What to Do After an Authority Impersonation Scam

Why this happens to careful people too

An authority impersonation scam works because the caller sounds exactly like who they claim to be: a police officer, a bank fraud team, or a government agency. They may know your name, your identification number, or recent transactions, which makes the call feel real.

Being convinced by someone who sounds official is common, not a sign of carelessness. These callers rehearse the script, use real department names, and create urgency so you do not have time to check.

If you transferred money after a call like this, the priority now is reporting properly, not reviewing how you were fooled.

Report to the real agency and the police

Contact the real organisation the caller claimed to represent, using the number on its official website or your bank card, never a number the caller gave you. Ask them to confirm whether the call was genuine and to note the impersonation attempt.

Separately, file a police report, either at a station or with the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID). If the transfer was recent, call the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) on 997 first, since it can act quickly across banks.

Keep the call details, any messages, and the transfer receipt. These records support both the report and any later steps with your bank.

Talk to your bank about what happened

If you sent the money by bank transfer or DuitNow, tell your bank what happened. Ask about a recall attempt, especially if the transfer was within the last day or two. Some banks also have a fraud team that reviews cases like this separately from a standard dispute.

Explain clearly that you were responding to someone impersonating a known authority, since this detail affects how the bank assesses the case. Ask for written confirmation of whatever they can or cannot do.

When a civil claim is worth considering

If the receiving account is identified and the amount is meaningful, a civil claim against the scammer may become realistic. This route can sometimes trace and freeze funds faster than waiting on a criminal investigation alone.

Whether it makes sense depends on the amount, how quickly the account was traced, and what is left to recover. Legal help after a scam can walk you through whether the cost is worth it for your case. A look at whether legal action is worth pursuing helps set expectations early.

What to do next

Report to the real agency, the police, and NSRC 997 as soon as you can. None of these reports cost you anything, and each one keeps your options open.

For a wider view of what recovery can involve, see the recovery options overview. You do not need to have every detail sorted before reaching out for help.