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Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated technology to make fraudulent calls, emails, text messages, and online profiles appear legitimate. Artificial intelligence (AI) can help criminals imitate voices, create realistic images, produce convincing messages, and even generate fake videos of people who appear to be government officials or law enforcement officers.

In September 2026, the FBI issued an updated public warning about criminals impersonating government officials and law enforcement agencies. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, nearly 61,000 complaints involving these scams were received between January 2025 and July 2026, with reported losses exceeding $1.6 billion.

These figures highlight why consumers should be cautious when receiving unexpected communications involving legal threats, financial demands, or requests for sensitive information.

For anyone who uses online banking, digital payment services, social media, or email, understanding these tactics is an important step toward staying safe.

How Government Impersonation Scams Work

A typical impersonation scam begins with an unexpected phone call, email, text message, or social media interaction. The person contacting you claims to represent a trusted organization, such as a police department, government agency, bank, or regulatory authority.

The scammer may claim that your identity has been linked to criminal activity, that an official document has expired, or that your bank account is at risk. They then create a sense of urgency, insisting that you must act immediately to avoid arrest, penalties, or financial loss.

AI technology can make these stories more convincing. A criminal may use a cloned voice, a fabricated identification document, or a realistic video to make the interaction appear genuine.

Common warning signs include:

• Unexpected demands for payment: Someone claiming to be an official asks for cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers, or cash delivered by a courier.

• Threats and intimidation: The caller threatens arrest, legal action, or account restrictions unless you comply.

• Requests for confidential information: The individual asks for passwords, verification codes, banking credentials, or identity documents.

• Pressure to keep the conversation secret: You are told not to contact your bank, family members, or local authorities.

• Suspicious links and contact details: The sender directs you to an unfamiliar website or provides a telephone number that cannot be independently verified.

A familiar voice, official-looking document, or recognizable phone number is not sufficient proof of identity.

How to Verify a Suspicious Call or Message

If someone claims to represent a government agency or financial institution, pause before taking action. Do not provide money or personal information simply because the caller sounds authoritative.

Instead, follow these precautions:

1. End the conversation if the person is threatening you or demanding immediate payment.

2. Find the organization's contact details through its official website or another trusted source.

3. Contact the organization independently to verify whether the communication is genuine.

4. Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unexpected messages.

5. Never allow an unknown caller to access your computer or phone remotely.

6. Speak with a trusted person before making an unusual financial transaction.

Legitimate organizations have established procedures for communicating with the public. Requests to send cryptocurrency, purchase gift cards, or hand cash to an unknown person as a way to resolve an alleged legal problem should be treated as serious warning signs.

For additional guidance, consult the FBI's September 2026 public warning on government impersonation scams.

What to Do If You Have Been Targeted by a Scam

If you believe you have interacted with a scammer, stop communicating with the individual and preserve any information that may help establish what happened.

Save text messages, emails, telephone numbers, website addresses, transaction records, payment receipts, and screenshots. Write down important dates and details while they are still fresh.

If you have shared banking information or sent money, contact your bank or payment provider immediately. Ask about securing affected accounts, stopping pending transactions, and the steps available under its policies. Change compromised passwords and enable multifactor authentication where possible.

You should also report the incident to the appropriate authorities. The relevant reporting channels depend on where you live and the nature of the incident. In the United States, for example, consumers can submit fraud reports to the Federal Trade Commission and cybercrime complaints to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Local police may also be appropriate, particularly when threats or financial losses are involved.

Why Reporting Scams Matters

Reporting suspicious activity creates a record of the incident and may help authorities identify patterns, connect related complaints, and investigate criminal activity.

You do not need to be certain about every detail before documenting what happened. Provide accurate information, explain what the person claimed, and include the evidence you have available.

Unscammed helps people report scams to relevant organizations, with reporting pathways tailored to the circumstances and location. Its services are available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

If you have encountered a suspicious message, fraudulent investment offer, or someone impersonating an official, visit Unscammed to learn more about your reporting options.

Stay Alert as Scams Evolve

Technology can make fraudulent communications look more authentic, but basic verification practices remain valuable. Unexpected demands for money, threats, secrecy, and requests for sensitive information deserve careful scrutiny.

Taking time to verify a person's identity and report suspicious activity can help protect you and contribute to broader efforts to combat online fraud.

Research basis: The FBI's September 2026 warning on government impersonation scams and the FTC's 2026 reporting on impersonation fraud.