'This is the IRS, the FBI, the police.' Is it really?
A scam if they demand payment or personal information: the FBI says officials never contact the public by phone or text to demand payment, and never ask for prepaid cards, crypto or a courier.
The check
Answer these honestly. A single "yes" to a warning sign is enough to stop.
- Are they demanding payment, or personal information, by phone or text?The FBI says officials never contact the public by phone or text to demand payment or ask for personal or sensitive information.
- Do they want gift cards, crypto, a wire, a payment app, cash or a courier?The FBI and FTC say no government agency asks for payment by prepaid card, cryptocurrency, wire, payment app or courier.
- Are you being threatened with arrest, a fine or losing your benefits or license?The FBI lists threats of arrest, fines or license loss as red flags, and the FTC says Social Security will never threaten you, suspend your number or demand payment.
- Are you told to stay on the line and keep it secret?The FBI says these callers stay on the phone throughout and tell victims not to contact family, friends, banks or police.
- Does caller ID, a badge photo or an official-looking letter prove it?No. Caller ID can be faked, and the FTC says scammers use doctored ID badges and official-looking letters.
- Is a link taking you to a site that doesn't end in .gov?The FBI warns about links that mimic official sites with slight spelling changes or a .com address.
If it's happening right now
Hang up. Don't pay and don't give any numbers. Look up the agency's official contact details yourself and call it, not a number the caller gave you. If you paid or shared information, call your bank now and report it.
How this scam works
A call, text or email says you're from the IRS, Social Security, Medicare, the FBI, a court or the local police. Caller ID may show a real agency number.
You're told you're accused of a crime, missed jury duty, owe taxes, or that your benefits, Social Security number, passport or license is at risk.
They may cite a badge number, send a photo of an ID, or appear on a video call in uniform, and use your name and address to seem real.
They keep you on the line, tell you not to talk to family, your bank or the police, and demand payment by gift card, wire, crypto, cash at a crypto kiosk or a courier.
Some say your money isn't safe and must be moved. Once you pay, more 'fees' follow.
What AI changes
The FBI said in September 2026 that scammers use AI to appear as law enforcement or government officials on video calls, and in July 2026 that deepfake videos of a senior FBI leader were steering victims to a fake complaint site. The IRS says AI-enabled impersonation by phone, including voice mimicry and spoofed caller ID, is increasing.
What to do, step by step
- Stop all contact.Hang up or stop replying. On a robocall, don't press any numbers, the FTC says.
- Check with the real agency.Use contact details you find yourself. The FTC says the IRS contacts you by mail first, and you can check your IRS account online or call the IRS at 800-829-1040; for Medicare, call 1-800-633-4227.
- If you paid, call your bank or payment company now.The FBI says to notify your financial institutions. See the FTC's 'What To Do if You Were Scammed' for each payment type.
- If you shared your Social Security or bank numbers, protect your identity.The FTC points people to IdentityTheft.gov for recovery steps.
- Keep the evidence and report it.Save phone numbers, messages and payment records. Report to local police and the FBI at ic3.gov, and to the FTC. If you're 60 or over, the Elder Justice Hotline (1-833-372-8311) can help you file with the IC3.
How big this is
Real cases
- United States. The FBI warned that scammers posing as police and officials, sometimes using AI on video calls, fake uniforms or mock government offices, demand payment through prepaid cards, couriers, wires, crypto or cash at crypto kiosks. (FBI IC3)
- United States. The FBI warned of deepfake videos of a senior FBI leader urging people to file complaints on a fake IC3 website, and of fake 'agents' contacting scam victims on social media. (FBI IC3)
- United States. The IRS said AI-enabled IRS impersonation by phone, including robocalls, voice mimicry and spoofed caller ID, was increasing during tax season. (PBS News (AP))
- West Virginia. The state Attorney General's office said it received a report of a deepfake ad using the likenesses of President Trump and RFK Jr. to promote 'social security benefits'. (West Virginia Attorney General)
Where to report it
- The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov (type it in yourself; avoid sponsored search results)
- The FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Social Security scams: the SSA Inspector General: oig.ssa.gov
- IRS scams: the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration: tigta.gov
- Your local police: use the non-emergency number you look up yourself
Questions people ask
Does the IRS ever call?
The FTC says the IRS won't call about taxes without first contacting you by mail, and never sends threats by email, text or social media. Its private debt collectors call only after you've had two letters, and never take payment over the phone.
Can Social Security suspend my number?
No. The FTC says Social Security will never threaten you, suspend your Social Security number or demand payment.
The caller ID showed a real government number. Is it real?
Not necessarily. The FBI says scammers spoof real phone numbers, employee names and agency credentials. Hang up and call the agency on a number you look up.
They were on a video call in uniform. Could that be fake?
Yes. The FBI says scammers use AI to appear as officials on video calls, and some wear fake police uniforms or use mock government offices.
An 'FBI agent' says they can get back money I lost. Is that real?
No. The FBI says the IC3 never contacts people directly by phone, email or social media and never asks for payment to recover funds.
Related
- Is this call from my bank's fraud team a scam? →
- AI voice clone scam call: what to do right now →
- Can someone really get my scammed money back for a fee? →
- AI scam texts: how to spot them and what to do (2026) →
Sources
- FBI IC3: Scammers impersonating law enforcement and government officials (PSA I-091726, Sep 17, 2026)
- FBI IC3: FBI warns of scammers impersonating the IC3 (PSA I-072026, Jul 20, 2026)
- FBI IC3: Criminals use generative AI to facilitate financial fraud (PSA I-120324, Dec 3, 2024)
- FTC: How to avoid a government impersonation scam
- Social Security blog (by FTC staff): Is that call from the government... or a scammer? (Sep 25, 2026)
- FTC: Data show people reported losing $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025 (Jun 15, 2026)
- PBS News / AP: Tax scams are up this season (Mar 16, 2026)
- West Virginia Attorney General: Top scams reported for March 2026
- FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed
Spot an error or something out of date? Tell us; corrections are made and logged. Written with AI assistance from public sources; every fact checked and approved by Colin Balfe. General information, not legal, medical or financial advice.