National “Slam the Scam” Day 2026 is Thursday, March 5, designated by the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General to raise awareness of government imposter scams. These increasingly common scams exploit trust and prey on emotions by inciting a sense of fear or danger.
In the AARP-launched “Fraud Wars” docuseries last year, the first episode was dedicated to these government imposter scams. The episode entitled, “An ‘FBI Agent’ Stole $600,000, Then Vanished” illustrates how these scams work, who’s behind them, and how you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
The Government Isn’t Calling You
Government imposter scams often begin with a phone call from someone claiming to be an FBI agent, using a real agent’s name and a spoofed caller ID to appear official. The caller may sound convincing and provide details like badge numbers or case references.
The scammer warns the victim that their bank account or Social Security number has been compromised, urging them to immediately transfer their money to a “safe account” for protection—an account controlled by the fraudster. To keep the victim from alerting anyone, the caller may claim the local bank branch is under investigation and instruct them not to tell bank staff the reason for their withdrawal.
How to Protect Yourself
- Question Emails. Even if emails appear real, the FBI will not reach out via email to involve you in a case. In addition, criminals will likely use a .com address rather than a .gov address;
- Scrutinize calls and don’t trust caller ID. No government agency will ever call and ask you to move money;
- Beware of payment methods. No government agent will ever ask for payment in gift cards, crypto, or cash;
- Keep your personal information private. Never give out your Social Security number, bank information, or passwords to an unsolicited caller;
- Watch for secrecy. Criminals don’t want you talking with anyone who might expose their scheme. Talk openly with trusted friends or family about requests from anyone to move money, especially if they insist you need to move the money “to keep it safe”;
- Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. Hang up and report it.
If You or Someone You Know Has Been Defrauded
At American Riviera Bank, your financial well-being is important to us. If you are unsure about a transaction or feel pressured to move funds quickly, we encourage you to speak with a member of our bank management team before completing the transaction.
If you or someone you know has been defrauded, there are support groups to help process loss, embarrassment, and isolation, such as the AARP’s Fraud Victim Support Group.
How to Report Fraud
The National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-372-8311) was established for adults 60 and over to report fraud. It also provides support and resources/safety tips and can help you file IC3 and FTC reports.
You can report fraud to Local Police/Adult Protective Services as well as one or more of these Federal Government Databases/Agencies:
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Fraud Reporting
- Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Reporting
- U.S Postal Inspection Service Reporting
For Crypto Investment Confidence Fraud/Crypto-Romance Investment, contact your local U.S. Secret Service Office, in addition to filing an IC3 report.
Stay Vigilant – Slam the Scam
Imposter scams are a serious and increasingly common form of financial fraud. Staying informed, asking questions, and speaking up when something doesn’t feel right can help protect you and those you care about from financial harm. American Riviera Bank is here to help you stay protected and supported.
This article was written by Laurel Sykes, Chief Risk Officer at American Riviera Bank.
