A caller claims to represent a government service

Separate the notice from the requested action

Record the claimed agency and subject, then end the conversation before disclosing sensitive information. A benefit, tax or account warning can be checked independently. Do not use the verification number or website supplied by that same person. That keeps the supposed check inside the caller’s chosen environment.

Check an artificial deadline

Example: a caller says your public-service account will expire unless you read an SMS code immediately. Open the real service and inspect notifications. Official support can explain an actual procedure. A login code does not become identity confirmation because a caller calls it that. Likewise, independently verify promised compensation that requires an advance payment.

Use the correct jurisdiction

Record a claimed regulation and check its primary source rather than assuming it exists. FTC material describes US examples, while Bank of Russia guidance concerns Russian financial impersonation. Neither establishes every country’s procedures. If documents or credentials were exposed, secure the relevant service separately. Blocking the caller will not revoke access or reverse a completed action.

Quick checklist

• Record the agency and subject.
• Find its official contact independently.
• Keep login codes private.
• Check local procedures through primary sources.