Don’t Be Fooled: How to Spot and Stop Government Imposter Scams
Minute Read
Scammers are good at making themselves look legitimate. They may claim to be from a government agency, law enforcement, your financial institution or a well-known technology company. They will often use fear and urgency to convince you to act before you have time to think.
Government imposter scams can take many forms but knowing the warning signs can help you protect your money and personal information.
What Is a Government Imposter Scam?
Government imposter scams occur when someone pretends to represent a government agency or another trusted organization to convince you to provide personal information or send money.
A scammer might claim some of the following scenarios:
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You missed jury duty and have a warrant for your arrest.
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Your Social Security number has been compromised.
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There is fraudulent activity on your account.
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Your identity is connected to a crime.
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You owe money or face a fine.
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Your computer has been hacked.
They may use official-sounding language, fake case numbers and even spoofed phone numbers to make the call seem legitimate.
The common thread is that they want you to panic and act quickly.
Watch Out for Cash Withdrawal Scams
One increasingly common tactic involves convincing victims to withdraw large amounts of cash from their own accounts.
Here’s how it usually works. The scammer may claim your money is at risk and tell you to withdraw it to keep it safe. From there, they may instruct you to:
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Hand the cash to a “courier” or another individual.
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Meet someone at a specific location to deliver the money.
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Deposit the cash into a Bitcoin or cryptocurrency ATM.
These scams can involve someone impersonating your financial institution, a government agency, law enforcement or a technology company.
For example, a scammer may claim you've missed jury duty and will face arrest unless you pay a fine in cash through a specific ATM. Or, someone posing as a technology company may claim your computer has been compromised and instruct you to move your money to protect it.
If someone tells you to withdraw cash or deposit money into a Bitcoin ATM to protect your funds, stop. It's a scam. Legitimate government agencies, law enforcement and financial institutions will never ask you to withdraw your money and hand it to a stranger or deposit it into a cryptocurrency ATM for safekeeping.
Red Flags to Watch For
Scammers may use different stories, but these warning signs are common:
Urgency or threats: They tell you that you must act immediately or face arrest, financial loss or another serious consequence.
Requests for unusual and non-refundable payments: They ask for cash, cryptocurrency, gift cards or wire transfers.
Requests for personal information: They ask for account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers or security codes.
Instructions to keep it secret: They may tell you not to talk to your financial institution, family members or anyone else.
How to Protect Yourself
If you receive a suspicious call or message:
Slow down. Don't let someone else's urgency become your emergency.
Don't move your money. Never withdraw, transfer or send funds based solely on instructions from an unexpected caller.
Hang up and verify. Contact the organization directly using a phone number from its official website or a statement—not a number provided by the caller.
Don't share personal information. Never provide passwords, security codes or financial information to an unexpected caller.
Talk to someone you trust. A second opinion can help you recognize when something doesn't seem right.
The FTC also offers more information on how to avoid these scams, which you can read here: How to Avoid a Government Impersonation Scam.
If You Think You've Been Scammed
If you've given a scammer personal or financial information, sent money or followed instructions to withdraw cash, contact Members 1st as soon as possible.
You can also report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Remember: When in Doubt, Stop and Verify
Whether someone claims you missed jury duty, owe a fine, face arrest or need to move money to keep it safe, pause before taking action. Don’t send money, share personal information or follow the caller’s instructions. Instead, end the conversation and contact the agency or organization directly using verified contact information.
At Members 1st, your financial safety matters to us. If you ever receive a suspicious message, call or email and aren’t sure what to do, give us a call or stop by a branch. We’ll help you sort it out—no judgment, no pressure.
We’re here to be your partner in everything financial, including helping you stay safe in a digital world.
