Recognizing and avoiding impersonation scams.
Key takeaways:
- Scammers pretend to be government officials to create fear and urgency — to pressure people into acting quickly.
- Real government agencies don’t demand immediate payment or request gift cards, wire transfers, or personal details.
- Pause, verify independently, and report suspicious messages to protect your money and your peace of mind.
Scammers are getting smarter — and one of their most effective tactics is pretending to be someone in authority. Government impersonation scams are designed to catch people off guard by posing as law enforcement officers, court officials, or even toll and transportation agencies. These scams often rely on fear, urgency and the illusion of official power to pressure victims into acting quickly.
“If you receive a phone call, text or email regarding an outstanding debt, that you don’t remember or think it’s not something you have participated in, and you are being asked to purchase gift cards, deposit money in a Bitcoin ATM, or asked to transfer money through a cash app, do not proceed,” says Sarah Clark, senior manager, consumer servicing, BankCard Fraud and Non-Fraud disputes and BankCard verification. “No one will ever ask you to pay using these methods.”
Knowing how these scams work and what warning signs to watch for can help you protect both your money and your peace of mind.
Understanding impersonation scams.
Government impersonation scams occur when fraudsters pretend to represent a legitimate government agency and contact consumers by phone, text, email or mail. Their goal is usually to demand immediate payment or trick someone into sharing personal or financial information.
Scammers commonly claim to be:
- Law enforcement officers
- Jury duty or court officials
- Toll booth representatives
- Financial institutions
These messages often sound serious and official, warning of fines, missed court appearances, unpaid tolls, or even arrest if the issue isn’t resolved right away.
Why these scams work:
Impersonation scams succeed because they play on emotions most people naturally respond to.
- Authority – People are more likely to comply when they believe a message comes from a government or law enforcement source.
- Fear – Threats of arrest, fines, or legal consequences can trigger panic.
- Urgency – Scammers insist the problem must be fixed immediately, discouraging victims from stopping to verify the claim.
“Scammers act with urgency so you don’t have a chance to think if it could be legitimate or do any research,” according to Clark. “In the moment I understand the urgency and you want to handle the matter at hand quickly. With all the technology available and used today it’s hard to differentiate what is and isn’t legitimate. It’s so important to take a moment to breathe and think first.”
When stress is high, it becomes harder to think clearly, which is exactly what scammers are counting on.
While scam tactics can vary, most impersonation scams share common warning signs:
Payment red flags:
- Requests for payment using gift cards, wire transfers, prepaid cards, cryptocurrency, or payment apps.
- Demands for unusual or untraceable payment methods.
Pressure tactics:
- Threats of arrest, fines, license suspension, or legal action.
- Insistence on immediate payment without time to verify.
Communication issues:
- Poor grammar or spelling.
- Caller ID, foreign country codes, email addresses, or URLs that don’t match official government domains.
- Requests for Social Security numbers, bank details or login credentials.
“If I could share one piece of knowledge and advertise it non-stop, it would be to remember, no one will ever ask you to pay for something with a gift card or transfer funds via cash apps or make a deposit to pay for a bill, ticket, or invoice,” says Clark. “This one piece of knowledge could save hundreds of thousands of people from being victims of a scam.”
What to do if you’re contacted.
If you receive a suspicious call, email, or message:
- Do not provide payment or personal information
- Do not click links or download attachments
- End the interaction as soon as possible
Next, verify the claim independently. Look up the official phone number or website for the agency and contact them directly. Do not use contact details provided in the suspicious message.
Report the scam.
Reporting impersonation scams helps protect others:
- File a report with the Federal Trade Commission link opens in a new window (FTC).
- Report scams to your state or local consumer protection agency.
- Notify your financial institution if money or information was shared.
- Commerce customers can report fraud by calling 800-453-2265.
Protecting yourself going forward.
Stay alert for follow up attempts — scammers may try again using different messages or channels. Monitor your accounts regularly and remain cautious if someone contacts you claiming to “fix” a previous issue.
Impersonation scams are designed to scare people into acting fast — but real government agencies don’t operate that way. Taking a moment to pause, verify and report suspicious activity can make all the difference. To learn more, explore Commerce Bank’s financial education resources for helpful tips and trusted guidance.
