Skip to main content

This post may contain affiliate links which may compensate us based on your interaction. Please read the disclosures for more information.

Business impersonation scams cost victims $660 million in 2023. Learn how to spot these scams, protect your info, and safeguard your finances from fraud. [[{“value”:”

Image source: Getty Images

Business impersonation scams are the most reported type of financial fraud. According to a May report by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), about 332,000 people fell victim to these scams in 2023, resulting in over $660 million in reported losses.

This alarming number highlights the need for individuals and businesses to learn what these scams look like — and how to protect their savings and investment accounts from fraud.

How do business impersonation scams work?

Business impersonation scams involve fraudsters pretending to represent well-known companies or government agencies. Think of the well-known scam where someone claiming to be from Microsoft calls to say you have a virus and is happy to walk you through how to remove it, but on a larger scale.

These types of scams can take many forms, but the goal is the same: to deceive victims into giving away sensitive information, transferring money, or providing access to company systems.

For example, you might get an email that looks as if it’s from a well-known bank offering a higher-than-average interest rate. You click the link and enter your details — like your Social Security number and bank account information — that the scammers use to steal your identity or drain your account.

Or you might get an email that looks like it’s from your company’s IT department asking you to reset your email password. When you click to “reset” your password, you’re actually giving the fraudsters access to your email, which they can use to send emails in your name or hack into the network.

Looking for the best savings account rates? Find the top high-yield savings account rates here.

How to protect yourself from business impersonation scams

Business impersonation scams are often easy to spot — if you know what to look for. If you get an email from a legitimate business, look at the sender email address carefully. Scammers might use random numbers and letters in their email addresses, or they might use similar but slightly off addresses like “microsoftsupport@gmail.com.” (A real email is likely to use @<businessname>.com, not a Gmail account.)

Be cautious of any text, email, or phone call that creates a sense of urgency, such as threatening to disconnect your service, warnings about suspicious activity, or threats to send to law enforcement. Scammers often use this tactic to scare their targets into taking a risky action.

Set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) on every account that offers it. Most investment apps, savings accounts, and brokerage accounts allow you to set up MFA, which requires a key from an authentication app or code from a text message to log in, in addition to your password.

Keep a close eye on all your financial accounts. Look for unauthorized access, charges you don’t recognize, or logins from odd locations. If anything seems off, call your financial institution using the phone number on your card or statement. Avoid calling a number included in an email when things are suspicious — scammers may send you a number that connects you to them, not your bank.

If you own a business, make sure your employees also know what to look out for. Regularly update your team on new scam tactics, and encourage them to double-check any requests from leadership to send money or gift cards.

Report suspected fraud to the FTC

If you suspect you’ve been targeted by a business impersonation scam, report it to the FTC and the impersonated company. This helps authorities track scam trends and warn the public about what to look for.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft and Target. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More 

Leave a Reply