How to Spot Government Imposters
Imposter scams are costing Americans billions of dollars. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), scammers swindled more than $2.3 billion in 2021, almost double the amount seen in 2022.
Most scams begin with an unsolicited phone call, email, social media post, or text. The message is almost always urgent, requesting the victim act immediately. Imposters either claim there is an emergency requiring immediate attention, such as a compromised account or claim you have won a prize.
Regardless of the scam, the intent is the same – to separate you from your money. One of the most common imposter schemes is to impersonate a government official. The FTC reports that 40% of imposter fraud is someone posing as a Social Security, Medicare, or IRS official.
Fortunately, there are ways to spot government imposters and avoid getting scammed.
Don’t’ Stay on The Line – If you receive an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be a government official, hang up. Government agencies will not call you asking for personal information.
Don’t Press Numbers – If you receive a robocall and press a number on your phone, it may result in more calls later as pressing a number validates your phone number as being in working order.
Don’t Call Back – If you receive a call but a voicemail was not left, do not call the phone number displayed on your caller ID. Doing so will validate your phone number to the scammer and result in more phone calls.
Don’t Send Money – Never send money via wire transfer, cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to someone who says they are with the government. These forms of payment are nearly impossible to track.
Don’t Click Links – Do not click on links displayed in an email from someone you do not know personally. Emails from scammers often look like official communications. If you have any questions about a communication you receive, look up the agency phone number on your own and call to inquire about the message.
Don’t Give Personal Information – Never provide personal or financial information to someone who has called, emailed, or texted you. Instead, immediately contact the government agency to report the incident.
Don’t Be Threatened – The IRS and debt collectors who work on their behalf will never threaten to arrest you. However, if the person on the other line does, it is a clear sign they are a fraudster.
Keep yourself safe and be wary of communications from someone you don’t know. If you are ever suspicious of a phone call, email, text, or social media message, never hesitate to contact your police department.
If you ever receive a notice or call from your insurance company and aren’t sure if it is legitimate, reach out to me and I’ll help you track down the issue.
Featured Blogs
- Understanding Medicare and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance
- Spring fitness ideas
- Inspirational women who make the world a better place
- Creating a Positive Start to Your Day
- Spring Forward: Adjusting Your Routine for Daylight Saving Time
- Gratitude - Key to a Positive Mindset
- Adopting a Holistic Wellness Approach to a Healthier You
- 3 Common Sense Things People Should Know
- Exploring Superfoods: Nutrient-Packed Ingredients for a Healthy Diet
- Unraveling the Mystery of the Extra Day
- Digital Detox: A Healthy You in a Hyperconnected World
- Financial Fitness in 2024: Budgeting and Saving Tips
- Three Joyful Habits for a Healthier You in 2024
- New Year's Resolutions: Staying Committed Year Round
- The Magic of Christmas Traditions
- Staying Healthy During the Winter Months!
- How to be a Time Management Whiz During this Busy Season
- Self-care tips for December
- Mastering the Mind: Techniques for Better Memory and Cognitive Function
- The Art of Productive Procrastination: How to Make the Most of Downtime
- Eating for Energy: Foods that Boost Your Stamina and Productivity
- How to enjoy and celebrate chilly, gloomy days
- Thriving in Your Golden Years: Strategies for Aging Gracefully and Vibrantly
- Best Dog Breeds that Suit Your Needs
- Reduce Stress: Develop Patience
- DIY Delights: Creative Projects for Seniors
- Coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Long-term Health Benefits of Physical Activity
- How to Trim Down Hidden Costs of Flying
- Best foods for hydration
- How to Experience Positive Aging (8 Tips)
- How to Improve Your Health: The 5 Main Aspects of Wellness
- How much should you actually have in savings?
- Are you underinsured for your circumstances?
- How to Build Sustainable Wealth
- How to Maintain Our Body
- Enhancing Resilience as We Age
- The Body After 60: Overcoming Barriers to Exercise
- The best herbs to grow for beginners
- Foods you had no idea you could freeze
- Is celebrating your 100th birthday no longer a dream?
- Medicare and Medicaid: Dual eligibility
- Summer Workouts for Your Dose of Vitamin D
- Navigating Medicare Part D: A Comprehensive Guide to Prescription Drug Coverage
- What’s Keeping You from Losing Weight?
- Individual Health Insurance in 2023: Navigating Choices for Personalized Coverage
- Medicare in 2023: Advancements, Challenges, and the Future
- Music and Your Wellbeing
- Your NEW Social Security Statement
- How to Dispose of Unused Medications
- Smart Home Systems: Promoting a Comfortable Environment for Seniors
- Aging and Our Body’s Ability to Heal Itself
- Keeping Health Insurance After a Layoff
- Waking Up to the Impact of Insomnia
- How Life Insurance Benefits Women
- What experts say about raising the retirement age
- Coverage for healthcare treatment denied? Here's what you can do.
- Sharing the Road with Cyclists
- Buying Life Insurance for an Elderly Parent?
- Living Your Best Life After 60
- Buying Health Insurance: A Millennial’s Guide
- Self-Love Ideas for Valentine’s Day
- Life Without Clutter
- Ways You Can Spend Less on Gas
- 7 Myths About Your Back Pain
- Happy Hannukah!
- Five Health “Hacks” For Happy Holidays
- It’s Tax Season! Are You Ready?
- Commonly Asked Questions About Life Insurance
- February is American Heart Month: We want you to take it to heart
- Start the year with a review of your insurance coverage needs
- Apps to help you manage your time and productivity
- Making the most of an annual insurance review