Look for these Red Flags

With a little practice, you can identify imposter and spoofing scams at-a-glance. Watch out for:

  • Calls or texts “from your bank” asking for passwords or codes.
  • Requests to move money “to protect your account.”
  • Caller ID or emails that look familiar but are slightly off.
  • Pressure to act quickly or keep the conversation secret.

An Example That Hits Close to Home

Kevin received a call from what appeared to be his utility company, warning him his power would be shut off in 30 minutes unless he made an immediate payment. The caller ID showed the real company name, and the representative sounded professional.

Under pressure, Kevin paid with a prepaid gift card, only to realize later it was a total scam.

How to protect yourself

Variations on the scam

Here are some common ways criminals might try to trick you into sending money or disclosing personal information.

  • Caller ID spoofing: Fraudsters disguise their number as a trusted contact.
  • Business email compromise: Fake vendor or boss emails requesting urgent payments.
  • Government imposters: Calls claiming to be from the IRS, SSA, or Medicare.
  • Tech support scams: Pop-ups or calls pretending to be software support asking for access.
  • Loved one scams: A fake text or voice call (using AI) that makes you think a family member needs urgent help.

Related advice articles

Don’t be fooled! These guides help you identify and stop spoofed calls and messages.

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What to do if something happens

Scams are designed to look convincing, and even the most careful people can get caught off guard. If something happens, don’t panic — there are steps you can take right away to protect your accounts and limit any damage:

  1. Change your password immediately and update your security questions if you can.
  2. Contact 1st Source right away through our Report Fraud page. We can help secure your accounts.
  3. Lock or freeze cards using card control in the mobile app until you’re confident everything is safe.
  4. Set up transaction and login alerts to keep a close eye on new activit
  5. File a report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov.

    6. It’s a free resource that helps you create a recovery plan.

In a nutshell

Imposter and spoofing scams thrive on urgency and trust. Slow down and verify before you act to stop fraudsters from succeeding. And if something does happen, we’ll work with you to secure your accounts.

Want to learn about other banking scams?

See our full list here:

Common scams and how to avoid them