Impostor scammers try to convince you to send money or share account details by pretending to be someone you know or trust, like a fellow iMPSS member or a colleague.

If you get a text or an email message from someone who seems like a colleague asking you to wire or transfer money or send gift cards to help them out of trouble, it could be a scam. Remember, phone numbers and email addresses can be faked.

What to do:

• Slow down and confirm the information before you act. Call the person or make contact through a different method to make sure they sent the message.
• Never assume a text or email message is legitimate—even if it uses a phone number or email address you recognize (as scammers can spoof their number and hide the true source).

Suspect a scam? Report it!

Contact your local police or sheriff’s office and your state attorney general.

Report consumer scams to the Federal Trade Commission.

You can also report scams involving the internet, such as scams involving mobile payment apps, to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.