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Independent UK reporting on scams, fraud and financial harm

The Fraud Center

Scam type

Impersonation scams

Impersonation scams create a fake deadline to force a payment

An unidentified incoming call on a phone held in a dim hallway
Illustrative image for Impersonation scams.
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What it is

Impersonation fraud uses a fake authority claim: your bank's fraud team, HMRC, the police or another trusted body. The caller ID can be spoofed. The goal is always to make you move money, read out a code or install software that gives them control of your screen.

How to protect yourself

  • No genuine bank, HMRC or police officer will ask you to move money to keep it safe.
  • End the call, wait a minute, and phone back on the number published on the organisation's website or your card.
  • Do not read out one-time codes or install remote-access software at a caller's request.
  • If a payment has gone, call your bank first, then report it to Action Fraud.

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