Definition
Frauds where someone pretends to be a government agency, a business, a relative or a romantic interest to get your money or information.
What it means
In an imposter scam, the caller, texter or emailer claims to be someone you trust, such as the IRS, Social Security, immigration officials, your bank, a tech company or a family member in trouble. They often create urgency, threaten arrest or deportation, or promise prizes, and they ask you to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, payment apps or cash. The FTC reported that people lost $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025. Government agencies do not demand immediate payment by gift card or crypto, and caller ID can be faked. Hang up and contact the agency or company using a number you find yourself. Reports can be made at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and immigrants can verify immigration matters directly with USCIS.
Example
A caller says your Social Security number is suspended and asks for $2,000 in gift cards. That is a scam; Social Security numbers are not suspended this way, and gift card payments are almost impossible to recover.
Illustrative numbers only. Your situation will differ.