Scammers are targeting everyone these days—including PPA members—and their tactics are getting more sophisticated. In some cases, they’ve gone so far as to impersonate official PPA or Imaging USA websites, offering fake hotel discounts or mimicking our membership sign-up process. 

They may also pose as PPA staff or other trusted sources in emails, texts, or calls. If something seems suspicious, it probably is. To stay safe, always start at our official sites—PPA.com and ImagingUSA.com—and double-check URLs before clicking. Here’s how to spot scams and protect yourself:

1. Pause Before You Click or Call 

• Fraudsters often send urgent texts, emails, or social posts prompting you to click a link or call now. 
• Tip: Never follow a prompt right away. Instead, go directly to the organization’s official website or phone number to verify—don’t use links or numbers in the message. An increasingly common scam known as government imposter scam are good to familiarize yourself with. Don’t fall for these! 

2. Scrutinize URLs & QR Codes 

• Fake domains might look identical—www.ppaphotos.com vs www.ppaphotos.com—or use punycode tricks. 
• Tip: Hover before clicking, inspect the full URL, look for the padlock icon, and only scan unexpected QR codes if you can verify the source. There are also apps you can download on your phone to verify the source of QR code before scanning, such as Total AV. Be vigilant of QR code scams!

3. Don’t Trust Caller ID or “From” Addresses 

It’s a sad reality, but you need to remain skeptical of calls coming through your phone now as well. You can always hang up and call back the official number you have on file for these businesses. Same goes for email addresses. Pay close attention to the “From” field, and if you have any hesitation, don’t respond. Instead, find the official email address to respond to an inquiry with. 

• Scammers now use caller ID spoofing or fake email sender names like “PPA Member Services.” 
• Tip: Call back using official numbers, not the one sent in the message. Never provide your personal information or credit card information to a random caller, even if that caller ID reflects your banking organization, or a photography organization like PPA or Imaging USA. 
   

4. Beware of Vishing, Smishing & Quishing 

Scammers come up with new ways to trick people every day. A great way to remain vigilant is to familiarize yourself with the common scams and how they work.

• Vishing: Voice phishing via phone. 
• Smishing: Text-message phishing. 
• Quishing: QR-code phishing. 
• A common thread for all these methods is that they often demand immediate info or payment. Do not fall for it!
• Tip: When you receive a strange text, voice call, or encounter a QR code, slow down before taking any action. Scammers rely on creating a sense of urgency, so you will override your instincts to investigate further. NEVER provide personal details or payment info over the phone/text. Don’t reply to suspicious texts—just block and delete.  

5. Use Tech Defenses—But Stay Alert 

• Be sure to enable spam filters, keep antivirus updates on, and turn on multifactor authentication (MFA). 
• Businesses can implement authentication protocols such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC that work together to prevent email spoofing—but scammers still bypass these, so remaining vigilant is key! 

6. Don’t Give Info Unless You Initiate It 

• No legitimate organization will request confidential details from you (e.g. SSN, license number, bank details) completely out of the blue.
• Tip: If suspicious, hang up or delete the message and verify via official channels. 

7. Report & Recover 

Report scams to agencies like:

• FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov 
• BBB via BBB.org/ScamTracker 
• If personal data was compromised, visit IdentityTheft.gov for recovery steps. 

  
Suggested Resources for Members 

• FTC – How to Recognize & Avoid Phishing Scams (Consumer Advice) 
• FTC – Government & Impersonation Scam Tips  
• BBB – Spot the Red Flags of Fake Text Messages 
• BBB – How to Avoid Impostor Scams 

Protect Your Business with Cyber Insurance 

Even the most cautious professionals can fall victim to a clever scam or data breach. That’s why having Cyber Insurance is a smart move for photographers who store client data, accept online payments, or run a website. 

Cyber insurance can help cover the cost of data recovery, legal fees, lost income, and even notifying clients if personal information is exposed. It’s an extra layer of protection that keeps a scam from turning into a business-ending crisis. PPA members can explore photographer-specific coverage through PPA’s Insurance Solutions program. Learn more: PPA.com/insurance