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Don’t Be Fooled: How to Spot and Stop Imposter Scams
October 27, 2025
This Halloween, the scariest costumes might not be at your
door, they could be in your inbox or on the other end of the phone. Imposter
scams are on the rise, and these fraudsters are masters of disguise. They
pretend to be someone you trust—like your bank, the IRS, Medicare, or even a
well-known charity, all to trick you into handing over money or sensitive
information.
Don’t Be Spooked: Watch for These Red Flags
Imposter scams can take many forms: phone calls, emails,
text messages, or even social media. But no matter the disguise, they often
share the same eerie warning signs:
They ask for personal information like your
Social Security number, account number, or online banking credentials.
They request payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency,
wire transfers, or person-to-person payment apps.
They claim to be from a legitimate organization
but use urgent or threatening language to rush you into action.
These scammers are skilled at creating a sense of urgency
and fear. Here are a few examples:
The IRS Scam
“This is Agent
Miller from the IRS. You owe back taxes. Pay now or face arrest.”
Scammers impersonate government officials and demand
immediate payment. They may spoof caller IDs and use official-sounding
language. The IRS will not call to demand payment or threaten arrest without
due process.
The Grandparent Scam
“Grandma, it’s me.
I’m in trouble and need bail money. Please don’t tell anyone.”
This emotional scam targets older adults, pretending to be a
grandchild in distress. Victims are urged to send money quickly—without
verifying the story. They may even hand the phone to a fake “police officer” to
make the story more convincing.
The Tech Support Trap
“We’ve detected a
virus on your computer. Let us fix it remotely.”
Scammers pose as tech support agents from legitimate
companies such as Microsoft or Apple. They ask you to download remote access
software, then steal your data or demand payment for fake repairs.
The Prize or Sweepstakes Scam
“Congratulations!
You’ve won a $5,000 gift card. Just pay a small processing fee to claim it.”
If you didn’t enter a contest, you didn’t win one. These
scams lure victims with fake prizes, then ask for payment or personal details
to “release” the winnings. Legitimate sweepstakes never require upfront fees.
How to Break the Spell
This spooky season, don’t let scammers cast a spell on your
judgment. Here’s how to protect yourself:
Hang up or delete the message. Don’t engage with
suspicious calls or texts.
Slow down. Scammers rely on urgency. Take time
to think.
Verify independently. Call the organization
directly using a published, trusted number—not the one provided in the message.
Talk to someone. A second opinion can save you
from a costly mistake.
Report the scam. You can report fraud attempts
to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
We’re Here to Help
Remember, Opportunity Bank of Montana will never call or
email you asking for your personal information or payment details. If you ever
receive a suspicious message claiming to be from us, please contact your local
branch.
Be aware, stay alert, and don’t let fraudsters haunt your
finances.
