Pressure tactic 11 of 12
Impersonation scams: fake banks, brands and family members
Pretending to be someone you trust: a bank, an agency, a company or a relative.
How it sounds
This is your bank. We've detected unusual activity.
Hi Mum, I lost my phone. Can you send money?
Your package is on hold. Pay the customs fee here.
What it is
Messages that borrow a trusted identity to ask for money, codes, logins or personal details. AI voice and text tools have made them far more convincing.
Why it works: Trust in the borrowed name skips the checks you'd apply to a stranger.
How to spot it
- Unexpected contact that asks for urgent action.
- Requests for one-time codes, passwords, gift cards, crypto or wire transfers.
- Addresses, links or phone numbers that are slightly wrong.
Your counter-move
- Don't use the contact details in the message.
- Reach the organisation or person through a channel you already know.
- Never share a one-time code with anyone.
Say this
“I'll contact you through the number I already have.”
Where you'll see it: Text messages, email, phone calls and social media DMs.
Think you're facing impersonation?
Paste the message or offer. The free Pressure Check quotes the exact words that show each tactic, and suggests what to do next.
Run a free Pressure CheckRelated tactics
Questions
What is impersonation?
Pretending to be someone you trust: a bank, an agency, a company or a relative. Messages that borrow a trusted identity to ask for money, codes, logins or personal details. AI voice and text tools have made them far more convincing.
How can I tell if it's impersonation?
Unexpected contact that asks for urgent action. Requests for one-time codes, passwords, gift cards, crypto or wire transfers. Addresses, links or phone numbers that are slightly wrong.
What should I say when someone uses impersonation?
Try: "I'll contact you through the number I already have." Then: Don't use the contact details in the message. Reach the organisation or person through a channel you already know. Never share a one-time code with anyone.
Browse all twelve in the pressure tactics library, read the Black Friday field guide to see them in action, or practise spotting them in Spot the tactic, one made-up message a day.