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.

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.

If you come across a website that is imitating another legitimate site to steal personal information, you can report it. Google Safe Browsing allows users to flag suspicious pages. Simply complete the form provided by Google to report the site. When you submit a report, some of your account and system details will be shared with Google for investigation.

Loan fee fraud: You’re accepted for a loan, but before it’s “approved”, you’re asked to pay a fee for insurance, processing or an admin charge. Once paid, the loan never arrives, and the scammer disappears with your funds.
Job scams: You apply for a job and are told you’ve been successful. But before you can start, you’re asked to pay for background checks, training, or admin costs. Once paid, the job offer vanishes, and so does the scammer with your money.
Social media competition: You’re told you’ve won a prize in a competition, perhaps one you never even entered. But to claim it, you need to pay a small fee for delivery, verification or admin. After you pay, the prize never arrives because the competition was fake.
Rental property scams: You find a great rental property online. The “landlord” asks for a deposit to reserve it, often claiming there’s a lot of interest or that you can’t view it in person. After you send the money, the property turns out to be fake — or already rented to someone else.

In the UK, impersonating someone with the intent to fraudulently obtain money, goods, or services is a criminal offence under the Fraud Act 2006 (FA 2006). Social media platforms are required to remove content that violates these laws when reported and to cooperate with law enforcement investigations.

Not exactly. Catfishing involves creating a fake online persona, often on social media or dating platforms, to deceive someone. This is typically done to build a fake romantic relationship or commit financial fraud. While catfishing can involve elements of impersonation, it usually focuses on fabricating a new identity rather than pretending to be a real person or organisation.

Online impersonation involves pretending to be another person or organisation to deceive someone, often for financial gain or to gather sensitive information. Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information—such as your National Insurance number or bank details—to impersonate you in financial transactions or other activities. While both involve deception, identity theft typically requires the theft of private details, whereas online impersonation can occur without direct access to your personal information.