Scams & manipulation
Pause the pressure: how to spot an impersonation scam
A calm verification routine for messages designed to make you act before you think.
The story changes. The pressure pattern does not.
An impersonation scam may look like a bank alert, a message from a colleague, a family emergency or a government notice. The details are flexible because the real mechanism is emotional: create authority, narrow your time to think and isolate you from another opinion.
Modern tools can make the message polished and personal. A familiar logo, accurate details or a convincing voice should be treated as context—not proof that the sender is genuine.
Use the stop–leave–verify routine
Verification is strongest when it does not depend on anything the sender gave you. Leave the conversation, locate the organisation or person through a trusted source, and start a new contact yourself.
- Stop. Do not click, transfer money, share a code or install software.
- Leave. Close the message or call so the sender cannot keep applying pressure.
- Verify. Use an official app, a saved number, the back of your card or a known person.
- Compare. Ask whether the real organisation can see the same request or problem.
If you already acted
Contact the payment provider or bank immediately using its official channel. Change any password you entered on a suspicious page, starting with your email account, and end unknown sessions. If you installed remote-access software, disconnect the device from the network and seek trusted technical help.
Keep the original message, transaction details, website address and timestamps. Report the event to the relevant platform and local fraud-reporting authority. Acting quickly may limit additional loss, but avoid anyone who promises guaranteed recovery for an upfront fee.
Further reading
Primary and authoritative external sources used to support the guidance and provide additional context. RightsRelay is not affiliated with them.