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disb

Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking

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Spot an Imposter!

The DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) is warning residents to stay vigilant against affinity fraud, a deceptive scheme where fraudsters exploit trust within close-knit groups to push fake investments.

Spot an Imposter!

Did you know there were 92 impersonation complaints in the District in 2024, totaling $1.6M in losses? The DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) wants you to be on the lookout for imposter scams.

How Are These Scams Perpetrated?
Imposter scams involve scammers pretending to be someone they’re not to trick you into giving them money, access to your financial accounts, or personal information. They often pose as businesses or government agencies using email, texts or phone calls.

Spot Imposter Scams

  • Caller ID Spoofing: Scammers fake caller ID to appear as a known business or government agency.
  • Fake Credentials: Scammers provide fake employee IDs or use names of real employees.
  • Phishing Emails: Scammers send emails that look official but have slight inaccuracies.
  • Urgent Calls or Texts: Scammers demand immediate personal information or payments.

Avoid Imposter Scams

  • Know Your Rights: You have legal protections even if you owe debt or miss jury duty. Research the agency or business to confirm their existence.
  • Verify Before You Act: Never click on links or call numbers in unexpected messages. Verify the story using contact information from the official website.
  • Protect Your Money: Never send money, cryptocurrency, or gold to unknown callers. Don’t believe anyone who says you must move your money quickly.
  • Talk to Someone You Trust: Discuss any account or identity issues with someone you trust, especially if the caller claims it's serious or involves a crime.

If you believe you’ve been a victim of an imposter scam, contact the DISB Enforcement and Consumer Protection Division at 202.727.8000. You can also report to:

  1. FBI: Internet Crime Complaint Center (Home Page - Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)) or call the FBI Washington Field Office at 202.278.2000.