Allstate said that nearly 60% of scam cases it handled between January and September 2026 involved impersonation, with scammers posing as trusted organisations or individuals to pressure victims into sending money. The insurer noted that almost 75% of these scams began with a phone call, and over 90% involved hard-to-reverse payment methods such as cryptocurrency, gift cards, peer-to-peer apps or wire transfers.
Allstate refers to this type of fraud as “fake-and-take” scams, where criminals use urgency and fear to manipulate victims. Unlike identity theft, impersonation scams often result in victims voluntarily sending money after being deceived. The company offers scam protection through employee benefits plans and free identity theft protection to 7.5 million policyholders in 44 states.
The rise in impersonation scams increases risk for insurers and policyholders, especially as criminals exploit payment channels that are difficult to trace or recover. Insurers may need to strengthen verification processes and educate customers on fraud tactics.
Senior executives should monitor scam trends and review their fraud response protocols, particularly around payment methods and customer communication channels.
