imposter

An imposter is a person who deceives others by presenting themselves as someone else or as having a different identity, credentials, or status. Imposters may seek to gain money, access, information, or influence by impersonation, forgery, or misrepresentation. The term is used in many contexts, from everyday interaction to criminal schemes.

Impostor syndrome, also called impostor phenomenon, refers to a psychological pattern in which high‑achieving individuals doubt their abilities and feel like frauds despite evidence of competence. They fear exposure and attribute success to luck or external factors. It is not a clinical disorder, but it can affect motivation, performance, and self-esteem. Risk factors include perfectionism, new roles, and underrepresented status in a group.

Etymology and usage: Spelling variants include impostor and imposter. In security and crime contexts, an impostor is someone who fraudulently impersonates another to commit wrongdoing, such as identity theft or social engineering. In everyday language, the term can describe any deception involving a false identity or credentials. The concept has appeared in law and literature for centuries.

Prevention and response: To counter real impostors, verification procedures, due diligence, and security measures are important. For impostor syndrome, strategies include acknowledging real achievements, keeping a record of successes, seeking mentorship, and using cognitive‑behavioral approaches to reframe self‑doubt.