Scammers are becoming more sophisticated—and one of the most common tactics used today is imposter scams.

In a recent real-life incident, a Firstrust customer received a phone call from someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer. The caller said the customer had missed a court date and now faced legal action. To resolve the issue, the customer was instructed to send funds via wire transfer.

The caller even advised the customer to tell their bank the wires were intended to help friends—an attempt to avoid raising suspicion.

This was a scam.

While this case involved a fake law enforcement officer, imposter scams can take many forms. Fraudsters often pretend to be trusted organizations to pressure individuals into sending money or sharing sensitive information.

Common Imposter Scams—and What They Sound Like

• Government or Law Enforcement Scams
  ‍
  Typical scam message: “You missed a court date,” “you owe fines,” or “legal action is pending.”
  Goal: Pressure you into making an immediate payment to "resolve" the issue.
  ‍
• Bank or Fraud Department Scams
  ‍
  Typical scam message: “We’ve detected suspicious activity,” or “we need to secure your account.”
  Goal: Get you to share information or move money quickly.
  ‍
• Utility or Service Provider Scams
  ‍
  Typical scam message: “Your service will be shut off today unless you pay immediately.”
  Goal: Create urgency and collect payment fast, often through hard-to-trace methods.
  ‍
• Delivery or Package Scams
  ‍
  Typical scam message: “There’s a problem with your package," or “a fee is required for delivery.”
  Goal: Collect payment or personal information.
  ‍
• Healthcare or Insurance Scams
  ‍
  Typical scam message: “There’s an issue with your coverage,” or “payment is needed for services.”
  Goal: Obtain sensitive personal or financial details.
  ‍
• Tech Support Scams
  ‍
  Typical scam message: “Your device or account has been compromised.”
  Goal: Gain remote access, login credentials, or payment for "fixes."
  ‍
• Family or Friend Impersonation Scams
  ‍
  Typical scam message: “I need help—this is urgent.”
  Goal: Get you to send money quickly using emotional pressure.

Warning Signs of an Imposter Scam

No matter who they claim to be, imposter scams share common red flags:

• Urgent requests requiring immediate action
• Pressure to send money or transfer funds
• Instructions to keep the request confidential
• Being told what to say—or not say—to your bank
• Unexpected contact from a "trusted" organization

How to Protect Yourself from Imposter Scams

• Pause and verify. Hang up and contact the organization directly using a known, trusted phone number.
• Don't act on urgency. Scammers rely on panic to influence decisions.
• Never send money based on an unexpected request.
• Contact your bank immediately if something feels suspicious. For Firstrust Bank, call 800-220-BANK.

The Bottom Line

Imposter scams rely on trust and urgency—but the warning signs are consistent.

If something feels unusual, take a moment to pause and verify before taking action. That simple step can help protect your money and your personal information.