Across the country, people are answering calls that seem familiar, even official—but what follows is anything but normal.

These conversations are laced with threats, urgency, and demands for money.

What’s worse is that these schemes aren’t random—they’re sophisticated, relentless, and spreading fast.

And while they can happen to anyone, many targets are older Americans who just want to do the right thing when they think a loved one is in trouble.

Scammers now impersonate real government agents to force immediate payments​

Since June 2025, scammers have been impersonating federal agents from agencies such as the US Marshals Service, the FBI, and even the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

They call claiming a Social Security number has been frozen—or say a family member must pay for GPS monitoring to avoid jail.

These criminals are using advanced phone spoofing software to manipulate caller IDs, making the number appear as if it belongs to a legitimate government office.

Some calls even appear to come from Martinsburg, West Virginia, a known location for real federal offices. The aim is simple: make victims panic enough to pay without asking questions.

Victims are pressured to act quickly and pay thousands in untraceable ways​

According to the ATF, callers often demand amounts like $500 or $1,000 through methods that are almost impossible to track. Victims are told to use prepaid gift cards, cryptocurrency ATMs, or wire transfers.

These payment methods are specifically chosen because they offer no hope of recovery once sent.

In Waterford, Michigan, scammers even used the names and ranks of real police officers to sound more legitimate.

In Prince George’s County, two suspects impersonated Federal Trade Commission (FTC) agents and went as far as visiting a victim’s home—twice—to collect tens of thousands of dollars in cash.

These scammers falsely claimed the victim’s Apple account had been hacked. The duo was later indicted for conspiracy to commit theft and related offenses.



Also read: Your phone has a hidden screen that could help you avoid expensive scams—here’s how to find it

The new twist: AI voice cloning and text-based “smishing” scams​

Cybersecurity experts say this is just the beginning. With the rise of AI, scammers are now capable of cloning the voices of law enforcement—or even the voices of your loved ones.

This makes the scam even more convincing and nearly impossible to detect by voice alone.

Text scams, or “smishing,” are also on the rise. In June, the FBI warned iPhone users to delete fake DMV texts demanding payments for imaginary traffic violations.

According to cybersecurity firm Guardio, smishing attacks surged by 773% in just one year.

The financial damage is enormous—globally and at home​

The Global Anti-Scam Alliance found that scammers stole over $1 trillion globally in 2024. In the US, the Federal Trade Commission noted a 25% increase in scam-related financial losses as of March 2025.

Experts believe this trend will worsen as scams become more sophisticated. There's concern that malicious apps or even smartphone voice assistants could soon be targeted, although no such attacks have been confirmed yet.

Why older Americans are being hit hardest​

Scammers often go after older adults because they tend to trust official-sounding voices and may not be familiar with spoofing technology.

Many are also more likely to answer unknown calls or texts, increasing their vulnerability.

But law enforcement officials say the emotional aftermath is just as painful as the financial loss. Victims are left shaken, embarrassed, and sometimes too afraid to trust real government officials again.



Also read: A new phone scam is targeting seniors with fake health insurance deals—here’s what to know before you pick up

Here’s what real agents will never do​

• The FBI, US Marshals, IRS, or any legitimate agency will never call to demand payment or threaten arrest.
• They will not ask for gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
• They will not ask for your Social Security number, banking information, or personal details over the phone.
• If you’ve missed jury duty or have court-related business, you’ll be notified by official mail—not by phone.

How to protect yourself if you get one of these calls​

1. Hang up right away. Do not respond, argue, or explain. Just end the call.
2. Ignore the caller ID. Scammers can spoof any number.
3. Don’t share personal information. Ever.
4. Don’t pay through untraceable methods. No government agency accepts gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers.
5. Report the scam. Contact your local FBI office, local police, or the FTC immediately.

The goal of these criminals is to manipulate emotions—fear, urgency, and guilt. And it works. Many victims walk away not just poorer, but emotionally drained and distrustful.

That’s why awareness matters. Education and early detection are the strongest tools we have.

Technology keeps advancing—so do the scams. Experts are sounding the alarm that voice assistants, apps, or even a phone’s microphone could be exploited in the future.

While these threats aren’t yet confirmed, it’s a chilling reminder of how far these operations might go.

Read next: FBI urges millions of users to delete this text right away—what’s hiding behind the link might cost you
Have you ever received a suspicious call like this? What tipped you off that it wasn’t real? Let us know in the comments—your story could protect someone else!