Your phone rings, and the caller says they are from your bank or credit union. They claim there is suspicious activity on your account and that you need to act immediately.
The caller may know your address, part of your account number, or other personal information. That familiarity can make the message feel legitimate.
Impersonation scams work because scammers borrow the trust we normally place in financial institutions, government agencies, technology companies, and loved ones. Once you believe the person contacting you is real, you may focus on solving the supposed problem instead of questioning the message.
Why These Scams Work
Scammers often create fear, confusion, or urgency to prevent you from slowing down. They also know that people are easier to manipulate when they feel rushed, embarrassed, confused, or afraid. So the message often comes with pressure.
They may tell you to:
- Act immediately
- Stay on the phone
- Share a security code
- Move money to a “safe” account
- Keep the situation secret
- Install software on your device
The pressure is not incidental. It is one of the scammer’s main tools.
Types of Impersonation Scams
Bank or Credit Union
This is one of the most common versions. You receive a text, call, or email that appears to come from your bank or credit union. It may warn about suspicious charges, a locked account, a failed login attempt, or a problem with your debit card.
The goal is usually one of three things. The scammer wants you to click a fake login link, reveal personal information, provide a security code, or send money under the claim that your funds need to be "protected."
Sometimes the scammer says your money is at risk and tells you to transfer it to a "safe" account. That is not how legitimate financial institutions protect customers. A real bank or credit union will not ask you to move your money to protect it from fraud. And it will not ask you to buy gift cards, deposit cash into a crypto ATM, or send money through a payment app to fix an account problem.
Government
Another common pattern is the fake government contact. The scammer claims to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, law enforcement, immigration, or another official agency.
These scams often lean heavily on fear. You may be told there is a warrant for your arrest, a problem with your taxes, suspicious activity tied to your Social Security number, or a threat to your benefits. The message may sound formal and serious on purpose. That tone is meant to shut down your skepticism.
Real government agencies do not handle serious financial or legal matters by demanding immediate payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. They also do not usually resolve major issues through a threatening phone call out of the blue.
Family Emergency
Some impersonation scams pretend to be someone you know. A caller claims to be your child, grandchild, sibling, or friend and says there is an emergency. They need money now. They are in jail. They were in an accident. They are stranded while traveling. They do not want anyone else to know.
These scams can be especially persuasive because they target emotion first and logic second. If you think someone you love is in danger, your first instinct is to help. That is exactly what the scammer is counting on.
New technology has made these scams even more convincing. Voice-cloning tools can mimic a person's voice well enough to create panic in the moment. That makes it even more important to slow down and verify the story through a number or contact method you already have.
Tech Support
In another version, the scammer pretends to be from a well-known tech company or device manufacturer. You may get a call saying your computer has a virus. Or you may see a frightening pop-up warning that your device has been compromised and telling you to call a support number immediately.
The scammer's goal is often to gain remote access to your device, collect payment for fake repair services, steal passwords, or install malware.
A real company is not likely to cold-call you because your laptop has a virus. And a pop-up screaming that your computer is infected and that you must call a number right now is not customer service. It is theater.
How to Respond
The safest rule is simple:
Do not use the message itself to verify the message.
If someone claims to be from your financial institution, hang up and call the number on the back of your card. If you receive an account alert, open the organization’s official app or type its website address yourself.
If a loved one calls with an emergency, contact them through a number you already have. If someone claims to represent a government agency, find the agency’s contact information on its official website.
Never share passwords or security codes with someone who contacted you unexpectedly. Do not let a caller keep you on the phone while you transfer money, access accounts, or install software.
It is okay to end the conversation. You do not owe politeness to someone pressuring you about money.
If You Already Responded
Stop communicating with the person and contact the affected institution directly. Change exposed passwords, review recent transactions, secure any compromised devices, and report suspicious activity as quickly as possible.
Received a suspicious call, text, or email claiming to be Sunmark? Contact us directly at 866-SUNMARK or visit your local financial center, so we can help you review and protect your account.
