What is Spoofing? A Guide to Identifying & Avoiding Imposter Scams

Scammers are getting more sophisticated, using advanced tactics to deceive people and steal personal information. One of the most common methods is spoofing, where fraudsters disguise their identity to appear as a trusted source. Whether it’s a fake phone call, a deceptive email, or a misleading text message, spoofing can make it difficult to tell the difference between a scam and a legitimate communication.

How Does Spoofing Work?

Spoofing scams rely on falsifying caller IDs, email addresses, or website information to impersonate banks, government agencies, or other trusted sources. Fraudsters have been using this tactic through email for decades, but now they also target victims through phone calls, text messages, and even fake websites—all designed to manipulate people into revealing sensitive details, such as login credentials, financial information, or Social Security numbers.

Understanding the different types of spoofing scams can help you recognize and avoid them.

Types of Spoofing Scams

1. Caller ID Spoofing (Phone Spoofing)

Caller ID spoofing occurs when a scammer manipulates the caller ID display to make it look like the call is coming from a legitimate source—such as your bank, a government agency, or even a family member.

Originally, this method was used by businesses as a marketing tool, but today, scammers are using it to steal money and sensitive information.

Normally, your phone displays the real name and phone number associated with an incoming call. However, fraudsters use spoofing services to fake this information, making it appear as though the call is coming from a trusted source—even when it’s not.

Using this tactic, a scammer looking to gain access to a victim’s bank account will spoof the phone number of the victim’s bank. They will then claim there’s been unusual activity on the account and ask the victim to provide sensitive information to “fix” the issue. These spoof calls often create a sense of urgency, saying things like:

• “There’s no time to waste—you could lose everything to a fraudster!”
• “Your account is at risk! Provide your password to secure it now.”

Once personal information is shared, the scammer can take over the account and initiate unauthorized transactions, sometimes in a matter of minutes.

2. Email Spoofing (Phishing Emails)

Email spoofing (“phishing”) happens when a scammer sends a fraudulent email that appears to come from a legitimate source, such as a bank, retailer, or government agency.

Scammers use fake email addresses that closely resemble real ones to trick victims into clicking malicious links, downloading malware, or providing sensitive information.

Warning signs of a phishing attack include:

• The sender’s email address is slightly altered (e.g., “support@yourbank-secure.com” instead of “support@yourbank.com”).
• The email urges immediate action, such as clicking a link or verifying your account.
• There are spelling errors or generic greetings like “Dear Customer” instead of your actual name.

Always verify the sender’s email address, hover over links before clicking, and avoid opening unexpected attachments. If something feels off, contact the company directly through official channels.

3. Website Spoofing

Website spoofing is when scammers create fake websites that mimic real ones to trick users into entering their personal information. These sites often:

• Look nearly identical to the real website.
• Use slightly altered URLs (e.g., “penncommunitybanc.com” instead of “penncommunitybank.com”).
• Request login credentials, banking details, or payment information.

Always double-check website URLs before entering personal information and avoid clicking on links from unsolicited emails or texts. When in doubt, type the website address directly into your browser instead of clicking on a link.

4. Text Message Spoofing (Smishing)

Smishing (SMS phishing) is a form of spoofing where scammers send fraudulent text messages that appear to come from a trusted source. These texts often:

• Claim suspicious activity on your account.
• Contain fake links that direct you to fraudulent websites.
• Ask for personal information, verification codes, or passwords.

Never click on unexpected links in text messages. Instead, contact the company directly through their official website or phone number.

Security Steps for Protecting Yourself from Spoof Calls & Imposter Scams

The first step to protecting your account is knowing that imposter scams like this exist. The second step is monitoring your accounts regularly so you can detect fraud early and limit the damage.

1. Be skeptical of unexpected calls, texts, or emails from your bank or financial institutions. Legitimate banks will never ask for sensitive information like passwords or PINs over the phone or through an email.
2. Enable banking alerts and fraud protection features. Many banks offer real-time transaction alerts for any suspicious activity.
3. Use strong security features. Multifactor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for scammers to access your accounts.
4. Stay informed about common scams. Spoofing, phishing, and imposter scams evolve constantly—stay updated.
5. Handle sensitive matters in person when possible. Visiting your local bank branch eliminates digital scam risks.

Your Security Partner

At Penn Community Bank, we take security seriously and are committed to protecting your accounts with multiple layers of fraud prevention, including:

• Automated transaction limits to help detect unusual activity.
• Real-time banking alerts to notify you of potential fraud.
• Rigorous telephone authentication procedures to verify customer identities.
• Multifactor authentication (MFA) for enhanced account security.

Even with these safeguards, fraud prevention is a shared responsibility. Research shows that  80% of account compromises stem from fake emails, text messages, or pop-up ads, combined with elaborate social engineering tactics and human error.

If you ever receive a suspicious call, email, or text claiming to be from Penn Community Bank, don’t respond—hang up and contact us directly using our Customer Care Center at 215-788-1234.

Staying informed is the best defense against spoofing scams. Visit our Security Center to learn more about protecting your accounts and recognizing the latest scams.