Imposter scammers convince us of problems that can only be solved if we pay up or hand over our personal information. They also often claim the only solution is to follow their directions explicitly. Whenever someone contacts you with an urgent issue that demands immediate attention, pause, disengage, and verify all the facts independently.
In 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that scammers stole 3.5 billion dollars from victims by pretending to be someone else. Such “impersonation scams” consistently rank as the top type of con Americans face year in and year out.
In fact, here at Allstate Identity Protection, at least two-thirds of the members we helped in 2026 were wrestling with the fallout from imposter scams.
That’s why we’re heading into the new year with this screening test for you: before you share your money or personal information with someone, see if the scenario has any of these four signs.
The four signs of an imposter scam
Imposter scammers like to start fake fires and convince you they are there to help put out the flames. Their tricks often start with an unexpected spark that creates fear and requires immediate action.
Once they’ve created a sense of worry or urgency, scammers may pressure you to follow their instructions to keep the situation from getting worse. Here are four signs to watch for:
Sign one: The problem comes out of nowhere
The imposter’s outreach typically arrives out of the blue. Whether via a call, email, or text, you hear from someone you weren’t expecting, such as a:
Bank or credit card company
Customer support
Debt or tax collector
Family member or friend in distress
Fraud department
Job recruiter
Law enforcement (any branch or level)
Local, state, or federal government
Retailer
Shipping carrier
Tech support
A real-life digital bank robber
One Allstate Identity Protection member received a call that appeared to come from their bank’s fraud department. Because the caller already knew so much personal information about the member, they were convinced they were speaking with an authentic bank representative. The imposter convinced the member to move money to a “safe” account, resulting in the member’s loss of nearly $20,000.
Sign two: The problem sounds serious
Next, the caller or sender may introduce a problem that sounds serious. The situation may involve your money, identity, legal status, or an account you rely on, making it difficult to simply ignore.
The supposed problem could include:
A compromised account
A pending or current warrant
A request to verify your identity or account
A required software or security update
An immigration issue
Sign three: The problem needs immediate action
Now there’s pressure to put out the fire quickly.
The caller or sender may make it seem like waiting will only make the problem worse, pushing you to act before you’ve had a chance to stop and verify the situation.
Sign four: The "fix" requires your money and/or personal information
Now comes the supposed way to put out the fire. The caller or sender may claim the problem can only be resolved if you provide money or personal information and follow their instructions closely.
The “fix” might involve your:
Login credentials
Credit card or bank account numbers
Personally identifiable information (PII)
Money, such as cash, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, peer-to-peer payments, or gift cards
What happens after an imposter scam?
After you’ve done what the imposter instructed, they might bow out and leave you alone. Or they might prolong the scam to see if they can squeeze more money or information out of you.
Or, to further convince you they are who they claim to be (and buy themselves time to disappear), they might tell you they will follow up with further communication about the problem or confirmation that it is solved.
Whether you shared money or personal information, or stopped the scam before doing so, we’re here to help. If you’re a member, contact an Allstate Identity Protection restoration specialist for help figuring out what to do next.
“Never Ever” rules to remember
In 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC) kicked off its “Never, EVER” campaign to combat imposter scams. Other government agencies have shared similar warnings. Here are a few important “Never, Ever” rules to remember:
Never, Ever will someone from the government say: “Your money isn’t safe. Move it to protect it.”
Never, Ever will someone from the government threaten to suspend your government benefits if you don’t pay immediately.
Never, Ever will someone from the government demand that you pay cash or with a payment app, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or gift cards.
Never, Ever will someone from the government tell you to get cash and say they will send a driver to pick it up.
Never, Ever will someone from the government promise to increase your benefits if you pay a fee or move your money into a protected account.
