An impersonation scam is when a scammer pretends to be someone else – such as a government official, investment adviser, or financial institution – in order to deceive the victim and gain access to money.
Warning Signs
- Unsolicited contact – Receiving unexpected calls, emails, or messages from someone claiming to be from a known organization.
- Urgency: Pressure to act quickly, trying to prevent you from seeking advice or thinking it through.
- Secrecy: Pressure to keep transaction confidential.
- Request for unusual payment methods: Scammer requests payment in cryptocurrency, cash, gold, or other untraceable means.
- Spoofed contact information: Email addresses that appear legitimate but whose names are slightly altered.
- Unusual web addresses: Links to websites which consist of strange combinations of letters and numbers, or which look like the company’s actual web address but with slight changes (such as wadfi.wa.gov instead of dfi.wa.gov).
Impersonation Scam Checklist
- Verify the identity – Contact the person or organization directly using official contact information, not what was provided in a message or call.
- Slow down – Scammers will pressure you to act quickly. Take time to verify identity.
- Don’t trust email display names – These can be spoofed to look legitimate.
- Check for suspicious details – Look for odd email addresses or unusual requests.
- Ask questions – If something feels off, consult someone you trust.