Financial Services Compensation Scheme
Personal Banking
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Private Client
Impersonation Scams
Picture this: you’re enjoying your morning espresso when your phone rings. It’s your “bank.” Or is it? Impersonation scams are the artful - albeit criminal - performance of pretending to be someone trustworthy. Banks, government agencies, even your dear Aunt Margaret. All fair game.
How They Pull It Off:
Deception: A smooth fraudster slides into your inbox or calls you, who seems credible.
Urgency: They stir up panic - your account’s compromised! A bill unpaid! The drama!
Extraction: They want your secrets - PINs, passwords, or a tidy little bank transfer.
Their Toolkit Includes:
- Spoofed numbers and emails that look oh-so-legit.
- Fake websites and social media profiles that could win awards for believability.
- AI voice cloning - yes, they might sound like your mum.
Classic Examples:
“Your bank account is under attack - transfer your funds to safety!”
“HMRC here. You owe us. Immediately.”
“This is the police. Help us catch a criminal - send us your card.”
Security Advice:
- Verify independently. Call the real number. Not the one they gave you.
- Don’t be rushed. Real institutions don’t do panic.
- Hang up, breathe, and check. Always.