Protect yourself from impersonation fraud

Scammers pretending to be someone else are getting smarter, so it’s important to know how to spot them to keep yourself and your money safe.

Our Fraud Expert, Lucy Brown, explains the warning signs to watch out for and shares her easy tips for protecting your personal information.

What’s impersonation?

Impersonation is when someone pretends to be someone they’re not. They lie to trick you into revealing your personal details or sending them money.  They might even pretend to be you and try to get loans and credit cards in your name.

What’s an impersonation scam?

Impersonation scams happen when you’re tricked into sending money, personal information, or access to your accounts to a fraudster pretending to be someone else.

They often pretend to be from a trusted organisation, such as:

• Your bank
• The police
• A government department (like HMRC)
• A delivery company
• A utility company (such as your water, electricity or phone provider)

They might also pretend to be someone you know, like a friend or family member.

Different impersonation scams

Impersonation scammers often use urgent tactics to pressure you into sending them money. They might contact you by phone, text, email, or even in person.

Sometimes they use a technique called ‘cloning’, where they create emails or websites that look very similar to legitimate ones, tricking you into entering your details.

Watch out for common impersonation scams, such as:

• Government scams: A scammer claims to be from a government department, such as HMRC, saying you need to pay a fine or there will be severe consequences, such as you being arrested.

• Tech support scams: Scammers pretend to be from tech companies and claim that your device has an issue. They may trick you into giving them remote access to your device, which could allow them to steal your information.

• Bank scams: Scammers pretend to be from your bank and say that you need to move your money to a different account to keep it safe.

• Employment scams: Imposters pose as hiring companies and steal applicants’ personal information or money.

• Grandparent scams: Criminals pretend to be grandchildren and request money from unsuspecting grandparents.

• Romance scams: Scammers create fake dating profiles, gain your trust by dating you online, and then request money, usually for a fake emergency.

Warning signs

Scammers are using more advanced technology all the time. Sadly, this means that often people don’t realise they’ve been scammed until it’s too late.

Look out for the following warning signs:

•  Contacted out of the blue? Be suspicious if someone suddenly contacts you, for example through an unexpected phone call, text or email. Don’t click on links or reply to messages unless you’re sure it’s authentic.

• Being asked to move your money? If someone tells you to move your money to a different account to keep it safe, don’t do it. Your bank will never ask you to do this.

• Asked for personal information? Be very careful about giving out your personal details. If something feels off, cut communication and reach out to the company directly using a trusted method to verify the request.

• Being pressured? Scammers often create a false sense of urgency, pretending there’s an emergency to rush you into acting quickly.  They use these tactics to get you to send money before you realise it’s a scam.

• Too good to be true? If you’re being offered something that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always be sceptical and do your own research before taking action.

• Notifications from your bank? If you get unexpected alerts from your bank, it could mean someone has impersonated you and gained access to your accounts.

A real case from our Fraud Team

“Sarah* noticed a loan on her credit file that she didn’t recognise. When we checked her account details with her, we found that her contact details were wrong, which suggested impersonation fraud. 

The loan money went into a bank account she shares with her son, but she let us know that she didn’t notice this as she doesn’t check this account often.

Sarah came to the realisation that her son had taken out the loan in her name, by using her personal information to pretend to be her.

This case highlights how important it is to regularly monitor your accounts and safeguard your personal information, even with family.

Reviewing your credit file, setting up transaction alerts and making sure your contact information is always up to date can help you detect and prevent fraud early on” explains Lucy Brown, our Fraud Manager.

*We’ve changed her name for privacy

Protect yourself from impersonation fraud

If a criminal gets enough of your personal information, they may be able to attempt to take out financial products, like loans and credit cards in your name. This is also known as identity fraud.

4 tips to keep your personal data safe

Keep your personal information safe

Avoid sharing your personal details with anyone. Use strong passwords and consider adding an extra layer of security by using two-factor authentication. Secure your mail and shred documents with personal information before throwing them away.

Avoid using public Wi-Fi when checking your financial accounts

Public Wi-Fi is usually not secure, so avoid using it for online banking or financial transactions. If you must use public Wi-Fi, consider using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) for extra protection.

Don’t give anyone remote access to your devices

Never let anyone control your device remotely, especially if they contact you unexpectedly. This can prevent criminals from stealing your data and passwords.

Review your credit report and financial statements regularly

Check your financial statements and credit reports often. If you see any unexplained drops in your credit score, unfamiliar credit accounts, or purchases that you didn’t make, these can be signs of identity fraud.

I think I’m a victim of impersonation fraud. What should I do now?

If you think you’re a victim of impersonation fraud, it’s important to act quickly to limit the damage. Take these steps:

• Contact your bank and financial providers right away to secure your accounts and prevent any more unauthorised transactions.
• Report the fraud to Action Fraud online or by calling 0330 123 2040
• Check your credit reports from the three main credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). Look for any activity that you don’t recognise.
• Ask the main credit bureaus to add an extra security measure, like a password, to your accounts.

Key Takeaways

By being aware of these scams and their warning signs, you can better protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud. Be suspicious of anyone contacting you out of the blue, especially if they’re asking for your personal details or requesting money.