Government and tax impersonation

Check this example →

How it works

1. A call, text or email claims to be from a tax authority, social-security office, immigration, customs or the police.
2. You’re told you owe money, your identity has been used in a crime, or a benefit is suspended.
3. The caller threatens arrest, deportation or loss of money unless you act today.
4. Payment is demanded in a form that can’t be traced or reversed.

The tells

• Government bodies don’t threaten arrest by phone or text, and they don’t demand immediate payment by gift card, crypto or wire transfer.
• They don’t call to “verify” your full ID number or bank details.
• A request to stay on the line while you buy things.
• A caller ID that looks official. Numbers can be spoofed.

What the numbers say

Imposter scams, which include these, were the most reported kind of fraud in the FTC’s 2025 data, with more than a million reports and more than $3.5 billion reported lost.

What to do

• Hang up. Contact the agency using a phone number or website you find yourself.
• Never pay a “fine” or “tax” with gift cards, crypto or a wire transfer to someone who contacted you.
• If you gave your ID number or bank details: tell your bank, and use the identity-theft reporting service in your country.
• If you paid: contact the payment provider at once and report it to your national fraud agency.

Where to report it