Government, Tax & Legal Scams

Government, tax, and legal scams pretend to come from a tax authority, immigration office, court, or police force. They claim you owe money, missed a payment, or face arrest or deportation, and demand immediate payment, often by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Real agencies communicate through official letters and channels and do not demand payment in gift cards or threaten instant arrest by phone or text.

Common red flags

  • Threats of arrest, deportation, or legal action unless you pay now
  • Demands for payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
  • Caller ID or sender details that 'spoof' a real agency
  • Pressure to keep the matter secret and act immediately
  • Requests for personal identifiers like your tax or ID number

Government & Tax scam guides

High risk Government & Tax

IRS Tax Scam

This scam uses a call, voicemail, text, or email pretending to be the IRS or another tax agency, claiming you owe back taxes and threatening arrest, lawsuit, or deportation unless you pay at once by gift card, wire, or crypto.
High risk Government & Tax

Social Security Scam

This scam uses a call, robocall, or voicemail claiming your Social Security number has been 'suspended' over suspicious activity, then pressures you to confirm your number or pay to 'reactivate' it.
High risk Government & Tax

Jury Duty Scam

This scam involves a call, voicemail, or text claiming you missed jury duty and now face a fine or arrest unless you pay immediately, often by gift card or prepaid card. The caller uses fear and urgency to push you into paying before you can check.
High risk Government & Tax

CRA Tax Scam

This scam uses a call, text, or email posing as the Canada Revenue Agency to claim you owe tax or are due a refund, then threatens arrest or demands payment by e-transfer, gift card, or crypto. The goal is to frighten you into paying or handing over personal details.
High risk Government & Tax

Immigration Scam

This scam involves a caller or message posing as an immigration or border agency that threatens deportation, visa cancellation, or arrest over a supposed problem with your status. The aim is to frighten you into making an immediate payment or handing over passport and personal details.
High risk Government & Tax

Government Grant Scam

This scam uses a message, call, or social media post claiming you qualify for a free government grant, then asks for a processing fee or your bank details to 'release' money that does not actually exist.
High risk Government & Tax

Medicare Scam

In this scam a caller or message poses as Medicare or a health insurer, offering a new card, refund, or free equipment, then asks you to confirm your Medicare or personal ID number, which is later used for fraud.

Frequently asked questions

Do government agencies demand payment by gift card?
No legitimate agency asks for payment in gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. This demand is a clear sign of a scam.
Can a tax office threaten to arrest me by phone?
Genuine agencies do not threaten immediate arrest or deportation over the phone or by text. These threats are designed to scare you into paying quickly.
How do I verify a message from a government agency?
Do not use the contact details in the message. Look up the agency's official website or phone number independently and confirm any claim directly.

Related scam categories

Bank & Payment Scams

Bank and payment scams impersonate your bank or a payment service to trigger panic, then push you to share codes, move money, or log in on a fake page.

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Text Message Scams

Scam texts (also called smishing) try to push you into clicking a link, calling a number, or sending money using urgency and fake alerts.

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Email Scams

Email scams (phishing) imitate companies you trust to trick you into logging in on a fake page, paying a fake invoice, or downloading an attachment.

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Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.