Someone you love could be standing at a bank counter right now, ready to wire money to a stranger.The voice in their ear may sound calm, official and urgent.
Yet it could belong to a professional scammer who has already coached them on what to say.According to the FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report, reported losses from internet crime exceeded $20 billion.The FTC also says impostor scams remained the top scam category in 2025, with reported losses rising to $3.5 billion.Those numbers are alarming.
However, the real story often starts with one phone call.Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportHOW TO STOP IMPOSTOR BANK SCAMS BEFORE THEY DRAIN YOUR WALLETA scammer may coach a victim before they ever walk into the bank, including what to say and how to explain the withdrawal.(Antonio Diaz/Getty Images)Darius Kingsley, Head of Consumer Fraud and Scam Prevention at JPMorgan Chase, sat down with me for my CyberGuy Report podcast at CyberguyPodcast.com to explain what these scams look like from inside the bank.
He also shared how tellers spot red flags and what families can do before money disappears.Kingsley says scammers often begin by creating fear and urgency.Many pretend to be law enforcement or another trusted authority."What they're going to do is they're going to bring urgency," Kingsley said.
"One of the most common scams when you get someone on the phone is law enforcement, so you think you're talking to the police."That fake authority can make smart people freeze.The caller may cite a real agency.
They may even use the name of a real agent.Once fear kicks in, the scammer starts giving instructions.By the time a victim walks into a bank branch, the scammer may already have a script ready.
"They will have coached you," Kingsley said."They will have told you already what it is you need to say."That can include a fake reason for the withdrawal.
The scammer may tell the victim to say the money is for a home renovation or a family member.They may also warn that the b...