Impersonation Scams Up by 148% – Here’s How to Stay Safe
As we navigate the vast digital landscape, it's becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent communications. A recent report from the 2025 Trends in Identity Report reveals that impersonation scams have surged by an alarming 148%. Such scams pose a significant threat to individuals, families, and organizations alike, as they rely on psychological manipulation to deceive victims into sending money or sharing confidential information.
To better understand the common types of impersonation scams and their reasons for increase, we examined the report in more detail. An impersonation scam is a form of social engineering attack where a cybercriminal pretends to be a trusted individual or organization to lure unsuspecting users into compromising their personal information or financial resources.
The most common types of impersonation scams during 2024 include emails claiming to be from the IT department, demanding immediate action to prevent security risks. These scams often involve fake phone calls and texts pretending to be representatives from well-known companies, charities, or government agencies. The ultimate goal remains the same – to exploit human trust, emotions, and social behavior for malicious purposes.
The Rise of Impersonation Scams: Why It Matters
According to the Trends in Identity Report, impersonation scams are among the top reported frauds to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), resulting in over $2.95 billion in losses for consumers in 2024. The scammers' lack of discrimination is evident, as younger adults and older adults alike are equally susceptible to these tactics.
Moreover, the rise of AI-powered tools has made it easier for scammers to create convincing voices, messages, and images, making their scams even more believable and harder to detect. This newfound accessibility has led to a surge in impersonation scams, with younger generations not being spared from this threat.
Tactics to Stay Safe from Impersonation Scams
To protect yourself from these scams, follow these simple yet effective tips:
- Develop a habit of trusting no one and verifying everything. Always be cautious when someone claims to be from a bank or agency and pressures you to act immediately.
- Use a good email security tool that blocks impersonation emails. Consider using privacy-focused email service providers like Proton Mail or Tuta Mail, which have built-in features to prevent such attacks.
- Limited what you share online. Never post personally identifiable information that could be combined to impersonate someone who knows you.
- Use the 15-Second Rule: count to 15 before taking any action in response to an unexpected call, email, or text urging you to send money, share confidential information, or act quickly.
By staying vigilant and following these simple yet effective strategies, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to impersonation scams. Remember, it's always better to err on the side of caution when dealing with unsolicited communications that demand immediate action.
Sandeep Babu is a cybersecurity writer with over four years of hands-on experience in reviewing various security tools and technologies. His work has appeared on well-known tech platforms like Geekflare, MakeUseOf, Cloudwards, PrivacyJournal, and more. He holds an MA in English Literature from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, and has earned industry-recognized credentials like the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate and ISC2’s Certified in Cybersecurity.
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