Scammers are constantly finding new ways to gain people’s trust, one of the most common tactics they use is impersonation. An impersonation scam occurs when a fraudster pretends to be someone you know or an organization you trust, such as a government agency, law enforcement officer, business, financial institution, or even a friend or family member.

Their goal is to convince you to act quickly before you have time to think. They may create a sense of urgency, claim there is a problem that needs immediate attention, use fake credentials, or send official-looking emails, texts or phone calls to make their story seem legitimate.

The good news is that a few simple habits can help you stay one step ahead of scammers.

Pause and Take 5 Before You Respond.

When you receive an unexpected call, email, text or social media message, take a moment before responding. Ask yourself:

• Does this request feel urgent?
• Am I being pressured to act immediately?
• Is someone asking me to keep this a secret?
• Does anything about this seem unusual?

If something feels off, trust your instincts and take the time to verify the request before taking action.

Verify the Source.

Instead of responding directly to a suspicious message, contact the person or organization using information you know is legitimate.

Look up the phone number, website, or email address from the organization’s official website and reach out directly to confirm whether the request is genuine.

Be Careful with Links and Attachments.

Unexpected emails and text messages may contain links to fake websites or attachments that install malicious software on your device.

Avoid clicking links or opening attachments unless you are certain they came from a trusted source.

Protect Your Personal Information.

Legitimate organizations will not ask for sensitive information such as passwords, PINs, one-time passcodes or remote access to your device.

If someone requests this information, it should be treated as a major red flag.

Report Suspicious Activity.

If you encounter a potential scam, reporting it can help protect others. Suspicious online activity can be reported to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov.

Stay Vigilant.

Impersonation scams often rely on catching people off guard. Taking a moment to slow down, verify information and question unexpected requests can make all the difference.

Remember: when in doubt, pause, verify and protect your personal information. A little caution today can help prevent a much bigger problem tomorrow.