What we verified in “Impostor calls: how to spot them and report them”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. According to the CFPB, impostors try to get you to send money or share account details by pretending to be from a government agency, a financial institution or another official organization; they may also pose as law enforcement and threaten you with legal consequences if you do not send money; caller ID, text messages and emails can be faked, and voices can be cloned; to protect yourself, it recommends calling the institution, company or agency at its official phone number or website to confirm whether there is a real problem; and scammers often ask for payment in ways that are hard to trace or recover, such as wire transfers, gift cards, mobile apps or cryptocurrency.

   Sources 1 · What are some common types of fraud and scams? (page last modified Aug. 31, 2026), introduction: 'They often ask for payment in ways that are hard to trace or recover, such as wire transfers, gift cards, mobile apps, or cryptocurrency'; 'Impostor scams': 'pretending to be from a government agency, financial institution, or other official organization'; 'Scammers might also pose as law enforcement and threaten you with legal consequences'; 'Remember that caller ID, text messages, and emails can be faked'; 'Voices can be cloned'; 'using the official phone number or website to confirm if there is a real problem' · Checked October 17, 2026

2. The CFPB explains that in a 'grandparent scam' someone calls claiming to be your grandchild or another relative who urgently needs money to get out of trouble; that artificial intelligence makes it easy for scammers to clone voices; that you should be careful if a caller insists on secrecy or says they need the money right away; and that you should contact your relative directly using a trusted phone number to verify the story.

   Sources 1 · What are some common types of fraud and scams?, 'Grandparent scams': 'urgently need money to get out of trouble'; 'Artificial intelligence (AI) has made it easy for scammers to clone voices'; 'Be careful if a caller insists on secrecy or says they need the money right away'; 'Contact your relative directly using a trusted phone number to verify the story' · Checked October 17, 2026

3. According to the CFPB, warning signs include someone who claims to be from the government, a financial institution, a business or someone you know and asks you to send money; who tells you to send money by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, payment apps, prepaid cards or gift cards; and who pressures you to act right away. It recommends not sharing numbers or passwords for accounts, credit cards or Social Security; not scanning QR codes or opening links from messages you do not recognize; asking for information in writing; never paying up front for a prize or offer; and putting your number on the National Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov or (888) 382-1222.

   Sources 2 · What are some classic warning signs of possible fraud and scams? (page last modified Aug. 31, 2026): 'Claims to be from the government, a financial institution, a business, or someone you know and asks you to send them money'; 'Tells you to send money using methods like wire transfers, cryptocurrency, payment apps, prepaid cards, or gift cards'; 'Pressures you to act right away'; 'Don’t share numbers or passwords for accounts, credit cards, or Social Security'; 'scan QR codes from messages you don’t recognize or trust'; 'Ask for information in writing and read it carefully'; 'Never pay up front for a prize or offer'; 'Put your number on the National Do Not Call Registry'; 'www.donotcall.gov'; '(888) 382-1222' · Checked October 17, 2026

4. The CFPB says real government agencies and financial institutions do not threaten you or ask you to send money to 'protect it', and do not tell you to withdraw cash, buy gift cards or use cryptocurrency to send money; that if you think you are a victim you should contact the FBI, the FTC, your state attorney general or your local police; that you can report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov; and that you should contact the police or sheriff using their nonemergency phone number or website.

   Sources 3 · Who do I contact for help with a scam or fraud? (page last modified Aug. 31, 2026): 'Real government agencies and financial institutions do not threaten you or ask you to send money to'; 'They do not tell you to withdraw cash, buy gift cards, or use cryptocurrency to send money'; 'contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), your state attorney general, or your local police'; 'Report the fraud or scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or FBI Internet Crimes Complaint Center at ic3.gov'; 'using their nonemergency phone number or website' · Checked October 17, 2026

5. USAGov explains that impostors can pretend to be from the IRS, the Social Security Administration, a business or a charity; that they may call, text, email or knock at your door, and even use caller ID to make it look like they are calling from an official government or business number; that unless you contact them first, government agencies typically start communicating with you by letter; that scammers may also pretend to be from your bank or a company you do business with; and that impostor scams are reported online to the FTC, and tax-related ones to the IRS.

