Lost money to a scam that impersonated someone you trust?

Spoofing Scam FAQs

• What is the difference between spoofing and phishing?

  Phishing is a broad term for a scam that tricks victims into revealing sensitive information by impersonating a trusted entity. Spoofing scams, however, are a specific technique used to disguise the origin of a message, so that it appears to be from a trusted source. For example, the email address might be changed by one letter to make you believe the email you receive is from a close family member.

• Are spoofing scams illegal?

  Spoofing scams are illegal when used to commit fraud or deceive victims. While UK law doesn’t have a standalone offence called “spoofing,” these scams are often prosecuted under broader laws around fraud, telecommunications offences, and cybercrime.

  Although enforcement can be challenging, that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. If you believe you’ve been targeted by a spoofing scam, get in touch for a free consultation with one of our supportive solicitors. We may be able to help you recover lost funds and build a case against those responsible. 

• What should I do if my phone is attacked by a spoofing scam?

  If scammers are using your number to make fraudulent calls or texts, you can take the following steps to protect yourself: 

  • Tell your mobile carrier: Contact your provider and explain the situation as soon as possible.  

  • Increase your call security settings: Use your phone’s built-in options to block withheld or unknown numbers, silence unknown callers, or enable spam protection features. 

  • Set or change your voicemail password: Spoofers may try to access your voicemail. Make sure it’s protected with a strong PIN, not the default setting. 

  • Create a new voice message: Update your voicemail greeting to let real callers know your number is being spoofed and to ignore suspicious messages from it. 

  • Give it time: Most spoofing attacks are short-lived. Scammers usually move on after a few days or weeks if they don’t get responses, so there’s a good chance the spoofing won’t last.  

  • Check your phone bill: Spoofing doesn’t usually involve unauthorised use of your account, but it’s worth reviewing your bill for unexpected charges or calls. 

  • File a complaint: Filing a complaint helps bring awareness to the issue for future victims and can also offer important documentation in case you need to recover funds from the scam.  

  • Get a new phone number: If spoofing continues to cause disruption, ask your provider about changing your number. It’s a last resort, but it can resolve the issue for you. 

  • Read our iSpoof article: Our guide on the iSpoof fraud case offers more details on how scams like this work. It also explains how WRS can help you reclaim the money you’ve lost with our proven recovery process.  

• Is spoofing the same as being hacked?

  No, spoofing isn’t the same as being hacked. Spoofing is when someone pretends to be someone or something else in a communication, such as an email, phone call, or website. The goal is usually to trick you into revealing information that benefits the scammer.  

  While spoofing aims to deceive you into handing over information, hacking is more direct. It involves a fraudster gaining authorised access to your system, device, or account, typically to steal data or install malware.