Category
Impersonation scams
Reviewed reports filed as impersonation.
AllTextPhone callEmailFake shopJobInvestment & cryptoRomanceImpersonationTech supportDeliveryToll & billsSocial media
- Paid 'help' with VA benefits or a veteran's pensionScammers target service members and veterans with offers to speed up VA claims, increase benefits, or cash out a pension. Many of these pitches charge high fees or ask people to hand over login information they should never share.
- Fake Social Security COLA or benefit-increase feeAfter Social Security announced the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment, scammers began contacting people and offering to 'activate' the increase or raise payments for a fee. The COLA is automatic. You do not need to register or pay to receive it.
- Law enforcement or government official impersonation callScammers pretend to be U.S. or foreign law enforcement or government officials and accuse you of a crime. They demand money or personal information and may use spoofed numbers, fake credentials, or even AI video.
- Student-loan forgiveness or repayment help for a feeAfter federal student-loan repayment rules changed, scammers began offering quick forgiveness or special payment plans for a fee. Federal student loan programs do not charge you for that kind of help, and no private company can guarantee that your debt will be wiped out.
- Fake FBI IC3 recovery help or lookalike complaint siteAfter people lose money to a scam, criminals come back posing as the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center and offering to recover the funds. IC3 does not call, email, or message people, and it will never charge a recovery fee.
- Social Security imposter using a real employee name and fake badgeScammers have been using real Social Security or OIG employee names, fake badge photos, and social media profiles to look official. A real government employee will not send a badge picture or demand payment by gift card, gold, or crypto.
- AI-enabled IRS phone impersonationIRS phone scams now include computer-generated voices and caller ID that makes the call look official. The IRS generally contacts people by mail first and does not demand immediate payment or threaten arrest in a prerecorded call.