Stop Government Impersonation Scams Targeting California Seniors
California seniors lost $43,867,529 to government impersonation scams in 2024. Scammers pose as the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or law enforcement to frighten seniors into sending money or revealing personal information.
California-Specific Government Impersonation Scams
California seniors lost $43.8 million to scammers posing as government officials. These California-specific impersonations are common:
- California DMV: Scammers claim license suspension, demand payment to “reinstate”
- Franchise Tax Board (FTB): Fake California state tax threats and “audit” calls
- Covered California: Threatening loss of health coverage unless “fees” are paid
- California EDD: Fake unemployment fraud accusations demanding repayment
- CalPERS: Targeting state retirees with fake pension “verification” calls
How to Verify California Agency Contacts
If someone claims to be from a California agency, hang up and call these official numbers:
- California DMV: (800) 777-0133
- Franchise Tax Board: (800) 852-5711
- Covered California: (800) 300-1506
- EDD: (800) 300-5616
- CalPERS: (888) 225-7377
Recent California Government Impersonation Alerts
FTB “Audit” Calls (2024): Scammers called claiming to be California Franchise Tax Board, threatening arrest for unpaid state taxes. Demanded Google Play gift cards.
Fake CalPERS Letters (2023): Retirees received official-looking letters claiming pension “overpayments” required immediate refund. Real CalPERS confirmed these were fake.
Government Agencies Commonly Impersonated
- Social Security Administration (SSA) – claiming your number is suspended or linked to a crime
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – threatening arrest for unpaid taxes
- Medicare – offering fake benefits or claiming your coverage is at risk
- FBI/DEA/Law Enforcement – claiming a warrant exists for your arrest
- California DMV – threatening license suspension
- California Franchise Tax Board – claiming state tax issues
Common Threats Scammers Use
Scammers create fear and urgency with threats like:
- “Police are on their way to arrest you”
- “Your Social Security number has been suspended”
- “You owe back taxes and will go to jail today”
- “Your Medicare benefits are being canceled”
- “Your bank accounts will be frozen”
What Real Government Agencies Will NEVER Do
Legitimate government agencies will NEVER:
- Call and threaten immediate arrest
- Demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
- 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
- Ask you to verify personal information through unsolicited calls
Step-by-Step: How to Verify Any Government Contact
Step 1: Hang Up Immediately
If you receive a threatening call claiming to be from a government agency, hang up. Do not engage or argue with the caller.
Step 2: Find the Official Number
Look up the agency’s official phone number yourself – do NOT use any number the caller provided.
- Social Security: 1-800-772-1213
- IRS: 1-800-829-1040
- Medicare: 1-800-633-4227
- California Franchise Tax Board: 1-800-852-5711
- California DMV: 1-800-777-0133
Step 3: Call to Verify
Call the official number and ask if they were trying to contact you. In almost every case, they were not.
California-Specific Government Impersonation Scams
Scammers also impersonate California state agencies:
- California DMV: Fake calls about license renewal or suspension
- Franchise Tax Board: Threats about state tax debts
- EDD (Employment Development): Fake unemployment benefit issues
- Local Sheriff’s Office: Fake warrant or jury duty threats
Report Government Impersonation Scams
Report these scams to protect others:
- SSA Scams: oig.ssa.gov/report
- IRS Scams: [email protected]
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- California AG: (800) 952-5225
Free Training: Learn to Spot Government Impersonation Scams
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