Email Spoofing vs Phishing: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters

“People don’t believe what’s true—they believe what looks true.”
— Paul Ekman, Psychologist and Expert on Deception

In 2023 alone, U.S. businesses lost over $2.7 billion to email-based scams, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report. That’s not a typo. Billions—with a "B." And here’s the scary part: many of those attacks started with just a single spoofed or phishing email.

Related Page: PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM COMMON SCAMS IN 2025

At a glance, “email spoofing” and “phishing” might sound like techy lingo you'd hear in an IT department or on a crime documentary. But if you use email—at work or at home—this stuff directly affects you.

Whether you’re running a small business, managing a nonprofit, or just trying to protect your family's digital life, understanding the difference between spoofing and phishing is no longer optional. It’s essential.

Let’s break it down. No fluff. No scare tactics. Just what you need to know to protect yourself—and your inbox.

What Is Email Spoofing?

Let’s start with the basics.

Email spoofing is when a scammer forges the "From" address in an email to make it look like it came from someone else. Think of it like digital identity theft—except instead of stealing your entire account, they’re borrowing your name to trick someone else.

Spoofing doesn’t always come with an attachment or a request. Sometimes it's just about creating trust—setting the bait so that you’ll take the next step, like opening a file, clicking a link, or replying with sensitive information.

Real-World Example:

You get an email that appears to come from your company’s CEO. The message is short:

“Need you to process this payment ASAP. Vendor is on the line. Sending account info next.”

Looks real. Feels urgent.

Only, your CEO never sent it. A scammer just spoofed their name and email address.

What Is Phishing?

Now, phishing takes things furtther.

Phishing is an actual scam attempt—typically using a spoofed email—designed to get you to take a specific action, like giving up your login, downloading malware, or wiring money.

It’s not just about looking real—it’s about convincing you to do something.

There are different types of phishing:

• Credential Phishing: “Click here to update your password.”
• Business Email Compromise (BEC): “Can you wire $5,200 to this new vendor?”
• Spear Phishing: Tailored attacks aimed at one person or department.
• Clone Phishing: Re-sending a legitimate message with a malicious link swapped in.
  
  

Real-World Example:

You receive a message from “Microsoft Support.”

It says your account has been compromised and asks you to log in to reset your password.
The link? It goes to a lookalike site designed to steal your login. That’s phishing.

Spoofing vs. Phishing:
What’s the Key Difference?

So in short: Spoofing is about looking real. Phishing is about acting on that illusion.

Think of spoofing as a disguise. Phishing is a trap.

Why This Matters to You
(and Your Business)

Whether you're leading a team, running a household, or managing finances, these scams don’t just affect “big corporations.” They affect:

• Local businesses (like HVAC companies or dental offices)
• Community nonprofits
• Senior citizens
• Busy parents
• Bank customers just like ours

Scammers don’t discriminate. They just want access—and email is still their favorite way in.

At a Community Bank, Here’s What We See:

• Customers reporting emails that look like they’re from us—but aren’t.
• Businesses dealing with fake wire requests.
• Grandparents nearly sending money to scammers impersonating grandchildren.

These scams are real. And they’re getting better at looking real.

How to Spot a Spoofed Email

Spoofing can be subtle, but here are a few telltale signs:

1. Mismatch Between “From” and “Reply-To”

Hover over the sender’s name.
If it says “John Smith john@yourbank.com” but replies go to “johnsmith@maliciousdomain.com,” that’s a red flag.

2. Unusual Urgency

Scammers rely on panic.
If an email demands instant action—without context or warning—pause before you act.

3. Generic Greetings or Awkward Language

Spoofed emails might say “Dear User” or “Hello Customer” instead of your actual name.

4. Spoofed Domains

Sometimes scammers use domains that look almost right:

• realbank.com → realbänk.com
• yourcompany.com → yourcompany-support.com

Tiny changes. Big implications.

How to Detect a Phishing Attempt

Everything from above applies here too—but phishing adds another layer: intent.

Watch for these:

1. Suspicious Links

Hover over links before clicking.
If a button says “Login to PayPal” but the URL says “paypalsecurity-check.com”—that’s phishing.

2. Unexpected Attachments

PDFs, ZIP files, Word docs—if you didn’t ask for it, don’t open it.

3. Requests for Sensitive Info

Your bank, your IT team, your payroll department—they won’t ask you to confirm passwords, SSNs, or routing numbers via email. Ever.

4. Emotional Manipulation

Fear. Urgency. Curiosity. Greed.
Scammers know how to push your buttons to lower your defenses.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself and Your Business

Let’s not just talk about the problem—let’s talk about what you can do.

For Individuals:

• Use two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.
• Hover before you click. Always inspect links and sender info.
• Double-check requests for money or personal data—even if it seems to come from someone you know.
• Report suspicious emails to your IT provider or email service (e.g., Gmail, Outlook).
  
  

For Business Owners:

• Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC on your domain. These tools tell email providers which servers are allowed to send emails on your behalf.
• Train your team. Host a 30-minute lunch-and-learn on email security. (We’ll happily provide materials—just ask!)
• Set internal policies. Make sure no one can wire money or change vendor details without phone or in-person verification.
• Use business-grade email platforms that offer security layers and phishing detection.

What to Do If You Suspect a Spoofing or Phishing Attack

1. Stop. Don’t click anything. Don’t reply.
   
   
2. Take a screenshot.
   
   
3. Forward the email to your IT team or report it to your provider.
   
   
4. Contact the real sender through a separate, trusted method.
   
   
5. If you clicked a link or entered data, change your passwords immediately.
   
   
6. Contact your bank if financial info may have been exposed. (We’re here for you!)
   
   

Awareness Is Your Best Defense

Scammers thrive in confusion. They bank on our assumptions—our instinct to trust a name we recognize or a domain we think we know.

But with a little awareness, you can flip the script. You can go from potential victim to prepared protector.

At Liberty Savings Bank, we’re committed to keeping our customers informed—not just about great financial products, but about how to stay safe in a digital world that’s always evolving.

So the next time you open your inbox and something feels a little…off?

Trust your instincts. Take a beat. Ask questions.

Because when it comes to email spoofing and phishing—what you don’t know can hurt you. But what you learn today can stop a scam tomorrow.