Protecting Seniors From Government Impersonation Scams: How to Spot, Prevent, and Report Fraud
- What Is a Government Impersonation Scam Targeting Seniors?
- How Do Government Impersonation Scams Work?
- Common Tactics in Government Impersonation Scams
- US Heat Map – Government Impersonation Scam Targeting Seniors (2024)
- 2025 Data Update — State Rankings
- Red Flags of a Government Impersonation Scam
- Why Are Seniors Targeted?
- How to Protect Yourself
- If You Suspect a Government Impersonation Scam
Government impersonation scams cost seniors $413 million in 2025, nearly doubling from the prior year. Over 8,600 older adults were victimized by criminals posing as IRS agents, Social Security officials, Medicare representatives, and law enforcement. This guide explains how government impersonation scams work, how to verify legitimate government communications, and what to do if you are targeted.
Already been scammed? Read our First 24 Hours Emergency Guide for critical steps to take immediately.
Not sure what a term means? Our Scam & Cybersecurity Glossary explains 77 common scam and cybersecurity terms in plain English.
2025 FBI IC3 Data Update: Government impersonation scams nearly doubled in losses. In 2025, seniors lost $413 million to scammers posing as government officials — up from $214 million in 2024 (+93%). Over 8,600 seniors were victimized. Fake calls from “Social Security,” “IRS,” and “Medicare” remain the primary tactics. See the updated state-by-state data below.
What Is a Government Impersonation Scam Targeting Seniors?
A government impersonation scam targeting seniors is a type of fraud where criminals pretend to be officials from government agencies (such as the Social Security Administration, IRS, Medicare, or local law enforcement) in order to trick older adults into sending money, revealing personal information, or sharing financial details. These scams exploit seniors’ respect for authority and fear of legal or financial trouble.
How Do Government Impersonation Scams Work?
Scammers may contact seniors by:
- Phone calls (“robocalls” or live calls)
- Letters or official-looking emails
- Text messages
- Pop-up alerts on computers
They often claim to be from agencies like:
- Social Security Administration (SSA)
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Medicare
- U.S. Marshals, FBI, or local police
Common messages include:
- “Your Social Security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity.”
- “You owe back taxes and must pay immediately to avoid arrest.”
- “There is a problem with your Medicare account; you must verify your information.”
- “You missed jury duty and must pay a fine to avoid jail.”
Scammers typically use threats of arrest, loss of benefits, or legal action to create fear and urgency, pressuring victims to act quickly.
Common Tactics in Government Impersonation Scams:
- Use of official-sounding language, fake badge numbers, or forged documents
- Caller ID “spoofing” to make it look like a real government number
- Demanding payment through untraceable methods (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency)
- Insisting on secrecy, urging victims not to talk to family or friends
US Heat Map – Government Impersonation Scam Targeting Seniors (2024)
2025 Data Update — Government Impersonation Scam Losses by State
Source: FBI IC3 2025 Annual Report. National total: $413,206,251 in losses from 8,628 senior victims. View all crime types on the national hub page.
| Rank | State / Territory | 2025 Loss | 2024 Loss | Change |
| 1 | California | $118,886,430 | $43,867,529 | +171% |
| 2 | Texas | $42,927,096 | $12,314,608 | +249% |
| 3 | New York | $30,654,073 | $14,771,954 | +108% |
| 4 | Florida | $24,984,669 | $8,230,216 | +204% |
| 5 | Illinois | $16,040,576 | $9,407,033 | +71% |
| 6 | Washington | $15,715,514 | $5,900,010 | +166% |
| 7 | Virginia | $14,600,318 | $6,754,487 | +116% |
| 8 | Michigan | $11,484,507 | $5,692,098 | +102% |
| 9 | South Carolina | $11,178,321 | $9,134,309 | +22% |
| 10 | Indiana | $10,920,023 | $2,265,961 | +382% |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $10,664,920 | $8,733,820 | +22% |
| 12 | New Jersey | $10,153,588 | $3,899,187 | +160% |
