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high Riskimpersonation

AI Government Agency Impersonation

Scammers use AI-generated calls, emails, and websites impersonating the IRS, Social Security, immigration, and other agencies to steal money and personal information.

Last updated: January 5, 2025

What is this scam?

Criminals use AI to impersonate government agencies with realistic phone calls, official-looking emails, and fake websites. They claim you owe back taxes, your Social Security number is suspended, or you're facing arrest unless you pay immediately.

AI makes these scams more convincing with:

  • Natural-sounding voice calls that seem official
  • Fake caller IDs showing real government numbers
  • Professional websites that look identical to official ones
  • Personalized emails with your real information (from data breaches)

🔍How This Scam Works

  1. Initial contact: Robocall, text, or email claiming to be IRS, SSA, ICE, etc.
  2. Fear tactic: Threaten arrest, deportation, SSN suspension, or legal action
  3. Urgency: Demand immediate payment to avoid consequences
  4. Payment method: Request gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
  5. Personal info: Ask for SSN, bank account, or ID numbers
  6. Intimidation: May use real agent names found online to seem legitimate
  7. Follow-up: If you fall for it once, they'll target you again

🚩Red Flags to Watch For

  • •Government agency calls demanding immediate payment
  • •Threats of arrest, deportation, or SSN suspension
  • •Requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfer, or crypto
  • •Pressure to act immediately without time to verify
  • •Caller ID shows government agency (can be spoofed)
  • •Asks for personal info like SSN or bank account over phone
  • •Poor grammar or unusual phrasing in emails
  • •Links to websites with slightly misspelled URLs

🛡️How to Protect Yourself

  • 1Real IRS never calls to demand immediate payment or threaten arrest
  • 2Social Security never calls to suspend your number
  • 3Government agencies don't accept gift cards or cryptocurrency
  • 4Hang up and call the agency directly using official number from their website
  • 5Never give personal info to incoming callers
  • 6File your taxes on time to reduce IRS contact risk
  • 7Register for official government portals (IRS.gov account, SSA.gov)
  • 8Educate elderly relatives about these scams

📞If You've Been Targeted

If you've fallen for this scam:

  1. Stop all contact with the scammer
  2. Don't send more money - Scammers often follow up for additional payments
  3. Report to the real agency - IRS (800-366-4484), SSA (800-772-1213)
  4. Report to FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
  5. Report to FBI IC3 (ic3.gov)
  6. If you gave SSN: Place fraud alert on credit reports
  7. If you paid: Contact your bank/credit card/gift card company
  8. File police report - Needed for identity theft recovery
  9. Monitor credit reports - Watch for fraudulent accounts

Gift card payments: Contact the gift card company immediately - they may be able to freeze unused funds.

🌍Report & Get Help

Report fraud and get support through these official resources in your country:

🇺🇸United States

🇬🇧United Kingdom

🇨🇦Canada

🇦🇺Australia

  • Scamwatch

    Report ATO impersonation

  • ATO

    Verify tax office contact

    📞 1800 008 540

Learn More

View Guide →

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