CNext Blog

Don't Get Played: Outsmart Government Imposter Scammers

Scammers are still out here playing games—and too many people are falling for it.

According to the 2024 Internet Crime Report, the number of victims who reported government imposter scams to the FBI jumped more than 50 percent from 2022 to 2024. These scammers are pretending to be from the government - IRS, Social Security, Medicare, even fake court officials. And these aren’t small-time tricks, either- the total reported losses from these impersonation scams was over $405 million. The scammers count on fear, confusion, and urgency to pull one over on you. But don’t get played.

Common Plays Scammers Use:

• “You missed jury duty and owe a fine—or we’re sending the cops.”
• “You owe back taxes—pay now or face arrest or deportation.”
• “Your Social Security or Medicare benefits are suspended due to office closures.”
•  “There’s an issue with your tax return—verify your identity.”

Every one of these lines is a scam. Let that sink in. The real government will never threaten you over the phone, ask for gift cards, or demand payment via Cash App, Zelle, Venmo, or crypto. That’s a straight-up hustle.

How to Flip the Script:

• Protect your info. Never give out personal or financial information to random callers, texters, or DMs. If they reach out to you first, that’s your red flag.
• Don’t pay weird. Gift cards, mobile apps, wire transfers, and crypto? Only scammers demand those. They know those payments are hard to track or reverse. Don’t let them win.
• Verify, don’t guess. Think it might be real? Look up the official agency's number online and call them yourself. Don’t trust the number or link the scammer gives you.
• Report it. Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, contact your bank ASAP, and make sure your friends and family don’t fall for the same game.

Bottom line: Scammers are professional manipulators, but you’ve got the playbook now. Stay sharp, stay skeptical, and don’t get played.