| 13 | North Carolina | $8,176,425 | $5,032,613 | +62% |
| 14 | Georgia | $8,159,101 | $6,913,124 | +18% |
| 15 | Ohio | $7,877,082 | $9,558,840 | -18% |
| 16 | Maryland | $7,581,628 | $3,148,819 | +141% |
| 17 | Colorado | $7,425,723 | $4,448,272 | +67% |
| 18 | Kansas | $7,261,224 | $584,210 | +1143% |
| 19 | Arizona | $6,692,640 | $5,604,144 | +19% |
| 20 | Nevada | $4,477,783 | $6,909,685 | -35% |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $4,426,146 | $3,500,307 | +26% |
| 22 | New Mexico | $4,128,342 | $912,252 | +353% |
| 23 | Missouri | $3,570,436 | $4,366,024 | -18% |
| 24 | Oregon | $3,053,374 | $4,240,736 | -28% |
| 25 | Massachusetts | $2,733,688 | $2,833,571 | -4% |
| 26 | Oklahoma | $2,697,000 | $1,045,810 | +158% |
| 27 | Kentucky | $2,545,860 | $2,248,787 | +13% |
| 28 | Minnesota | $2,509,444 | $1,700,339 | +48% |
| 29 | Alabama | $2,476,885 | $533,055 | +365% |
| 30 | Utah | $2,273,054 | $4,725,593 | -52% |
| 31 | Tennessee | $2,119,696 | $7,733,586 | -73% |
| 32 | South Dakota | $2,082,172 | $264,301 | +688% |
| 33 | Connecticut | $1,989,183 | $687,298 | +189% |
| 34 | Hawaii | $1,666,964 | $483,660 | +245% |
| 35 | Mississippi | $1,666,063 | $143,540 | +1061% |
| 36 | Rhode Island | $1,439,301 | $92,020 | +1464% |
| 37 | Montana | $1,284,033 | $294,940 | +335% |
| 38 | Arkansas | $1,215,374 | $1,047,559 | +16% |
| 39 | West Virginia | $1,189,120 | $804,125 | +48% |
| 40 | Idaho | $1,092,551 | $212,217 | +415% |
| 41 | Delaware | $1,070,568 | $187,370 | +471% |
| 42 | New Hampshire | $963,851 | $1,533,153 | -37% |
| 43 | Vermont | $961,949 | $623,501 | +54% |
| 44 | District of Columbia | $522,287 | $1,161,895 | -55% |
| 45 | Nebraska | $508,970 | $335,847 | +52% |
| 46 | Iowa | $431,400 | $822,716 | -48% |
| 47 | Louisiana | $363,341 | $1,122,021 | -68% |
| 48 | Alaska | $320,657 | $748,439 | -57% |
| 49 | Maine | $313,613 | $1,461,458 | -79% |
| 50 | Puerto Rico | $248,519 | $23,000 | +981% |
| 51 | Wyoming | $122,400 | $39,270 | +212% |
| 52 | North Dakota | $32,800 | $61,000 | -46% |
Red Flags of a Government Impersonation Scam:
- Unsolicited calls or messages claiming urgent legal or financial trouble
- Requests for payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
- Threats of immediate arrest, deportation, or loss of government benefits
- Pressure to act quickly and not consult anyone else
- Requests for personal information like Social Security number or bank account details
Why Are Seniors Targeted?
- Seniors may be more trusting of authority and less familiar with scam tactics
- Many rely on Social Security, Medicare, or other benefits and fear losing them
- Criminals hope to scare victims into quick action before they verify the claims
How to Protect Yourself:
- Remember: Real government agencies never demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
- The IRS, Social Security, Medicare, and law enforcement do not threaten arrest over the phone or demand personal details by email or text
- Never provide personal or financial information in response to unexpected contact
- If in doubt, hang up and call the agency directly using the number from their official website
- Talk to a trusted family member or friend before sending money or information
- You can follow our training to further enhance your knowledge and skills against government impersonation scam.
If You Suspect a Government Impersonation Scam:
- Hang up immediately and do not engage
- Do not send money or share personal information
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov), Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General (oig.ssa.gov), or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov)
- Notify your bank if money was sent or sensitive information was shared
State-Specific Government Impersonation Scam Resources
Find detailed government impersonation scam prevention guides and local reporting contacts for your state:
- California Romance Scam Resources – $44M lost by CA seniors
- Texas Romance Scam Resources
- Florida Romance Scam Resources
- New York Romance Scam Resources
- Arizona Romance Scam Resources
- Pennsylvania Romance Scam Resources
- Vermont Romance Scam Resources
View national elder fraud statistics | Find your state Attorney General