Stop Government Impersonation Scams Targeting Texas Seniors

Texas seniors lost $12,314,608 to government impersonation scams in 2024. Scammers pose as the IRS, Social Security, Medicare, or Texas state agencies to frighten seniors into sending money.

Texas-Specific Government Impersonation Scams

Scammers impersonate these Texas agencies:

Texas DPS (Driver’s License Division): Threatening license suspension, demanding “reinstatement fees”
Texas Comptroller: Fake state tax threats and “audit” calls
Texas Health and Human Services: Threatening Medicaid or benefits termination
Texas Highway Patrol: Claiming warrants or outstanding violations
County Sheriff’s Offices: Claiming missed jury duty or outstanding warrants
Texas Workforce Commission: Fake unemployment fraud accusations

Border Region-Specific Scams

In South Texas border communities, scammers exploit immigration fears:

Fake ICE/CBP calls: Threatening immigration action against family members
Social Security “citizenship” scams: Claiming SSN is linked to “illegal activity”
Spanish-language IRS threats: Targeting Hispanic seniors with aggressive tax scam calls

Remember: Real ICE, CBP, and immigration agencies do NOT call demanding money.

What Real Government Agencies Will NEVER Do

Call and threaten immediate arrest
Demand payment by gift card or wire transfer
Ask for your full Social Security number over the phone
Threaten to suspend your Social Security number
Send police to your home if you do not pay immediately
Threaten deportation of family members over the phone

How to Verify Texas Agency Contacts

If someone claims to be from a Texas agency, hang up and call these official numbers:

Texas DPS: (512) 424-2600
Texas Comptroller: (800) 252-5555
Texas HHS: (877) 541-7905
Social Security: 1-800-772-1213
IRS: 1-800-829-1040
Medicare: 1-800-633-4227

Recent Texas Government Impersonation Scams

Fake Texas DPS Calls (2024): Thousands of Texans received robocalls claiming immediate license suspension unless “fines” were paid via gift cards. Texas DPS never calls demanding payment.

Harris County “Warrant” Scam: Callers claiming to be from Harris County Sheriff threatened arrest for missed jury duty, demanding immediate payment.

Border Region ICE Scams (Ongoing): In the Rio Grande Valley, scammers call Spanish-speaking seniors threatening immigration action, demanding thousands in “bond” payments.