Government Impersonation Scams

Callers and messages posing as the tax authority demanding urgent payment to avoid penalties or arrest.

Imposters posing as police who claim your identity or accounts are compromised and demand action.

Threats of deportation or visa problems used to extort payment from migrants and visitors.

Bogus court notices and 'missed jury duty' or 'lawsuit' threats demanding immediate payment.

Claims that a parcel is held by customs pending fees, or that you're linked to a seized shipment.

Threats that your social security or national insurance number is 'suspended' over alleged crimes.

Bogus 'you qualify for a benefit/grant' messages that harvest data or charge access fees.

Threats of visa cancellation or fines unless you pay or share details with a fake 'enforcement' unit.

Calls claiming a warrant is out for your arrest unless you pay a 'fine' immediately.

Promises of free government grant money that require fees or bank details to 'release'.

Callers claiming you failed to report for jury duty and that a warrant is now active unless you pay a fine immediately.

Imposters posing as census officials who harvest identity data or charge fake 'participation fees'.

Messages claiming a government stimulus payment is waiting but requires fees or banking details to release.

Callers posing as child support enforcement agencies threatening arrest or licence suspension to force payment or data.

Smishing texts claiming an unpaid toll fee is due, with a fake link that harvests card details.

Texts and emails impersonating the DMV or DVLA claiming your licence is due for renewal or suspended, with a fake payment link.

Websites and services impersonating official passport or national ID authorities that charge inflated fees, harvest identity data, or deliver nothing.

Callers and websites posing as health insurance or government health programme enrolment agents who collect premiums, personal data, or fees for non-existent coverage.

Unofficial websites or texts charging inflated fees for vehicle registration, road tax renewal, or MOT reminders that duplicate official free services.

Fraudsters send official-looking messages claiming voter registration has lapsed and directing recipients to fake sites that harvest identity data or charge unnecessary fees.

Fraudulent emails impersonating courts or law enforcement claim the recipient has an outstanding fine that must be paid immediately to avoid arrest or escalating penalties.

Scammers impersonate disaster relief agencies to steal personal data, advance fees, or direct genuine aid applicants to fraudulent portals that capture sensitive information.

Callers posing as immigration enforcement officers threaten imminent deportation or detention to coerce migrants and visa holders into making urgent payments or surrendering identity documents.

Fraudulent messages impersonating benefits agencies demand recipients re-verify eligibility or update payment details to continue receiving payments, harvesting personal and banking data.

Fraudulent emails and messages impersonate courts or legal authorities by delivering official-looking digital summons documents designed to harvest personal details or extract payments under legal threat.

Fraudulent messages and websites direct citizens to install counterfeit government apps that steal personal data, harvest banking credentials, or provide attackers with remote device access.

Scammers impersonate law-enforcement officers on a live video call, tell the victim they are under a fictitious 'digital arrest', and demand immediate payment to avoid prosecution.

Fraudsters pose as senior investigators from elite law-enforcement agencies such as the CBI, FBI, or NCA and conduct fake 'interrogations' to coerce victims into paying bribes or providing personal data.

Scammers pose as Social Security Administration officials and falsely claim the victim's Social Security Number has been suspended due to suspicious activity, demanding payment or personal information to reactivate it.

Fraudsters send convincing fake traffic-fine notices claiming a speed camera or red-light camera captured the victim's vehicle, then direct victims to fraudulent payment portals that steal money and card details.

Scammers impersonate Medicare or social-healthcare officials and tell beneficiaries their new card or updated plan requires immediate activation, using the process to steal Medicare numbers, personal details, and payment information.

Fraudsters pose as immigration or customs officials and claim the victim's passport has been flagged for seizure due to criminal activity, threatening deportation or arrest unless an immediate payment is made.

Scammers impersonate tax-authority staff and tell victims they have an unclaimed tax refund ready to transfer, but first need the victim to share a one-time password to verify their bank account — which actually authorises a transfer out of that account.

Criminals impersonate Interpol officers and claim the victim is the subject of a Red Notice — an international wanted alert — for serious crimes, demanding payment or information to have the notice withdrawn.

Scammers impersonate pension administrators or government retirement offices and tell recipients they must reverify their identity to continue receiving pension payments, using the process to steal personal and financial information.

Scammers send fraudulent military draft or conscription notices and demand payment of exemption fees, medical assessment fees, or replacement costs — exploiting fear of mandatory military service to extract money.

A paid tax preparer who refuses to sign your return, often inflating the refund with fabricated figures or diverting it entirely, leaving you legally liable when the tax authority investigates.

Fake DMV websites, texts, and ads impersonate a state motor-vehicle agency or a bogus "REAL ID processing" service, charging fake application or expedited-processing fees and harvesting the personal and ID-document data used for identity theft.