(Des Moines) Today, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird warned Iowans to be highly alert for government imposter scams. This warning follows an instance last Thursday in which a scammer attempted to defraud a woman by calling what appeared to be the Iowa Attorney General’s office’s phone number.
Government imposter scams occur when a scammer pretends to be affiliated with a government agency to trick Iowans into sending money. Scammers often claim to be from agencies such as the Iowa Department of Revenue, Social Security Administration, or law enforcement.
“Scammers are master manipulators who will lie and scare people to get their way,” said Attorney General Bird. “I am warning Iowans to be on the lookout because these scammers will stop at nothing to steal from you, even if it means impersonating my office or law enforcement. If you or someone you know is suspicious of a call, please call my office at 888-777-4590.”
Last Thursday, the Iowa Attorney General’s office was alerted of a scammer who was spoofing the Iowa Attorney General’s office’s phone number to deceive people. Using an Iowa phone number, a scammer called a woman in Oregon and left a voicemail claiming to be a special agent with the Department of Justice. The concerned woman immediately forwarded a transcript of the voicemail to her husband. He returned the scammer’s call and asked for proof of identification or government affiliation. The scammer refused and insisted on calling back from a “mainline” to prove they were a special agent. As the scammer called back from a different Iowa phone number, the husband found online that the number appearing on the caller ID was associated with the Iowa Attorney General’s office. The husband then confronted the scammer, but the scammer evaded questions and abruptly ended the call. The husband immediately reported the scam to the Iowa Attorney General’s office.
How to Spot a Government Imposter Scam:
- Unexpected Contact: Scammers call out of the blue and claim to be affiliated with a government agency.
- Threats: They use scare tactics, including threats of arrest, deportation, or fines.
- Demands for Immediate Payment: Scammers ask for money to solve a problem, such as paying taxes, fines, or fees. They also ask for the money to be sent via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency—all methods that make it nearly impossible to retrieve the stolen money.
- Flawed Emails or Letters: They send fake letters or emails that look like they are from a legitimate agency but contain spelling errors or mismatched logos.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Verify the Source: If you are suspicious of someone claiming to be from a government agency, hang up or ignore the message. Use a verified phone number to call the agency directly.
- Use Official Channels: Always check the government agency’s official website for communication, guidelines, or instructions.
- Be Skeptical of Threats: Government agencies and law enforcement will not threaten immediate arrest or ask for payment over the phone.
- Protect Your Pocketbook: Never provide personal or financial information over the phone, text, or email.
If a government imposter scam has targeted you or someone you know, contact the Iowa Attorney General’s office at 888-777-4590 or file a complaint online: https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-consumers/file-a-consumer-complaint.
