That call might be a fake federal agent.

Scam Number List explains how IRS, Social Security, Medicare and other government impersonation phone scams work, the pressure tactics they use, and where to report a call.

Illustration of a suspicious incoming call from an unknown government number

Browse by Impersonated Agency

Each impersonation scheme has a recognizable script and pressure tactic.

All Scam types →

Social Security Suspension

Social Security Administration

Caller claims your SSN has been suspended due to suspicious activity and asks you to verify it.

IRS Tax Debt

Internal Revenue Service

Aggressive caller claims you owe back taxes and demands immediate payment, usually in gift cards.

Medicare Card Fraud

Medicare / CMS

Caller targets seniors with claims that their Medicare card has expired or needs to be replaced.

Treasury / Stimulus

U.S. Treasury / IRS

Caller claims you are owed a federal stimulus or tax refund and need to pay a small fee to release it.

USPS / Postal Inspector

U.S. Postal Service / Postal Inspection Service

Calls or texts about an undelivered package, a redelivery fee, or a Postal Inspector investigation.

FBI / Federal Agent

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Caller claims to be an FBI or DEA agent investigating you for a crime you didn't commit.

Census / Federal Survey

U.S. Census Bureau

Caller posing as the U.S. Census Bureau requests financial details or your Social Security number.

Immigration / USCIS

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services / ICE

Caller threatens deportation and demands payment to "fix" an immigration status problem.

Court / Jury Duty

County Court / Sheriff

Caller claims you missed jury duty and a warrant has been issued for your arrest.

State Tax Agency

State Department of Revenue

Caller claims to be from a state revenue or franchise tax agency demanding immediate payment.

Browse by Fraud Tactic

Different Scams use the same handful of pressure techniques.

All tactics →

Arrest Warrant Robocalls

Robocalls and live calls that threaten the listener with imminent arrest unless they pay or comply.

Gift Card Payment Demands

Calls that demand payment in iTunes, Google Play, Steam, Apple, or other store gift cards.

Tax Debt Threats

Calls claiming you owe back taxes to the IRS or a state revenue agency.

Benefit Suspension Scams

Calls claiming your Social Security, Medicare, or other federal benefit has been suspended.

Wire Transfer Fraud

Calls demanding payment by wire transfer, MoneyGram, Western Union, Cash App or cryptocurrency.

Spoofed Caller ID Scams

Calls displaying a faked caller-ID line — often the name of a real federal agency or local police.

Where to Go Next

Read the safety guide for the warning signs of a government-impersonation call, see Call Trends for FCC complaint data, or find out how to report a scam call to the agencies that investigate them.