Scam library
Boss impersonation scams by text and email
A new number claims to be your manager and needs a quick favour.
Short answer
Boss impersonation is when a scammer messages staff pretending to be their manager, usually from a new number or personal email, asking for an urgent favour.
How it works
Scammers can find out who your manager is in about two minutes, usually from your company website or a professional networking profile. Then they message you from a new number pretending to be them.
"Hey, it's Sam, this is my new number. Got a minute?" It feels casual, which is the point. After a bit of chat comes the ask: pay something, share a code, send a file, or change someone's payroll details.
Because texts feel personal, people check less. And because it's "the boss," people want to help quickly.
The habit that beats it
If a new number claims to be someone you know, check through a number or channel you already have before doing anything. Save a new number only after you've confirmed it.
Red flags
- A new or unknown number says it's someone you know.
- It moves quickly to a request: money, codes, files, or payment details.
- They can't take a call right now.
- Something's slightly off: tone, spelling of a name, wording.
What to do
Don't act on it from the message. Contact the person on the number you already have saved, on your work chat, or in person.
This page is taken from the 3 minute NetMinder lesson staff see straight after clicking a practice email about this scam.