Imposter scams happen when a fraudster pretends to be someone else to trick you into sending them money or providing them with your personal information. They often pretend to be a trusted source, such as government officials, financial representatives, or even family members. Imposter scams are meant to catch you off guard and be emotionally manipulative. 

The Warning Signs

Being able to spot the warning signs is your first line of defense. Here are a few red flags to keep an eye out for.

Pressure Tactics: Fraudsters use fear- and pressure-based tactics to create a sense of urgency, prompting you to act fast. They may threaten you with large fines or legal consequences, such as arrest, if you don't act right away.

Unusual Payment: Scammers will sometimes request payment through methods that are nearly impossible to reverse or even trace once the money is sent, such as wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.

Unusual grammar or language: Pay attention to the wording or phrasing of the request. If it doesn't sound like the person or business, that's a red flag. 

The Many Faces of Imposter Scams

Imposter scams come in many different forms. These are some of the most common types to recognize:

Government impersonation scams: Fraudsters impersonate government officials from agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the Social Security Administration (SSA). They may claim you owe back taxes or that your Social Security number has been compromised. Reminder: The IRS and SSA will never demand immediate payment with a threat of jail time. 

Financial imposter scams: These are generally sent via fake text alerts or phone calls claiming fraudulent or suspicious activity on your account. The goal is to get you to click a link or "verify" your account details, such as login information or a Social Security number. Reminder: We will never ask for your login credentials or your full social security number.

Family impersonation scams (Grandparent Scam): Scammers impersonate a family member, often a grandchild, who's in crisis and needs money immediately. Their goal is to overwhelm you. Before reacting, call your family member with the number you already have to confirm their safety.

Romance Scams: These scams thrive on social media. Many people who've reported losing money to a romance scam stated it began on a social media platform. These scammers work to build trust over time, and then eventually claim a financial crisis. If you've never met them in person, treat this as a giant red flag. You can read more about other red flags of a romance scam in our blog 12 Potential Red Flags of a Romance Scam.

What to Do if You Think You've Been Targeted

It's extremely important to act fast if you believe an imposter scam has targeted you.

Don't send money or share personal information. If you haven't already, don't. If you have, stop.

Contact us immediately if you believe your account has been compromised. Call us at 800-765-0110. We've got your back.

Report the scam to the authorities. Once you're confident your account and personal information are secure, contact the authorities. Even if you weren't financially harmed, every report helps the authorities track patterns and shut down fraud networks, helping to protect your community.