Protecting Vermont Seniors from Government Impersonation Scams

In 2024, Vermont seniors lost $623,501 to government impersonation scams. These frightening scams use fear and authority to pressure victims into immediate payment. This guide will help you recognize fake government contacts and protect yourself.

Vermont Agencies Commonly Impersonated

Scammers pretend to be from these Vermont-specific agencies:

  • Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles – claiming license suspension
  • Vermont Department of Taxes – threatening arrest for unpaid state taxes
  • Green Mountain Care (Vermont Health Connect) – threatening loss of coverage
  • Vermont State Police – claiming warrants or legal issues
  • Vermont Electric Co-op or GMP – threatening power shutoff

How to Verify Vermont Agency Contacts

If someone claims to be from a Vermont agency, hang up and call directly:

  • Vermont DMV: (802) 828-2000
  • Vermont Dept of Taxes: (802) 828-2865
  • Vermont Health Connect: (855) 899-9600
  • Vermont State Police: (802) 244-8727

Recent Vermont Impersonation Scams

Fake DMV Calls (2024): Seniors across Vermont received calls claiming their license was suspended due to “unpaid fines.” The caller demanded iTunes gift cards for “reinstatement.” The real VT DMV never requests payment this way.

GMP Power Shutoff Scam (2023): Scammers called claiming immediate payment was needed to prevent power shutoff, targeting seniors during winter months when the threat seemed most urgent.

Government Agencies Commonly Impersonated

Scammers frequently pretend to be from:

  • Social Security Administration (SSA) – claiming your number is suspended
  • Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – threatening arrest for unpaid taxes
  • Medicare – requesting your Medicare number for a new card
  • FBI or Law Enforcement – claiming you are under investigation
  • Immigration (ICE/USCIS) – threatening deportation
  • Vermont State Agencies – DMV, tax department, courts
  • Local Police or Sheriff – claiming warrants for your arrest

How These Scams Work

Government impersonation scams follow a pattern designed to create panic:

  1. Urgent call or message claiming to be from a government agency
  2. Caller ID appears legitimate (but is spoofed/faked)
  3. Claim of serious problem – suspended benefits, arrest warrant, tax debt
  4. Threats of immediate consequences – arrest, deportation, loss of benefits
  5. Demand for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
  6. Instructions to stay on the line while you get payment
  7. Warnings not to tell anyone about the call

Common Threats Scammers Use

  • “Your Social Security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity”
  • “There is a warrant for your arrest for unpaid taxes”
  • “Your Medicare benefits will be terminated unless you verify your information”
  • “You will be arrested within the hour if you do not pay”
  • “Police are on their way to your home right now”
  • “Your bank accounts will be frozen”
  • “You owe back taxes and must pay immediately to avoid jail”

What Real Government Agencies Do

Real government agencies will NEVER:

  • Call threatening immediate arrest
  • Demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
  • Ask you to stay on the phone while you get payment
  • Tell you to keep the call secret from family
  • Threaten to suspend your Social Security number
  • Call and demand your Medicare number

Real government agencies WILL:

  • Send official letters by mail first
  • Give you time to respond or appeal
  • Accept payment through official channels
  • Have verifiable contact information
  • Allow you to call back at the official number

How to Verify Any Government Contact

  1. Hang up immediately – do not engage with the caller
  2. Do not call back the number they gave you
  3. Look up the official number yourself from the agency website or your benefits card
  4. Call the agency directly to ask if there is a real issue

Official Agency Phone Numbers:

  • Social Security: 1-800-772-1213
  • IRS: 1-800-829-1040
  • Medicare: 1-800-633-4227
  • Vermont DMV: (802) 828-2000
  • Vermont Tax Department: (802) 828-2865

Vermont-Specific Scams Reported

Vermont residents have reported scammers impersonating:

  • Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
  • Vermont Tax Department
  • Vermont State Police
  • Local county sheriff offices
  • Vermont courts claiming missed jury duty

Remember: Vermont state agencies follow the same rules – they will not call demanding immediate payment or threatening arrest.

If You Have Been Targeted

  1. Hang up or delete the message
  2. Do not call back the number provided
  3. Report to FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
  4. Report to the actual agency being impersonated
  5. Vermont Attorney General: (800) 649-2424
  6. If you sent money, contact your bank immediately

Report Impersonation to Real Agencies

Free Training Available

Take our free online course to learn more about protecting yourself from government impersonation scams:

→ Start Government Impersonation Training (Module 3)

← Back to all Vermont Senior Fraud Resources