Bank & Police Impersonation Scams: The New Trick targeting your savings (and How to Stop It)

U.S. investigation: How bank & police impersonation scams target Americans of 50+ — and how a free cyber helpline is stopping the losses in minutes

Across the U.S., scammers are impersonating banks and police—often targeting adults 50+. The good news: a few quick habits can stop them. Here’s what to watch for and who to call.

Margaret, 72, from Ohio, got a call that appeared to be from her bank’s fraud team. The agent knew her surname and partial ZIP code. He asked her to read out a one-time passcode “to cancel a payment.” Within minutes, her online banking was locked and a remote-access app had been installed on her phone. Fortunately, her son spotted it and they called the helpline at (855) 247 9875 (617) 351-8170 for immediate help.

How Today’s Bank/Police Impersonation Scams Work

• Caller ID spoofing: The number looks like your bank or local police switchboard. It appears legitimate.
• Urgency & secrecy: “Don’t hang up. Don’t tell anyone. Your funds are at risk right now.”
• Remote control: They push you to install a “secure support” app (really a spying tool).
• “Safe account” myth: They tell you to move money to an “internal holding account.” There is no such thing.
• Passcode harvesting: They trick you into reading one-time codes meant to protect you.

5 Red Flags That Mean “Hang Up”

1. They ask you to move money “to a safe account.” Real banks never do this.
2. They want remote access (AnyDesk, TeamViewer, “Quick Support”).
3. They pressure you to read one-time codes or debit card numbers.
4. They ask you to keep the call secret or say you’ll “lose everything” if you stop.
5. You didn’t initiate the contact—they called or texted you first.

If You Answered — Do This Now

• End the call immediately. Don’t call back on the same line.
• Contact a U.S. cyber advisor: (855) 247 9875 (617) 351-8170 for a free device & account check.
• Remove remote-access apps and unknown profiles; change critical passwords.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on email and banking.
• Report to your bank and to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov; you can also file at the FBI’s IC3.gov. We’ll walk you through it.

Why call? Because speed matters. The sooner a specialist locks down your accounts and device, the harder it is for criminals to move or reuse your money and data.