Every day, scammers find new ways to trick consumers into giving away money or personal information. One of the most common tactics is an impersonation scam, where criminals pretend to be someone you know or trust in an attempt to create a sense of urgency and gain your confidence.
From fake bank representatives and government officials to utility companies and even family members, these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Understanding how they work is one of the best ways to protect yourself.
What Is an Impersonation Scam?
An impersonation scam occurs when a fraudster pretends to be a legitimate person or organization to convince you to provide sensitive information, send money, or grant access to your accounts.
Scammers may claim to represent:
- Your bank or financial institution
- Government agencies, such as the IRS or Social Security Administration
- Utility companies
- Tech support providers
- Online retailers or delivery services
- Employers
- Family members or friends
These scams often come through phone calls, text messages, emails, or social media platforms.
Common Warning Signs
While every scam is different, many impersonation scams share similar red flags:
They Create a Sense of Urgency
Scammers want you to act before you have time to think. They may claim:
- Your account has been compromised.
- You’ll be arrested if you don’t pay immediately.
- Your utilities are about to be disconnected.
- A family member is in trouble and needs money urgently.
They Request Personal Information
Legitimate organizations typically won’t ask for sensitive information through unsolicited calls, texts, or emails.
Be cautious if someone asks for:
- Online banking credentials
- Account numbers
- Debit card numbers
- PINs
- One-time security codes
- Social Security numbers
They Demand Unusual Payment Methods
Scammers often request payment through:
- Gift cards
- Wire transfers
- Cryptocurrency
- Peer-to-peer payment apps
These payment methods are difficult to recover once funds are sent.
They Spoof Phone Numbers and Email Addresses
Technology allows criminals to make calls or emails appear as though they’re coming from a trusted source. Just because a phone number or email looks legitimate doesn’t mean it is.
How to Protect Yourself
Slow Down and Verify
If you receive an unexpected call, text, or email claiming to be from a company or government agency:
- Do not provide personal information.
- Hang up or stop responding.
- Contact the organization directly using a phone number or website you know is legitimate.
- Visit your local bank to verify the person attempting to contact you.
Never Share Security Codes
Multi-factor authentication codes are designed to protect your accounts. If someone asks for a verification code, it’s a strong sign of fraud.
Be Skeptical of Unexpected Requests
Even if a message appears to come from a friend or family member, verify the request through another method before sending money or information.
Monitor Your Accounts
Regularly reviewing your account activity can help you spot unauthorized transactions quickly and report suspicious activity.
What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Targeted
If you believe you’ve encountered an impersonation scam:
- Stop communicating with the suspected scammer.
- Do not send additional money or information.
- Change passwords if account credentials may have been compromised.
- Monitor your financial accounts for unusual activity.
- Contact our Customer Care Center at 888-372-9788 immediately if you shared account information or notice unauthorized transactions.
The sooner suspicious activity is reported, the sooner steps can be taken to help protect your accounts.
Stay Alert, Stay Protected
Scammers rely on fear, urgency, and trust to deceive their victims. Taking a moment to pause, verify, and think critically can make all the difference.
Remember: Legitimate organizations will never pressure you into making immediate payments or sharing sensitive account information through unsolicited communications.
When in doubt, contact our Customer Care Center or call your local branch.
(888) 372-9788