Government Impersonation Scams Are On The Rise

Scammers are getting more convincing by pretending to be people in positions of authority. Across the country, fraudsters have been posing as prosecutors, FBI agents, law enforcement officers and other government officials in an attempt to scare people into sending money or sharing personal information. Because these calls can sound serious and urgent, many people feel pressured to act quickly before realizing it’s a scam.
 
The goal is almost always the same: to create fear and urgency so you panic before thinking things through. Victims are often told they must pay immediately using cryptocurrency, wire transfers, gift cards, or other difficult-to-trace payment methods. In some cases, scammers may also ask for sensitive personal or financial information.

How Government Impersonation Scams Work  

1. You Receive a Call, Text or Email From a “Government Official”: The scam often starts with someone claiming to be from the FBI, a prosecutor’s office, local law enforcement, the Social Security Administration, or another government agency. They may sound professional and use official titles, case numbers, or legal language to appear legitimate.  
2. They Claim There Is a Serious Problem: Scammers may say you missed jury duty, are connected to criminal activity, owe money, or are under investigation. The message is designed to make the situation feel urgent and frightening so you react emotionally instead of carefully thinking through the situation.   
3. You’re Pressured to Act Immediately: The caller may tell you that you must make a payment right away to avoid arrest, legal action, or frozen accounts. They often insist on unusual payment methods like cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or gift cards because those payments are difficult to recover once sent.
4. They Try to Keep You From Verifying the Story: Scammers may tell victims not to contact anyone else, hang up the phone, or speak with their financial institution. Some will even stay on the line while directing victims to withdraw money or transfer funds. This is done to prevent people from realizing the situation is fraudulent.

How to Protect Yourself 

1. Slow Down and Verify: Government agencies and law enforcement officials will not demand immediate payment over the phone or threaten arrest if you do not pay instantly. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact the agency directly using an official phone number from their website.   
2. Be Careful With Payment Requests: Requests for payment through cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps are major red flags. Legitimate government agencies do not ask for payments in these forms.   
3. Do Not Share Personal Information: Never provide account numbers, online banking credentials, Social Security numbers, or other sensitive information to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.   
4. Talk to Someone You Trust: Scammers rely on panic and isolation. If something feels suspicious, pause and speak with a trusted family member, friend, or financial institution before taking action.

Scammers often use fear and authority to pressure people into making quick decisions. Knowing that government agencies and law enforcement will not demand immediate payment or threaten arrest over the phone can help you recognize the warning signs before it’s too late.

If you think you may have inadvertently shared your personal information with a scammer, please reach out to us right away. You can call us at (805) 733-7600, visit your nearest branch, send a secure message through mobile or online banking, or use the phone number on the back of your debit or credit card.