Imposter scams accounted for more than one third of all reported fraud in New Hampshire in 2024, according to reports by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This amounted to 3,083 out of 8,838 fraud reports, with nearly $35 million lost to fraudsters altogether.
With imposters on the rise not only in New Hampshire but throughout the country, its important to stay vigilant, understand how the scam works and steps to take to avoid becoming a victim.
Imposter scam tactics may vary slightly in appearance, but they all boil down to one thing – scammers pretending to be someone else in order to gain access to your money and/or personal information. They often use a sense of urgency, rushing the targeted individual to make an uninformed decision.
Common schemes include scammers pretending to be:
- Government officials – The IRS calls and demands payment with threats of legal action, or a police officer requests you move your money to a Bitcoin machine to keep it safe.
- Charities – Fake organizations pop up during times of crisis, siphoning off donations.
- Family members – A grandparent receives a phone call from a grandchild or family member in distress and in need of financial help.
- Tech support – A message appears on your computer, with a tech support specialist requesting remote access.
- Financial institutions – You receive a call from your bank with the need for verification of unauthorized charges.
The most important step to take if you encounter one of these situations is to slow down and process the details. Before sending money, clicking links or sharing personal information, ask yourself – is this real? Follow up separately with a trusted family member or friend, and reach out to your financial institution directly with contact information from their website or statement. Any situation where you feel rushed is a huge red flag for a scam.
Visit usa.gov/imposter-scams or consumer.ftc.gov/features/how-avoid-imposter-scams to learn more about imposter scams.
If you are a MVSB customer and you are concerned your personal or financial information was compromised due to fraud, please call us directly at 800.922.6872 so that we can assist you with protecting your accounts and identity.
