If an unexpected caller, text, email, letter, or visitor claims to represent a government agency, don’t rely on the contact details they provide—or on caller ID. End the interaction, find the agency’s contact information independently, and contact it through that trusted channel to ask whether the message is genuine.
How to verify a government phone call or message
- Pause the conversation. Don’t share personal or financial information, click links, or call a number supplied in the unexpected message. If the person is on the phone, end the call; if they are visiting, don’t let them in while you verify their identity.
- Find the agency’s contact information independently. For a federal agency, use the USAGov A–Z agency index. For a state or local agency, find its official website independently and use the contact information published there.
- Start a new contact. Call or message the agency using the independently located details. Explain what you received and ask whether the agency sent it or can confirm the person’s identity. Don’t use a number, email address, or link from the suspicious contact unless the agency independently confirms it.
- Report suspected impersonation. Use the reporting options described below if the agency cannot verify the contact or it appears to be a scam.
Can government phone numbers be spoofed?
Yes. Scammers can manipulate caller ID so an incoming call appears to come from an official number. A familiar number or official-looking display name is not proof that the caller represents an agency. The same caution applies to links and contact details in unexpected texts or emails: their appearance does not authenticate their source. See USAGov’s guidance on imposter scams.
How can I tell if an agency email or letter is real?
Don’t decide based only on how official the message looks or on the contact information printed in it. Verify through the agency’s independently found website or directory listing, then ask whether it sent the communication. USAGov says, “Unless you contact them first, government agencies typically initiate communication with you by letter.” Treat unexpected contact or demands through other methods as a warning sign, not proof of fraud: agency practices can vary by program and circumstance.
There is no universal email-domain check established by the guidance here. If you are unsure, don’t reply to the message or use its links to verify it; contact the agency through details you found separately.
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Where to find trusted agency contact details
- Federal agencies: Search the USAGov A–Z index for the agency’s website and contact details.
- State and local agencies: Find the agency’s own website independently and use its published contact information.
The key distinction is where the contact information came from. Details delivered in an unexpected message remain unverified; information reached independently through USAGov or the agency’s own website gives you a safer starting point.
Where to report a government impersonation scam
USAGov directs people to report suspected imposter scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). For tax-related impersonation, report it to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), as directed by USAGov. You can also use the USAGov scam-reporting tool, which asks about the scam’s location and category to help route your report.
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What if the problem is poor agency service, not impersonation?
A frustrating or unresolved service issue is not necessarily a scam. For a complaint about a federal agency service, USAGov advises contacting the relevant agency program first; if the issue remains unresolved, contact its Office of Inspector General. For a state or local agency complaint, use the route on the relevant agency’s website. See USAGov’s complaint guidance.
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