Five Ways to Spot an Imposter Scam

Some people are naturally good at pretending to be something they’re not. With access to more advanced technology, the criminally minded are now able to carry out extremely convincing impersonations, taking social engineering to a new level.

Posing as bankers, government officials, romantic suitors and more, the bad guys are deploying all kinds of highly effective imposter scams. And it’s gotten so bad, the Federal Trade Commission has issued a reminder about the threat.

Let’s review what imposter scams are and how you can avoid becoming a victim.

Simply put, an imposter scam is when a fraudster contacts you pretending to be someone they’re not in order to steal money or gather valuable personal information. They might call you on the phone or send a message by text or email. For payments, they’ll often ask you to send a gift card or wire money.

Sometimes, they pretend to be someone you know or trust — while other times, they’ll present themselves as a company you do business with or an authority figure at a familiar organization like the Social Security Administration or American Red Cross. For every persona they might adopt, fraudsters have different scams to run, such as:

• A family member who claims to be traveling and lost their wallet or needs bail money
• A tech support person who’s following up on a problem with your computer
• An IRS agent stating you must make a payment or face serious consequences
• An online friend or romantic interest you’ve never met but who suddenly needs to borrow money

The problem is imposter scams can be very convincing, and the numbers show just how effective they can be. The Federal Trade Commission reported in 2024, imposter scams were the most common type of fraud reported, accounting for nearly $3 billion in losses.

Recognizing the fraudster from the real professional can be tricky to decipher – but most often there are a few tells that can help you spot the liar. 

If you’re suspicious of someone who has contacted you, don’t ignore your instincts. These questions can help you spot-check the legitimacy of any call, text or email that gives you a bad feeling. 

1. Was it unsolicited?

Scammers don’t wait around for potential victims; they initiate contact. If you’re leery of someone who contacts you unexpectedly, stop communicating with them, even if the number appears to be from a trusted source. Call them back using contact information you’ve independently verified as legitimate.

2. Are they rushing you?

Bad guys know the longer it takes to convince someone of a story, the less likely they’ll be successful. They will use all kinds of tactics to get you to comply quickly — from a false emergency to warnings of public embarrassment or the risk of arrest.

3. Do you feel scared?

Imposter scams work well when the victim is rushed, but they can work even better when the victim is scared. If the supposed official is stoking fear or threatening you or someone you love, chances are they’re not who they say they are.

4. Are there similar stories online?

Cybercrooks are only interested in effective scams, so they repeat what works. See if you can find a similar story to the one you’re hearing from the imposter by performing a quick Google search.

5. Are they asking for personal information?

Any call, text, email or other communication asking you to transmit account or card numbers, Social Security numbers, one-time passcodes or PINs should be met with high levels of caution. Legitimate organizations will rarely contact you directly for this information, whereas scammers have great explanations for why they need it.

Combatting imposter scams

Imposter scammers are successful at fooling people of all ages, so sharing these tips can help those you care about. Discuss them with your kids for the next time something or someone suspicious slides into their DMs — and give a copy to your grandparents to keep somewhere convenient.