Government Entity Impersonation
The message claims to come from a government body, such as a court, agency, ministry, or municipal office. Official authority and possible legal consequences add weight to a request for payment or personal details.
Also known as
- Aliases
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- government impersonation scam
- jury duty scam
- Broader terms
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- imposter scam
- Named examples
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- Social Security scam
- DVLA scam
Mapped to
MITRE ATT&CK®
Sub-themes
TH0044.1
Government Ministry Impersonation
The message claims to come from a government ministry or department acting in its official role. A ministry's name adds authority to requests about policy changes, registrations, or required actions.
TH0044.2
Tax Authority Impersonation
The message claims to be from a tax authority, such as the IRS or HMRC, about a return, refund, payment, or audit. Tax refunds and penalties are used to ask for bank details or quick payment.
TH0044.3
Government Portal Impersonation
The message appears to come from an online government service portal for identity, permits, benefits, or records. These portals hold important personal data, so a notice asking you to sign in can seem necessary.
TH0044.4
Law Enforcement Impersonation
The message claims to come from the police or another law-enforcement agency about an investigation, offense, or recovery case. Claimed police involvement creates pressure to cooperate, pay, or share personal details.