The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning consumers about a new wave of government-impersonation scams where criminals pretend to be FTC employees. According to the agency,
scammers contact people unexpectedly—often by text message or messaging apps—and falsely claim they are FTC “agents” who can help recover money lost in a previous scam. To make the scheme seem legitimate, impersonators send a photo of a fake FTC ID badge and employee card in an attempt to “verify” their identity. But the FTC states clearly that a real FTC employee will never text you, message you on WhatsApp, or send a photo ID to prove who they are.
Once scammers gain a victim’s trust, they push for money, financial information, or access to accounts. They may ask you to move funds into a “safe account,” wire money, use a money transfer app, or share banking details—all tactics used to steal money directly. The FTC emphasizes that it will never ask you to pay for help, move your money, or provide financial information. Anyone making these requests is an impersonator attempting to steal from you.
At MVSB, protecting our customers from fraud is a top priority. If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from the FTC or another government agency, contact us immediately—we can help you review your accounts, secure your information, and take steps if you may have shared sensitive details. We encourage customers to report impersonation scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to rely on our team for guidance. Visit any MVSB branch or call us directly for help staying protected from government-impersonation scams.
