Why this matters
Impersonation fraud is when a scammer pretends to be an organisation or person you trust — your bank, a payment provider, the police, a tax office, customer support, or even a family member. Trust is the shortcut to your money, so fraudsters borrow the identity of whoever you're least likely to question.
Once you can recognise impersonation, the specific disguise stops mattering — the tactics give it away.
Who fraudsters pretend to be
Your bank or payment provider — warning of "fraud on your account" and urging you to act.
The police or a government body — claiming you owe money or are involved in a crime.
A tax authority — demanding immediate payment to avoid fines or arrest.
Customer support — offering to "fix" a problem or "reverse" a charge.
A delivery or utility company — a small "fee" or "verification" to release a parcel or keep service.
Someone you know — a friend, relative, or colleague in sudden need. → See: Social Engineering: How Fraudsters Manipulate You
Us. Fraudsters impersonate Blackcat too. → See: Spotting Fake Messages That Pretend to Be Blackcat
How impersonation scams work
The fraudster contacts you posing as a trusted authority, uses that authority to create fear or urgency, and pushes you toward the real goal: sharing a code or password, making a payment, or granting access to your account or device. Modern versions can spoof real phone numbers, copy official branding, and even clone a familiar voice. → See: Emerging Scam Techniques to Watch
Warning signs
Unexpected contact claiming to be an official body or company.
Urgency, threats, or fear — arrest, fines, account closure, lost money.
Requests for codes, passwords, or personal details.
Instructions to move money to a "safe account." → See: "Safe Account" & Bank Impersonation Scams
Requests to install an app or grant remote access.
A caller ID or sender name that looks right but a request that doesn't — spoofing makes these easy to fake.
How to protect yourself
Don't trust contact details in the message. Hang up or close it, then reach the organisation through an official number or app you find yourself.
Verify independently. Real institutions expect you to check and call back.
Never share codes or passwords, and never move money because someone told you to on a call.
Don't act on caller ID alone — numbers and names can be spoofed.
Ask us. If someone claims to be Blackcat, confirm through the 24/7 support chat in the app.
What it looks like in practice
"This is your bank's fraud department. To secure your funds, move them to a safe account now."
"This is the tax office. You have an unpaid fine — pay immediately to avoid arrest."
"Blackcat support here — to reverse the fraudulent charge, read me the code we just sent."
What to do if you responded
Stop contact and don't send money or share anything further.
Change your password if you shared login details.
Contact us immediately through the in-app support chat if you moved money, shared card details, or granted access.
Remove any remote-access app you were told to install.
Report it so we can act and warn others.
→ See: I Think I've Been Scammed: Immediate Steps