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    3 min read 4 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Recognize Government Imposter Scams (SSA, IRS, Medicare)

    Scammers pretend to be from the Social Security Administration, IRS, or Medicare to steal money — here's how to tell the real from the fake.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Safety & Privacy
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    3 min read
    Steps
    4
    Topics covered
    scam
    government imposter
    SSA
    IRS
    Medicare
    fraud

    In this guide (4 steps):

    1. 1.Know what real government agencies will never do
    2. 2.Recognize the specific scams
    3. 3.What to do when you get a suspicious call
    4. 4.Report the call to the FTC and OIG
    1

    Know what real government agencies will never do

    ~33s
    The IRS, Social Security Administration, and Medicare will never: call and demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, Zelle, or cryptocurrency; threaten to arrest you if you don't pay right now; ask you to confirm your Social Security number or bank account information over the phone in an unsolicited call; send someone to your home to collect payment; or send threatening emails asking you to click a link to avoid penalties.

    Warning

    Scammers have technology that makes caller ID show the actual phone numbers of the IRS or SSA. A real-looking caller ID does NOT confirm the call is legitimate.

    2

    Recognize the specific scams

    ~23s
    Common government imposter scripts: "Your Social Security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity — press 1 to speak with an officer." "You owe back taxes and a warrant has been issued for your arrest — call right away." "Your Medicare benefits have been suspended — we need to verify your card number." "Your SNAP/Medicaid benefits are at risk — confirm your information now." All of these are scams.
    3

    What to do when you get a suspicious call

    ~22s
    Hang up. Do not press 1 or any other number, which can connect you to a scammer or confirm your number is active. If you're worried the call might be real, hang up and call the agency back at their official number: SSA: 1-800-772-1213 | IRS: 1-800-829-1040 | Medicare: 1-800-633-4227. These numbers are on the official websites ssa.gov, irs.gov, and medicare.gov.
    4

    Report the call to the FTC and OIG

    ~29s
    Report SSA impersonation scams to the Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report. Report IRS scams at reportphishing.antiphishing.org. Report all government imposter scams to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you sent money or gave information, also contact your bank and place a fraud alert on your credit reports at equifax.com, transunion.com, and experian.com.

    Quick Tip

    The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 1-877-908-3360 is free and available to anyone. If you're unsure whether a call or letter is real, call AARP's helpline before taking any action.

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    Government imposter scams are one of the most common types of fraud aimed at older adults. Scammers call or email pretending to be from the Social Security Administration, the IRS, Medicare, or another government agency. They threaten you with arrest, suspended benefits, or big fines unless you pay right away. The calls and emails can look and sound very convincing. But they are always fake.

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    scam
    government imposter
    SSA
    IRS
    Medicare
    fraud

    Official Resources

    FTC Consumer ProtectionCISA — Cybersecurity TipsAARP Fraud Watch Network

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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