Government Impersonation Scams: How to Protect Yourself

Government impersonation scams are a type of scam where criminals pose as government officials in order to trick people into giving them money or personal information. These scams can be very convincing, and they can target anyone, regardless of age, income, or education level.

Government impersonation scams are popular because they exploit people’s trust in government institutions and their fear of legal consequences. Scammers impersonate government agencies, such as tax authorities or law enforcement, to create a sense of urgency and legitimacy. They use various tactics, like fake emails or phone calls, to trick victims into providing sensitive information or making payments.

People often fall for these scams due to the convincing nature of the impersonation, fear of legal repercussions, or the promise of financial gain. Additionally, scammers employ psychological manipulation techniques to create a sense of urgency and exploit vulnerabilities.

Here are some examples of government impersonation scams:

• A caller claiming to be from the IRS says you owe back taxes and must pay immediately with a gift card or wire transfer.
• An email claiming to be from the Social Security Administration says your benefits have been suspended and you must click on a link to verify your identity.
• A text message claiming to be from the Department of Homeland Security says you are under investigation for terrorism and must call a number immediately.

If you receive a communication from someone claiming to be from a government agency, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself:

• Don’t panic. Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency in order to pressure you into making a decision without thinking clearly. Take a deep breath and slow down.
• Ask questions. Legitimate government officials will be happy to answer your questions. If the caller or emailer is unwilling to answer your questions or becomes angry when you ask, it’s a red flag that they may be trying to scam you.
• Verify the caller’s identity. Hang up the phone and call the government agency directly using a phone number you know to be legitimate. Do not call the number provided by the caller or emailer.
• Never give out personal information over the phone or email. This includes your Social Security number, bank account number, or credit card number.
• Report the scam. If you believe you have been the victim of a government impersonation scam, report it to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) at https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/protecting-yourself/scams. You can also report the scam to the government agency that was impersonated.

ATO scam example

Here are some additional tips to help you avoid government impersonation scams:

• Be suspicious of any unsolicited calls or emails. Legitimate government agencies will not contact you out of the blue.
• Do not click on links in emails or text messages. These links could lead to malicious websites that can infect your computer with malware.
• Be careful about what information you share online. Scammers can use information you share on social media or other websites to target you with scams.
• Keep your software up to date. Outdated software can have security vulnerabilities that scammers can exploit.

It is crucial for individuals to be cautious, verify the authenticity of communication, and never share sensitive information without proper verification. Education and awareness are key to preventing falling victim to these scams. Following these tips can help protect yourself from government impersonation scams.

Written by The Original PC Doctor on 24/9/2023.