Contextual Impersonation
Last reviewed: 2026-01-03
Contextual impersonation is when scammers reference real events—disasters, local news, recent purchases, workplace changes—to make a request seem timely and credible. AI makes contextual impersonation easier by producing messages tailored to current situations. SAF recommends treating context as a risk signal, not proof: the more "timely" and urgent a request is, the more verification is required.