Did I just read that this brilliant woman is a financial advisor columnist or something? Really?
NO legitimate government-related agency is going to call you on the phone in a demand for money, period.
They won’t ask for cash, gift cards or your bank account number. Anything else and you can treat it as a scammer.
LOL. If its Fed.gov and you have done something needing their attention worth $50K, they show up at 6AM with an armada of vehicles, and kick in your door and windows.
THAT's how you will now know Government wants something from you.