   Sources 4 · Imposter scams (USAGov, last updated October 7, 2026): 'Imposters can pretend to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or Social Security Administration (SSA), a business, or a charity'; 'may call, text, email, or knock at your door'; 'They may even use caller ID to make it look like they are calling from an official government or business number'; 'Unless you contact them first, government agencies typically initiate communication with you by letter'; 'Scammers may also pretend to be from your bank or a company you do business with'; 'Report imposter scams online to the Federal Trade Commission'; 'Report tax related imposter scams to the Internal Revenue Service' · Checked October 17, 2026

6. USAGov's where-to-report-a-scam tool helps you find the best agency or organization to report a scam by asking a few questions, and it notes that if your issue is with a legitimate business that has wronged you, it may not be a scam but a complaint.

   Sources 5 · Learn where to report a scam (USAGov): 'helps you find the best agency or organization to report the scam'; 'If your issue is with a legitimate business that has wronged you, it may not be an actual scam' · Checked October 17, 2026

7. According to the IRS, a call, email or text is not from the IRS if it is unexpected, rushes you, threatens you, asks for personal or financial information or demands payment now; a social media direct message is never from the IRS; the IRS normally contacts you the first time by mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service; it emails and texts only when you opt in; unannounced visits are rare and it generally sends a letter first; only four types of IRS employees may visit your home or business; revenue officers, revenue agents and fuel inspectors carry an IRS-issued credential (pocket commission) and an HSPD-12 card that you can ask to see; payments to an officer are made out to 'United States Treasury'; and if you feel unsafe, call 911.

   Sources 6 · How to know it's the IRS (last reviewed or updated Sep. 30, 2026): 'isn’t from the IRS if it'; 'Is unexpected'; 'Rushes you'; 'Threatens you'; 'Asks for personal or financial information'; 'Demands payment now'; 'A social media direct message is never from us'; 'We normally contact you the first time by mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service'; 'We email only when you opt in'; 'We send text messages only when you opt in'; 'Unannounced visits are rare'; 'We generally send a letter before we visit'; 'Only four types of IRS employees may visit your home or business'; 'carry an IRS-issued credential (pocket commission) and HSPD-12 card'; 'You can ask to see both'; 'United States Treasury'; 'If you feel unsafe, call 911' · Checked October 17, 2026

8. The IRS says that it or private collection agencies may call you about account matters, but that it never calls to demand payment now, threaten arrest or tell you about a refund; if you get a suspicious call, record the number, hang up and report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) or call 800-366-4484; it never emails without your permission: if you get a suspicious email, do not reply, click links or open attachments, and send it to phishing@irs.gov; it does not text without your permission: forward a suspicious text to 7726 (SPAM); it never sends direct messages on social media; and reporting these contacts helps shut down scams.

   Sources 7 · Report fake IRS, Treasury or tax-related emails and messages (last reviewed or updated Jul. 30, 2026): 'You can help shut down scams and phishing attacks'; 'The IRS or private collection agencies may call you to address account matters'; 'We never call to demand payment now, threaten arrest or inform you of a refund'; 'record the number and hang up'; 'call 800-366-4484'; 'We never email without your permission'; 'Don’t reply, click links or open attachments'; 'Send the email to phishing@irs.gov'; 'We don’t send text messages without your permission'; 'Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM)'; 'We never send direct messages by social media' · Checked October 17, 2026

9. The IRS warns that scammers pose as the IRS and ask for gift cards as payment for a fake tax bill, and that the IRS never asks for or accepts gift cards as payment; that scammers call seniors pretending to be the IRS, Social Security or Medicare, pressure them for immediate action and ask for payment by wire transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency; and that you should hang up if you get a suspicious call.

