Impersonation Scam
Fraudsters posing as police, tax authorities, or other trusted organizations, pressuring you to pay immediately.
What is a impersonation scam?
An impersonation scam involves someone posing as a figure of authority, a police officer, a tax official, a courier, a utility company, to create fear or urgency and pressure you into paying money or handing over personal information. These scams rely on the assumption that you won't question someone who sounds official.
How it works
- 1
You receive a call, email, or text claiming to be from a government agency, law enforcement, or a well-known company.
- 2
You're told there's an urgent problem: an unpaid fine, a tax debt, a held parcel, or a compromised account.
- 3
You're pressured to resolve it immediately, often with a threat of arrest, legal action, or additional charges if you delay.
- 4
You're asked to pay via an unusual method, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer, or to grant remote access to your device.
- 5
Once payment is made or access is granted, the scammer disappears, or continues to extract more.
Warning signs to watch for
Threats of arrest or legal action for non-payment over the phone
Requests for payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer
Requests for remote access to your computer or phone
Refusal to let you call back through an official, independently verified number
Pressure to act within minutes, with no room to think it over
How to protect yourself
Remember: government agencies do not demand instant payment by gift card or cryptocurrency
Hang up and contact the organization directly using their official published contact details
Never give remote access to your device to someone who contacted you unsolicited
Take your time. Genuine legal or tax issues come with proper written notice, not a single urgent phone call
Has this already happened to you?
Stop all contact and don't make any further payments. If you've shared financial details, contact your bank immediately. Report the incident to the relevant authorities, and keep any messages, call logs, or payment records. Then get in touch with us for a free, honest assessment of your options.
Impersonation Scam questions
I gave them remote access to my computer. What should I do first?
Disconnect from the internet, run a security scan, and change your passwords, starting with email and banking. Then contact your bank if any financial information was exposed.
They already had some personal details about me. Is my identity at risk?
Possibly, and it's worth taking seriously. Monitor your accounts closely and consider a fraud alert with the relevant credit bureaus.
Is it still worth reporting if they didn't ask for money, just information?
Yes. Information alone can be used for further fraud, and reporting it early can help limit the damage.
Can you help even if no money has changed hands yet?
Our focus is recovery, but reaching out early is still worthwhile, both to get honest guidance and to help prevent a loss before it happens.
Other scam types
“The call sounded so official that I never once doubted it. They helped me understand exactly what happened and what to do next.”
— Ahmed F., client
Think this might be what happened to you?
Start with a free eligibility check, we'll tell you honestly whether there's a case worth pursuing.