Fake Government and Business Messages Are Rising: How to Spot and Report Them for Free

Why you are seeing more fake messages

If you have gotten a message that looks like it came from a government agency or a company you trust, you are not alone. These are called impersonation scams. The scammer pretends to be someone official to trick you into sending money or personal details.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says impersonation scams have topped its list of fraud complaints in recent years. In 2025, the FTC received more than 1 million reports about imposter scams. People reported losing nearly $3.5 billion to these scams.

September brings a lot of money talk: estimated tax deadlines and news about state relief checks. Scammers love this season because they can pretend to offer you a refund or a payment that does not exist.

How the scam works now

These are not lone con artists anymore. The FTC says today's impersonation scams are sophisticated operations that use the same online advertising and targeting tools that real businesses use.

Online platforms play a big role. The FTC reports that nearly 30% of people who lost money to scammers in 2025 said they were first contacted on social media. Reported losses from those cases reached $2.1 billion.

The FTC is now asking the public whether it should require platforms to stop scam ads before they ever reach you. That review is still in progress. In the meantime, knowing the warning signs is your best defense.

Red flags to watch for

A real government agency will not text or message you out of the blue demanding money or threatening arrest. Be careful if a message pushes you to pay right away or claims your benefits will be cut off.

Watch for requests to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps. Those are favorite tools of scammers because the money is hard to trace.

Do not click links in surprise messages, even if they look official. Scammers copy real logos and web addresses. A message that offers a surprise refund or relief check, and asks for your bank or Social Security number, is a strong warning sign.

The free official path

Government programs are always free to use. You never have to pay a middleman to get a refund, a benefit, or a relief check you are owed.

If you get a suspicious message, do not respond to it. Instead, look up the agency or company yourself and contact them directly using a phone number or website you find on your own.

You can report scams for free to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Reporting helps the FTC track these operations and warn others. It costs nothing.

Frequently asked questions

Will a government agency text me to demand money?

No. Real government agencies do not send surprise texts demanding payment or threatening arrest. If a message pushes you to pay right away, treat it as a warning sign.

How can I tell if a refund or relief check offer is real?

Do not trust a link in a surprise message. Look up the program yourself using an official .gov site. Real programs are free and never ask you to pay to receive money.

What should I do if I already gave money or information?

Report it right away for free at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and contact your bank. Acting quickly can sometimes help.

Does it cost anything to report a scam?

No. Reporting to the FTC is completely free and helps them track and stop scam operations.