IMPERSONATION FRAUD: Recognizing False Authority, Verifying Identity, and Responding Safely

The call looks real. The number appears to match your bank. The voice sounds convincing. The message feels urgent. And the instruction is simple: act now.Impersonation fraud succeeds because it exploits trust.Fraudsters pretend to be banks, government agencies, technology companies, delivery services, trusted organisations or even family members in distress. They may use caller ID spoofing, convincing text messages, stolen personal information and increasingly sophisticated AI-generated voices to make the contact seem genuine.Impersonation Fraud is a short, practical guide designed to help you recognise what is happening, verify who you are really dealing with and respond safely - before you click a link, transfer money or reveal a security code.Inside, you'll learn how to: - Spot warning signs in bank, government, tech-support and delivery impersonation scams- Understand caller ID spoofing, phishing, smishing and vishing- Recognise pressure tactics involving urgency, secrecy and demands to "move your money to a safe account"- Respond to AI voice-cloning and family-emergency scams- Verify suspicious contact using independent channels you control- Know what to do if you have already responded, shared information or sent money- Report suspected impersonation fraud through the appropriate channelsAt the centre of the guide is a simple five-step routine: Recognise. Verify. Pause. Protect. Report.It gives you a practical habit you can use whenever a call, text, email or message does not feel right.Written for everyday readers and professionalsEveryday readers get plain-English explanations, realistic scenarios, practical checks and clear actions they can use immediately.For fraud, banking, compliance and financial-crime professionals, dedicated Professional Lens sections examine common red flags, fraud typologies, control considerations and customer-conversation points.Written by financial crime professional Lynette Leslie, a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Professional with experience across banking, KYC and financial crime compliance.Protect yourself. Help protect the people around you. And know what to do before urgency turns into loss.