Imposter Scams... when someone is NOT who they claim to be!

 Read time: 2 minutes and 35 seconds

Imposter scams are the most common type. You would not give your money or login credentials to a scammer, thus the scammer pretends to be someone you can trust. For example: - Your bank - A business - A charity - A friend or relative on social media - A government agency - A tech support agent - A celebrity We could study hundreds of different imposter scams and learn specifically how to avoid each one. Yet it's far easier to simply remember the three early warning signs of a scam:

1. You're in dialog ...

2. ... which you did not start ...

3. ... and the topic turns to money (or anything valuable) …

It's a scam!

Let's take a deeper look at imposter scams.

1. You're in a dialog ...

A dialog can be email, phone, text, chat, popup window, message, face-to-face conversation, or ANY interaction.

A scammer doesn't want you to know they are a scammer. Scammers are experts at pretending to be someone they're not....

2. ... which you did not start ...

Scammers don't wait for you to find them. They reach out and contact you first.

Normally you would not even listen to a complete stranger's plan to relieve you of your money. Scammers pretend to be someone you trust (or at least will listen to), so that you'll lower your guard.

3. ... and the topic turns to money (or anything valuable) …

Scammers want your money and/or valuable info. The very instant this topic arises, you should be on high alert.

It's a scam!

How can you know if you're talking to an imposter instead of a real bank, business, friend or relative? It's simple! Always verify the story. You need facts, and the facts cannot come from the current dialog (which you did not start). END the dialog that you did not start. Next, gather facts from a brand-new dialog that YOU start. Find out if the imposter's story adds up. Contact the real person, business, etc. who supposedly contacted you. Avoid any phone number or link provided by the potential scammer. Instead, use a confirmed contact or login method you have used before, or a known phone number from a billing statement.

In the good old days, we could trust Caller ID. But not today! Spoofing software can make a phone call seem to originate from any number a scammer chooses. So... don't trust caller ID. Rely on the three early warning signs instead. In the past, the sound of someone's voice was a reliable indicator. Today, A.I. software and a few seconds of recorded voice (which can be harvested in one "oops, wrong number" phone call) can create a fake voice which sounds exactly like someone you know. Don't trust someone just because you recognize the voice. Rely on the three early warning signs instead.

Of course the scammer does not want you to think it through. The scammer pressures you to act fast, without thinking. Don't give scammers what they want. When it comes to giving away your money or personal info, slow down! Resist the pressure to act fast. Verify the facts.

There are a lot of scammers nowadays. Let's make their lives more difficult and less profitable, by recognizing the three early warning signs of a scam:

1. You’re in a dialog ...

2. … which you did not start ...

3. … and the topic turns to money ...

It's a scam!

Don't get fooled by imposters! Get a second opinion: fast, secure, easy, confidential, free! Contact ScamAvoid on (we're everywhere: Discord, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, ScamAvoid.com, email, etc.)