help you understand your next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the caller ID actually shows a government agency number?
Caller ID can be spoofed to display any number or name — including official government phone numbers. Seeing "IRS" or "Social Security Administration" on your screen does not mean the call is legitimate. Always hang up and call the agency back using a number from their official website.
Can I just ask them to mail me the information instead?
Yes — and the response to this request reveals everything. A legitimate government agency will always be able to follow up in writing. A scammer will resist, escalate pressure, or claim that mailing information will "cause a delay that results in your arrest." That response confirms it's a scam.
How did they know my name and phone number?
Personal information including name, phone number, address, and even partial Social Security numbers are widely available through data breaches and data broker websites. Scammers purchase this data in bulk. Knowing your name does not mean the caller is legitimate.
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