Imposter scams

Imposter scammers pretend to be from the IRS or Social Security, a business, or a charity. They want you to trust them so they can steal your personal information and money.

Types of imposter scams

An imposter scammer may call, text, or email to convince you they are someone in authority. They may even use caller ID to make it look like they are calling from an official government or business' number. To commit identity theft, they try to get you to send money or a gift card or share personal information.

Learn about the top types of imposter scams:

Government imposter scams - Unless you contact them first, government agencies typically initiate communication with you by letter. Unexpected contact or demands through any other method may be a scam.
- IRS imposter scams - scammers pretend you owe the IRS money for taxes and may threaten legal action
- Social Security imposter scams - scammers claim there is a problem with your Social Security account or promise to increase your benefits
Charity scams - scammers pretend to be from a real or fake charity and try to get you to contribute
Grandparent scams - scammers pretend to be a grandchild or other relative who needs emergency financial help
Tech support scams - scammers tell you your computer’s security is at risk and try to remotely access your device and steal personal information or ask for payment
Scammers may also pretend to be from your bank or a company you do business with. You might be told you owe money or there is a problem with your account.

See examples of imposter scams, learn how they work, and how to recognize them from the Federal Trade Commission.