Imposter Scams

How It Works

Fraudsters gain your trust by pretending to be in a position of authority (such as a government official), a family member, or a representative from a legitimate company. Fraudsters use this trust to deceive victims into sending money or sharing personal information.

Common Methods of Imposter Scams

• Business/bank imposters: Scammers pose as representatives from your bank, credit card company, or a well-known business, asking for your account information or money.
• Charity scams: Scammers pretend to represent charities, especially after natural disasters or during the holiday season, asking for donations that go directly into their pockets.
• Family/grandparent scams: Scammers pretend to be a family member, often a grandchild, in distress and needing money urgently.
• Injury to family scams: Scammers claim your family member is responsible for causing an accident and is now in need of medical care, but you must reimburse the scammer for damages caused by your family member before they receive medical attention.
• Government imposter scams: Scammers pose as IRS agents or Social Security officials to extort payments or personal details.
• Person-to-person (P2P) payment scams: Scammers trick you into sending money through payment apps.
• Romance scams: Scammers build emotional connections with victims online and then ask for money.
• Tech support scams: Fraudsters impersonate tech companies and claim your computer has a virus, attempting to gain access to your system or charge you for unnecessary services.

Warning Signs

• Calls, emails, or texts from people claiming to be government officials, law enforcement, or representatives from companies asking for immediate payments or personal information. NOTE: Government agencies do not typically use these methods of communication for investigations or demands for payment.
• High-pressure tactics demanding urgent payments or threatening arrest, legal action, or fines.
• Requests for payment through untraceable methods, like wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
• Unsolicited contacts claiming you owe money or need to confirm personal details.
• Unusual grammar or language patterns: Texts or written communications that include unusual grammar, awkward phrasing, or language inconsistencies can be red flags.
• Fake websites often have poor design, low-quality images, or outdated logos. Be cautious if the site looks unprofessional or has obvious spelling and grammar mistakes.

Ways to Avoid It

• Verify the source: If contacted by someone claiming to be a government official, independently verify their identity by contacting the agency directly through official channels.
• Do not share personal information: Be wary of unsolicited calls or messages asking for Social Security numbers, bank details, or passwords.
• Never send money or provide personal details based on an unsolicited call, email, or message.
• Don’t fall for pressure tactics: Legitimate agencies or companies won’t demand immediate payments or personal information under the threat of consequences.
• Hang up on robocalls: If you receive an automated call from someone you don’t know, you can just hang up.
• Do not respond to unsolicited emails or texts: Avoid clicking on any links or downloading attachments provided in these communications. Never share your personal information or banking information, such as one-time passcodes or passwords.
• Monitor your financial accounts regularly: Set up account alerts for all transactions and review your statements frequently for unauthorized charges or unusual and suspicious activity.
• Monitor your credit reports
  • Obtain free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com.
  • Regularly review your credit reports for any unauthorized inquiries or accounts, suspicious activities, or errors.
• Use the IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search Tool
  • Before donating to a charity, you can check whether the charity is legitimate using the IRS’s tool to verify tax-exempt organizations. If the charity is not listed, report the organization.
• Educate yourself and others
  • Stay informed about common and new types of scams by subscribing to alerts from FTC Consumer Alerts.

Ways to Report It

Taking swift and decisive actions when encountering an imposter scam can help protect your identity and financial well-being.

• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
  • Online: Visit ReportFraud.ftc.gov to report the scam. Provide as many details as possible about the interaction.
  • Phone: Call the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) if you prefer to file your complaint over the phone.
• Report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
  • Online: Submit a complaint to the IC3, a division of the FBI.
  • This is especially useful for internet-related crimes.
• Report to local law enforcement
  • If you believe you are dealing with a scammer or are being threatened, contact your local law enforcement to file a report.
• Contact relevant companies or agencies based on the type of imposter scam
  • Charity scams:
    • Reporting the scam to your state’s Office of the Attorney General can lead to local investigations. Many of these offices also accept complaints related to fraudulent charities.
    • If you were contacted by a fraudster claiming to represent a legitimate charity, report the incident directly to the real charity.
  • IRS imposter scams:
    • Online: Visit “Report phishing and online scams” for instructions on how to report suspicious IRS-related activities.
  • Person-to-Person (P2P) payment scams:
    • Most P2P payment apps offer a way to report fraudulent activity directly through their platform. Reporting the scam to the payment provider is critical to initiating any form of investigation or possible fund recovery.
  • Romance scams:
    • Romance scammers often use online dating sites or social media platforms to find victims. Reporting the scammer to the platform helps them act, such as banning the scammer’s account, and prevents others from becoming victims.
    • Use the platform’s reporting tools to flag suspicious profiles or messages (most dating sites and social media have a “Report” or “Flag” button for these purposes).
  • Social Security Administration (SSA) imposter scams:
    • Submit a fraud report online
    • Phone: Call the SSA Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271.
  • Tech support scams:
    • Report the scam to the technical company referenced in the imposter scam.
• Alert your bank or credit card company
  • If you shared any financial information or made payments, contact your financial institution immediately to report the potential fraud.
  • Request them to place a stop payment on any charges and monitor your accounts for unauthorized transactions.
  • Consider requesting a new account.
• Place a fraud alert on your credit report
  • Contact credit reporting agencies: Place a fraud alert on your credit reports by contacting one of the three major credit bureaus. The bureau you contact will inform the other two.
    • Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
    • Experian: 1-888-397-3742
    • TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
  • A fraud alert makes it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.
  • Duration: A fraud alert lasts for one year, but you can extend it.
• File a complaint with your state consumer protection office
  • Contact directory: Find your state consumer protection office on USA.gov.

Remember: Stay vigilant and always verify the authenticity of communications from unknown sources.