Before you respond
Government agency calls and messages
Learn government impersonation scam warning signs, including fake IRS, Social Security, Medicare, law enforcement, benefit, and agency messages before paying.
Reviewed June 10, 2026
Quick answer
A government agency call or message may be a scam if it threatens you, asks for payment right away, or says you must share personal information to avoid trouble.
Do not use the number or link in the message. Look up the agency yourself and contact it directly if you need to verify.
At a glance
Government impersonation scams use agency names, badges, benefits, warrants, taxes, Medicare, or Social Security stories.
- The message claims to be from the IRS, Social Security, Medicare, FTC, FBI, police, or a court.
- It threatens arrest, deportation, suspended benefits, fines, or legal action.
- It asks for gift cards, crypto, wire transfer, payment apps, or personal details.
Do not pay or share personal information because of an unexpected call or message.
How government impersonation scams sound official
Government impersonation scams use official-sounding names, threats, badges, case numbers, benefit warnings, or agency seals. The message may claim to be from the IRS, Social Security, Medicare, a court, police, the FTC, or the FBI. It may threaten arrest, suspended benefits, fines, deportation, or legal action.
The government will not demand gift cards, crypto, wire transfers, payment apps, or cash pickup to fix an urgent problem. It also will not call unexpectedly to sell Medicare plans or ask for your Medicare number. Verify through an official website you type yourself, and compare payment demands with gift card scam warning signs.
What it may look like
"Medicare notice: confirm your Medicare number today to keep your benefits and avoid a coverage problem."
Signs to slow down
- The message claims to be from the IRS, Social Security, Medicare, FTC, FBI, police, or a court.
- It threatens arrest, deportation, suspended benefits, fines, or legal action.
- It asks for gift cards, crypto, wire transfer, payment apps, or personal details.
- It asks for your Medicare number, offers a fake Medicare drug plan, or uses your information for medical identity theft or hospice fraud.
- It tells you not to contact anyone else or not to verify independently.
What to do next
- Do not pay or share personal information because of an unexpected call or message.
- Never share your Medicare number with someone who calls unexpectedly.
- Go directly to the official agency website you type yourself.
- Call a published agency number, not a number from the message.
- Report government impersonation attempts to ReportFraud.ftc.gov if appropriate.
How to report it
- Do not use phone numbers, links, or payment instructions from an unexpected government message.
- Report government impersonation attempts to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Contact the real agency through a published website or number if benefits, taxes, Medicare, or legal issues are mentioned.
How Olevo can help
Olevo can give you a calm second opinion before you respond.
Paste the message or describe the call. Olevo can help you check the pressure, payment request, and agency claim before you act.
Trusted sources
How To Avoid a Government Impersonation Scam
Federal Trade Commission
FTC guidance says government impersonators may contact people by call, email, text, or social media message.
Medicare fraud affects everyone, so here's what to know and do
Federal Trade Commission
FTC 2026 guidance warns against sharing a Medicare number with unexpected callers and explains fake Medicare plan and hospice fraud risks.
New trends in reports of imposter scams
Federal Trade Commission
FTC reporting shows imposter scams remain a major consumer problem, including toll messages.
Spoofing and Phishing
Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBI guidance explains that spoofing can disguise phone numbers, sender names, emails, and websites.
Common questions
Will a government agency call and demand payment right away?
Treat that as a warning sign. Verify through an official agency website or phone number before doing anything.
What if the caller knows my personal information?
That does not prove the call is real. Scammers may already have some information and use it to sound official.
Should I call the number they gave me?
No. Use an official website or a number you find yourself.
Will Medicare call or visit to sell me something?
No. The FTC says Medicare will not call or visit you at home to sell anything, and Medicare representatives only ask for information if you contact them first.
Will a government agency ask me to pay with gift cards or crypto?
No. A government caller or message demanding gift cards, crypto, wire transfer, payment apps, or cash is a scam warning sign.