By Townhall Chicago News Staff
Impersonation scams accounted for nearly 60 percent of scam cases handled by Allstate from January through September 2026, making them the most common fraud threat of the year, the Northbrook-based insurer reported Wednesday.
The warning comes as the holiday shopping season approaches, a period when scam attempts typically spike as consumers increase their online transactions and charitable giving.
“Scammers make fraud look real by pretending to be someone you trust and pressuring you to act before you have time to think,” Caroline Slane, senior vice president of business operations for Allstate Identity Protection, said in a news release. “During the holiday rush, pause and verify an unexpected request before sending money.”
In impersonation scams, criminals pose as trusted people or organizations, such as banks, law enforcement agencies, delivery companies or family members, and pressure victims into sending money, according to the release. Allstate calls this category of fraud “fake-and-take” scams because criminals establish false trust and use urgency and fear to manipulate victims.
Nearly 75 percent of Allstate’s scam cases in 2026 involved a phone call from the scammer, the company reported. What often begins as a text, email or social media message frequently escalates to a phone call, where the impersonation becomes more believable.
Scammers also steer victims toward payment methods that are difficult or impossible to reverse. More than 90 percent of Allstate’s scam cases involved cryptocurrency, gift cards, peer-to-peer payment apps or wire transfers, according to the release.
Unlike traditional identity theft, impersonation scams typically involve victims voluntarily sending money after being deceived, which can make recovery more difficult, the company said. Financial institutions often do not reimburse authorized payments.
Allstate’s identity protection experts recommended several steps consumers can take to reduce their risk during the holiday season, according to the release. They include pausing before responding to urgent requests for money, verifying requests through a company’s official app or website rather than clicking links in unexpected messages, and shopping only with trusted retailers.
The company also warned that shopping scams rank among the five most common scam types reported to Allstate. Consumers should watch for deals that seem too good to be true, particularly from unfamiliar online shops and social media storefronts, the release said.
For charitable giving, Allstate recommended donating through official websites and being cautious of donation requests that ask for cryptocurrency, gift cards or peer-to-peer payments.
Allstate said it offers scam protection through participating employee benefits plans, including up to $50,000 in annual reimbursement for covered losses. Nearly 7.5 million eligible Allstate customers in 44 states also have access to free identity theft protection at no additional cost, including support from identity restoration specialists, according to the release.
Consumers who believe they have been targeted should stop communicating with the suspected scammer, save any messages or payment details and contact their financial institution, according to Allstate’s guidance.
