During International Fraud Awareness Week, it is important to recognize that scammers don't just impersonate banks. Criminals frequently pose as government agencies, law enforcement officers, technology companies, delivery services, utility providers, employers, and even family members to gain trust and pressure victims into sending money or sharing sensitive information. Impersonation scams remain one of the most commonly reported fraud types in the United States. In 2025 alone, consumers reported losing approximately $3.5 billion to imposter scams, making them the most reported fraud category for the fifth consecutive year, as per the FTC.
1. Government Impersonation Scams
Scammers pretend to represent agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, FBI, local police departments, or court systems. Victims are often told they owe taxes, missed jury duty, have an outstanding warrant, or must pay a fee to avoid arrest or legal action.
Common Red Flags:
Between January 2025 and July 2026, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received nearly 61,000 complaints involving government or law enforcement impersonation, resulting in more than $1.6 billion in reported losses.
2. Law Enforcement Impersonation Scams
A growing variation involves criminals posing as police officers, FBI agents, U.S. Marshals, or court officials. Fraudsters often spoof legitimate phone numbers and use convincing titles, badge numbers, and credentials.
Victims may be told:
The scammer then demands payment to "resolve" the issue. Legitimate law enforcement officials do not demand immediate payment over the phone.
3. Tech Support Scams
In these schemes, fraudsters claim to represent companies such as Microsoft, Apple, antivirus providers, or internet service providers. Victims may receive a pop-up message, text message, email, or phone call warning that their device has been hacked or infected with malware.
The scammer attempts to:
The FBI continues to identify tech support scams as one of the most frequently reported fraud schemes affecting consumers, particularly older adults.
4. Package Delivery and Toll Payment Scams
Scammers impersonate shipping companies, toll authorities, or delivery services and send text messages claiming a package is delayed or a toll payment is overdue.
The messages often contain:
These scams exploit the convenience and urgency associated with online shopping and travel. Government imposter scams tied to fake toll payment messages increased significantly in recent years.
5. Utility Company Scams
Criminals impersonate electricity, water, gas, or cable providers and claim service will be disconnected immediately unless payment is made.
Victims are often pressured to pay using:
Legitimate utility companies generally provide multiple notices before service interruptions and do not require unconventional forms of payment.
6. Family Emergency (Grandparent) Scams
Fraudsters pose as grandchildren, relatives, or attorneys, claiming a loved one has been arrested, injured, or stranded and urgently needs money.
These scams often rely on:
The FBI continues to identify grandparent scams as a common form of elder-targeted fraud.
How to Protect Yourself
Regardless of who the caller, texter, or email sender claims to be, remember these fraud prevention tips:
✅ Slow down and verify before acting.
✅ Never send money to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
✅ Do not trust caller ID. Phone numbers can be spoofed.
✅ Independently contact the organization using a phone number from its official website.
✅ Never provide online banking credentials, one-time passcodes, or personal information to unsolicited callers.
✅ Be skeptical of threats, urgency, or demands for secrecy.
✅ Discuss suspicious requests with a trusted family member or friend before responding.
Impersonation scams succeed because criminals exploit trust, authority, fear, and urgency. Whether someone claims to be a government official, police officer, technology representative, utility company employee, or family member in distress, take time to verify the request before taking action. A few minutes of caution can prevent a significant financial loss.
If you believe you have been targeted by a scam, contact us directly.
Visit our Security & Protection page for more information about protecting yourself, your business, and to learn about common fraud scams.