Scam calls
Fake FTC and IRS calls: how government impersonation scams work
The short answer
Government agencies don’t call, email, or text to ask you for money. They never ask you to pay with a gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or payment app (FTC).
If someone says they’re from the FTC, IRS, or another agency and wants money or personal details, hang up. Then contact the agency yourself at a number from its official website.
How big the problem is
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received 32,424 government impersonation complaints in 2025, with $797,943,193 in reported losses (FBI IC3). People 60 and older filed 8,628 of those complaints and reported $413,206,251 in losses (FBI IC3).
Fake FTC calls
- The FTC doesn’t have ‘agents’ with badge numbers who call people, and it will never tell you to move your money (FTC).
- The FTC will never tell you to move money to a Bitcoin ATM or buy gold bars (FTC).
- Real FTC refunds come by check, prepaid card, or PayPal, and you never have to pay to get one (FTC).
Fake IRS calls
- The IRS usually contacts you first by letter, not by phone, email, text, or social media (IRS).
- The IRS doesn’t threaten to have you arrested or demand payment by gift card or prepaid card (IRS).
- To check whether the IRS really needs something from you, use the IRS’s own guide, How to know it’s the IRS.
Why caller ID doesn’t help
Scammers can make caller ID show a real agency name or phone number (FTC). A familiar name on your screen is not proof.
What to do during the call
- Hang up. You won’t get in trouble for ending a call.
- Don’t give out your Social Security number, bank details, or any codes.
- Look up the agency yourself and call that number if you’re worried.
- Talk to someone you trust before you move any money.
If you already paid or shared information
- Paid with a gift card: contact the card company right away and keep the card and receipt (FTC). See gift card scams.
- Sent a wire or used a payment app: call your bank or the app’s support right away.
- Shared your Social Security number: go to IdentityTheft.gov and consider a credit freeze.
- Someone calls offering to get your money back for a fee: that’s a second scam. The FTC says no real agency charges to recover your money (FTC).
Report the call at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For more warning signs, see is this a scam? and Medicare scam calls.
Common questions
Does the FTC call people?
The FTC doesn’t have agents who call to demand money, and it will never tell you to move money (FTC). If someone claiming to be from the FTC asks for money, it’s a scam.
Will the IRS call me?
The IRS usually starts with a letter in the mail. It doesn’t threaten arrest and never asks for gift cards (IRS).
The caller knew my name and address. Is it real?
Not necessarily. Scammers often have personal details from data breaches, and caller ID can be faked (FTC). Hang up and call the agency yourself.
Can government agencies ask for payment by gift card?
No. The FTC says agencies never ask you to pay with a gift card, wire transfer, crypto, or payment app (FTC).
Someone says they can recover the money I lost. Is that real?
Be very careful. Recovery offers that ask for an upfront fee are a common follow-up scam (FTC).
This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. If money already left your account, call your bank or card company first.