Spoofing schemes and fraudulent activities

Have you been targeted by a spoofing scam? Reach out now and begin the process of reclaiming what belongs to you.

What does the term spoofing scam mean?

False profile

Spoofing is an online scam where a fraudster hides behind a fake email address, website, display name, phone number, or text message to trick victims into believing they are communicating with a trusted and familiar source.

Suspicious information

Spoofed communications often appear genuine, with only a single letter, number, or symbol altered to make them look authentic at first glance. However, these messages are crafted as part of a spoofing scam aimed at accessing sensitive information, stealing the victim’s data, or being used in a larger fraudulent scheme.

Psychological manipulation

A key feature of spoofing scams is social engineering, where scammers exploit victims' weaknesses—like fear, ignorance, or greed—to manipulate them into complying with their demands. By preying on these emotions, fraudsters increase the likelihood that victims will follow instructions without questioning the legitimacy of the request.

Various forms of spoofing scams

Email spoofing scams

Email spoofing scams involve sending emails that appear to come from legitimate businesses but actually use fake sender addresses. Often, these messages look like genuine communications, with scammers manipulating the “From:” line to make victims believe the email is from a trusted source. Be cautious—any email requesting sensitive information is likely part of a spoofing scam and should be treated with suspicion.

Text message and caller ID fraud

In caller ID spoofing scams, fraudsters fake a legitimate phone number to trick you into answering the call. The number might show up on your caller ID with a familiar name, increasing the chances you’ll trust it and pick up. The caller may ask you to click a link to reschedule a delivery or alert you about suspicious activity on your account. Victims can then be directed to fake websites or payment portals designed to steal personal information or money.

Fake website scams

Website, or URL, spoofing scams happen when fraudsters build fake websites designed to steal information or money from victims, or to install harmful malware on their devices. These scams often lead users to websites that closely mimic their bank or utility provider’s site, prompting them to enter their username and password. Once the victim logs in, scammers capture these credentials and can use them to access other accounts across various platforms.

FAQs

Are spoofing scams against the law?

In the Canada, spoofing scams themselves are not explicitly illegal, but individuals involved in certain types of spoofing can face hefty fines. Unlike in the US, where spoofing is outright illegal, Canada laws are still evolving in how they address persistent and nuisance scammers. However, there have been instances where scammers using call spoofing have been fined significantly, depending on the severity of their actions.

Because spoofing scams are not classified as illegal in the Canada, many victims believe they have no recourse—but this isn’t true. If you’ve fallen victim to a spoofing scam, we encourage you to contact us for a free consultation to explore how we can assist with your recovery.
Are spoofing scams a new type of fraud?

Spoofing scams are not a new phenomenon—they have been around for a long time and remain a common type of online fraud. In fact, the term “spoof” dates back over a hundred years and means trickery or deception, which perfectly describes what these scams involve. Caller ID spoofing has been used for years by telemarketers, but today, spoofing scams are becoming increasingly complex and sophisticated, with various new types gaining popularity among scammers.
Ways to spot spoofing scams

Spoofing scams can be very sophisticated, so it’s crucial to stay vigilant and trust your instincts to avoid becoming a victim. Watch out for websites that lack an SSL certificate—these URLs won’t have the padlock icon and often start with HTTP instead of HTTPS.

When dealing with email spoofing scams, if you’re uncertain about an email’s authenticity, carefully check the sender’s address. Scammers often use email domains and addresses that closely resemble legitimate ones. If in doubt, you can copy the email address and search online to see if others have reported it as suspicious.
What distinguishes spoofing from phishing?

The terms spoofing and phishing are often confused, but they have distinct meanings. Spoofing involves disguising oneself by using fake email addresses, display names, websites, or phone numbers to deceive victims into believing they’re interacting with a trusted and legitimate source.

Phishing, on the other hand, aims to trick victims into revealing personal information or data that can be used for identity theft. Many phishing attacks rely on spoofing techniques to convince victims that they are sharing sensitive information with a reliable party.

Start your claim