   Sources 8 · Tax scams (last reviewed or updated Oct. 17, 2026), 'Gift cards' and 'Seniors': 'Scammers pose as the IRS and request gift cards as payment for a fake tax bill'; 'We never ask for or accept gift cards as payment'; 'Impersonate the IRS, Social Security Administration or Medicare'; 'Pressure for immediate action'; 'Ask for payment by wire transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency'; 'Hang up if you get a suspicious call' · Checked October 17, 2026

10. The IRS says that if you lost money or information to a scammer, you should immediately stop interacting with the scammer, not send money or share personal information, contact your financial institution and follow the steps on IdentityTheft.gov; that you can get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) to keep scammers from filing a tax return in your name; that if your Social Security number or ITIN was stolen, you should report it to IdentityTheft.gov and to the IRS; and that some scam victims get scammed again, so be cautious if someone offers to help you get your money back.

    Sources 9 · If you were scammed (last reviewed or updated Jun. 27, 2026): 'Immediately stop interacting with the scammer'; 'Don’t send money or share personal information'; 'Contact your financial institution'; 'Follow the steps on IdentityTheft.gov'; 'Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) to prevent scammers from filing a tax return in your name'; 'If your Social Security number (SSN) or individual tax identification number (ITIN) was stolen'; 'Some scam victims get scammed again'; 'Be cautious if someone offers to help you get your money back' · Checked October 17, 2026

11. TIGTA's complaint form lists, among the issues reported there, someone impersonating an IRS or Treasury employee, being threatened with immediate arrest if you did not pay your taxes, and being threatened with revocation of your driver license or suspension of your Social Security number if you did not make an immediate payment; it also takes reports by phone at 1-800-366-4484.

    Sources 10 · Submit a Complaint (TIGTA), 'IRS Scams and Fraud': 'Someone is impersonating an IRS or Treasury employee'; 'I was threatened with immediate arrest if I did not pay my taxes'; 'revocation of driver license, suspension of Social Security Number'; 'By phone: 1-800-366-4484' · Checked October 17, 2026

12. EOIR (the Justice Department's Executive Office for Immigration Review) warns that its employees will never call and ask for personal information or money; that all EOIR and USCIS forms are available for free on their websites; and that you can complain about fraud, immigration scams and the unauthorized practice of immigration law to its Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program by emailing EOIR.Fraud.Program@usdoj.gov.

    Sources 11 · Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program (EOIR): 'EOIR employees will never call and ask for personal information or money'; 'all EOIR and USCIS forms are available for free on our websites'; 'complaints about issues of fraud, immigration scams, and the unauthorized practice of immigration law'; 'by emailing EOIR.Fraud.Program@usdoj.gov' · Checked October 17, 2026

13. EOIR warned of calls that spoofed the main line of the Arlington Immigration Court on caller ID; the callers posed as EOIR employees, said the person's Social Security number had been compromised and asked for money; EOIR says its personnel do not call people about Social Security numbers or to request money, that you should never give out personal information over the phone to people you do not know, and that if you have a question about your immigration court case you should call its Automated Case Information Hotline at 1-800-898-7180 or use its Automated Case Information System.

    Sources 12 · EOIR Warns of Scammers Spoofing Agency Phone Number (August 3, 2022): 'calls that spoof the Arlington Immigration Court'; 'advise individuals that their social security number has been compromised and request money from the victims'; 'EOIR personnel do not call individuals regarding social security numbers or to request money'; 'Never give out your personal information over the phone to individuals you do not know'; 'call the Automated Case Information Hotline at 1-800-898-7180, or visit the Automated Case Information System' · Checked October 17, 2026

14. EOIR says anyone can file a complaint about fraud, scams or the unauthorized practice of law with its Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program; that you should be as specific as possible, including dates, addresses and other identifying information; and that you should include any evidence you have, such as receipts, contracts or advertisements.

