Spot the Scam: Government-Impersonation

Scammers set up fake government websites and impersonate government employees to steal your personal information and your money.

Target:

• Personal information
• Your tax refund
• Money

Tactic:

• Instructs you to visit a website to “register” for a relief check or file a claim for clean energy, employee retention, fuel tax, or sick/family leave credits
• Steals your personal information and files your taxes and claims your refund
• Calls threatening financial penalties or imprisonment for not paying the IRS or other government fees and demanding immediate payment

Know This:

• Make sure you verify government benefits and websites before submitting personal information.
• Protect your personal information like you would your financial accounts.
• Government agencies do not demand immediate payment or threaten arrest by phone.