Impersonation scams

Have you fallen victim to an impersonation scam? Get in touch and take the first step to recovering what’s rightfully yours.

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Impersonation scams in more detail

What is an impersonation scam?

Impersonation scams are on the rise, targeting individuals worldwide by posing as government agencies, banks, businesses, or even trusted acquaintances. Scammers use emails, phone calls, texts, and social media to deceive victims into sharing confidential information or making payments. Protect yourself from these fraudulent schemes—our team can help you take action and recover your losses.

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    How they start

    Impersonation scams involve the impersonation of a government body, bank, delivery or utility company, or other organisations and trusted people who then demand payment from you. In some cases, scammers will even impersonate your family or friends.

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    How they contact you

    This type of scam usually starts with an email, phone call, or even a text message, but there are many other ways the scammers will try to get in contact with you, such as through social media.

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    Common platforms targeted

    Social media has become a common platform for impersonation scams as the scammer will pretend to be someone, claiming that the old account is no longer in use in an attempt to dupe the victim into sharing personal and sensitive information.

How to identify an impersonation scam

Pressure tactics

One of the biggest signs of an impersonation scam is the sense of urgency in which the scammer has you believe that they need the money. If they are impersonating someone you know, or have dealt with recently, then you may be able to pick up on signs that they are not who they appear to be.

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Rushing you

Another sign is that they will often try to rush or panic you, scaring you into sending the money – it could be that they are in trouble and need money to get out of a difficult situation, or are threatening to suspend a service if you don’t pay.

Richard Irving

What to do when you have spotted an impersonation scam

If you spot an impersonation scam before you end up parting with money, it’s still important that you report the case. It is important that you report this instance to the National Cyber Security Centre as they can take further action. It is also important to make the real person or organisation aware that there is an impersonation scammer pretending to be them.

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Recovering over £40,000,000 for clients like you

Over the past 3 years, we’ve recovered more than £40,000,000 for our clients. It’s thanks to our team of solicitors and recovery claim specialists who trace and recover the investments you’ve lost from scams. Plus, we offer a no-win, no-fee service. You won’t pay a thing unless we recover your money.

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Falling victim to fraud can be overwhelming and distressing. You deserve expert guidance and support every step of the way. That’s what we’re here for.  

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Frequently asked questions

  • How to spot impersonation scams

    Impersonation scams share signs with many other types of investment fraud. One of the biggest signs of an impersonation scam is the sense of urgency in which the scammer has you believe that they need the money. If they are impersonating someone you know, or have dealt with recently, then you may be able to pick up on signs that they are not who they appear to be.

    Another sign is that they will often try to rush or panic you, scaring you into sending the money – it could be that they are in trouble and need money to get out of a difficult situation, or are threatening to suspend a service if you don’t pay.

    In some cases with impersonation fraud and scams, the fraudster can be impersonating someone you know, such as a friend or family member. There are two things you should look for if this is the case. Firstly, are they calling from an unknown number or have you received a message from a different number? If the impersonation scammer is calling/messaging from a number you don’t know, call the person it should be. If your friend or family member says it isn’t them, then you know it is an impersonation scam.

  • What to do when you have spotted an impersonation scam

    If you spot an impersonation scam before you end up parting with money, it’s still important that you report the case. It is important that you report this instance to the National Cyber Security Centre as they can take further action. It is also important to make the real person or organisation aware that there is an impersonation scammer pretending to be them. That way, they can make necessary changes to their personal security measures.

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