    Sources 13 · Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program: How to File a Complaint: 'Anyone can file a complaint about fraud, scams, or the unauthorized practice of law'; 'Please be as specific as possible, including dates, addresses, and other identifying information'; 'Examples of evidence include receipts, retainer agreements, contracts, advertisements' · Checked October 17, 2026

15. EOIR publishes a List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers, with nonprofit organizations and attorneys who have committed to providing free legal services before the immigration court where they are listed, and maintains the roster of Recognized Organizations and Accredited Representatives; EOIR notes that it does not endorse any of these organizations.

    Sources 14 · List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers (EOIR): 'contains information on non-profit organizations and attorneys who have committed to providing at least 50 hours per year of pro bono legal services'; 'EOIR maintains the List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers and roster of Recognized Organizations and Accredited Representatives'; 'EOIR does not endorse any of these organizations' · Checked October 17, 2026

16. The New York Attorney General warned of scammers who impersonate utility customer service representatives, urge customers to buy gift cards and call back with the serial numbers to pay a supposed overdue bill, and threaten to cut off service; people who are contacted do not necessarily have overdue bills; utility providers do not call and threaten to shut off service if an immediate payment is not made and do not accept gift cards as payment; and scammers spoof utility phone numbers to look legitimate, so you should not disclose banking or personal information over the phone even if caller ID shows the utility's number.

    Sources 15 · Consumer Alert: Attorney General James Warns Consumers to Remain Vigilant Against Rise in Telephone Scams (New York Attorney General, June 15, 2021): 'impersonate a utilities customer service representative and urge customers to buy gift cards and call back with the serial numbers'; 'Consumers who are contacted do not necessarily have delinquent or outstanding bills'; 'do not call and threaten to shut off service if an immediate payment is not made'; 'Utility providers also do not accept gift cards as a form of payment'; 'never disclose their banking information or other personal identifiable information over the phone'; 'even if their caller ID displays a number belonging to a certain utility provider'; 'utility phone numbers to appear more legitimate' · Checked October 17, 2026

17. The FDIC explains that in bank impersonation scams, scammers pretend to be from a bank and request your personal information, often with a text that looks like a bank security message and creates a sense of urgency, for example asking you to verify a large purchase you did not make; it recommends calling your bank directly at a number you are familiar with, like the one on your debit or credit card, not clicking links in the message, and contacting the FDIC before you provide any information when something does not seem right; it also warns that some fake bank websites use the FDIC name, that you can check a bank in the FDIC's BankFind tool, and that you can call 1-877-ASK-FDIC (1-877-275-3342).

    Sources 16 · Bank Impersonation Scams and Fake Banks (FDIC, June 2025): 'scammers pretend to be from a bank and request your personal information'; 'looks like a bank security message and tries to create a sense of urgency'; 'verify a large purchase you didn’t make'; 'call your bank directly, using a phone number that you are familiar with, like the number provided on your debit or credit card'; 'do not click on any links in the message'; 'contact the FDIC before you provide any information when something does not seem right'; 'fake bank websites fraudulently use the FDIC name'; 'FDIC BankFind Suite'; '1-877-275-3342' · Checked October 17, 2026

18. The FDIC describes scams in which fake lenders convince you by phone or online to apply for a low-interest mortgage loan, collect information such as your Social Security and bank account numbers, accept the 'loan' immediately and have you send documents and wire transfer payments without ever meeting the lender, putting you at risk of identity theft; it also warns of people posing as mortgage brokers or lenders offering to 'refinance' your loan whose documents actually transfer your deed; and it says that demanding a fee in advance is a warning sign.

    Sources 17 · Mortgage Scams (FDIC), 'Internet and Phone Scams', 'Refinance Scams' and 'Warning Signs': 'Some scam lenders convince you to apply for a low-interest mortgage loan on the phone or Internet'; 'the loan is immediately accepted'; 'sending wire transfer payments to the phony company without even meeting the lender'; 'putting you at risk of identity theft'; 'look out for people posing as mortgage brokers or lenders and offering to refinance your loan'; 'documents are actually deed transfer documents'; 'Demands a fee in advance' · Checked October 17, 2026