Fraud 101: What is Spoofing?

Have you ever received a call from “your bank” asking for your account number? Or a text from a delivery service you didn’t use? If something feels off, it probably is. Welcome to the world of spoofing—where scammers pretend to be someone else and the prize is your personal info. Keep reading to learn about spoofing, some common tactics, and how to protect yourself.

Spoofing Definition

Spoofing is a type of fraud where scammers disguise their identity to trick you into trusting them. They often impersonate legitimate financial institutions or individuals to influence your decisions.

Spoofing attacks are also known as phishing, imposter scams, or ID fraud. The goal? To steal sensitive information like your bank account details, passwords, or Social Security number—and they want to manipulate you into compromising your own cybersecurity.

Spoofing is dangerous because it works. It plays on trust, urgency, and familiarity. Spoofing scams often look legitimate, making them especially risky if you don’t know the signs.

Common Spoofing Tactics

Scammers are creative, and spoofing can appear in many different ways. Here are the most common tricks in the book:

1. Phone Call Spoofing

“Hi, this is your bank. We need to verify your account.” Sound familiar? Spoofing calls can look like they come from a trusted number—like your bank, a government agency, or even a family member—even when they are really from scammers. If the caller pressures you to act quickly or requests personal information, it’s a red flag! Hang up and call back using a verified number.

2. SMS (Text Messages) Spoofing

Text spoofing is a common tactic in fraud, often through messages with urgent requests and suspicious links. These texts appear to come from a delivery service, city agency, or your bank. They usually follow a familiar pattern, such as: “Your package is delayed—click here!” or “Unusual activity on your account!”

No matter what, DON’T CLICK and DON’T REPLY. Just screenshot and delete! Clicking these links can lead to malware or phishing sites designed to steal your information.

3. Email Spoofing

Email scams can look very real—logos, signatures, polished layouts, the whole nine yards. They often include sketchy links or ask for sensitive info, such as resetting your password or verifying your account. When in doubt, it’s smart to double-check the sender’s address and hover over links before clicking.

4. Website Spoofing

Some scammers build entire websites that look nearly identical to real ones. These sites are meant to capture your login credentials or payment information. If you make one wrong click, you could hand over your info to a fraudster. Instead, remember to type in URLs directly or use bookmarks. NEVER click on links in unsolicited messages or emails.

5. Other Spoofing Methods

• Deepfakes: AI-generated videos that mimic real people.
• Voice Cloning: Scammers using technology to sound like someone you know.
• Social Media Impersonation: Fake profiles pretending to be friends, family, a love interest, or even your boss.

Quick Tips to Avoid Spoofing

Protect yourself with these simple actions:

• Verify Before Trusting: Contact the company or person directly using a verified phone number or website—not the one included in the scammer’s message.
• Stay Alert: Watch for urgent or suspicious requests, especially those asking for money or personal data.
• Keep Your Info Private: Never share personal details like passwords or account numbers through phone or email.
• Check the Details: Look for misspellings, sketchy links, or weird sender addresses. Be sure to hover over links to see where they really lead.
• Report Suspected Spoofing: Before you delete a spoofing email or text, screenshot it first. Then alert your bank or another relevant authority.

Fraud Prevention at Academy Bank

We don’t just protect your money—we protect you. Here’s how:

• We host community events at our local banking centers to teach clients how to spot scams.
• Our systems have safeguards and authentication methods to increase the security of our clients.
• Dedicated bank fraud protection teams.
• Threat intelligence to identify fake websites and suspicious activity before they reach you.
• Online resources and cybersecurity education to help you stay informed.

How to Report Spoofing and Fraud at Academy Bank

If something seems off, don’t wait. Reach out to Academy Bank right away:

• CONTACT METHOD 1: Log into Mobile* or Online Banking and send a secure message through chat.
• CONTACT METHOD 2: Visit academybank.com and use the chat feature in the bottom right corner. Request to speak with a banker, available Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM Central Time; AND Saturday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Central Time.
• CONTACT METHOD 3: Report fraud by calling our Client Care line at 877-712-2265, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Central Time.

Always remember, if something feels off, it probably is.