To get a hold of someone’s personal information in New York, a scammer might pretend to be a friend, a neighbor or a legitimate business. If the target falls for the scam, they might give the scammer their personal information. The scammer then uses this information to commit identity theft, convince the person to send money or commit another white-collar crime. This practice is known as “spoofing.”
What are some examples of spoofing?
One popular form of spoofing involves sending someone a text message that looks like it came from their bank, employer or another official institution. The text message might include a link that asks the individual to enter their personal information. When they do, the scammer uses this information to log into their target’s email inbox, bank account and anything else that might have value to them. This simple scam is one of the most common financial crimes.
Other forms of spoofing involve using a fake phone number or caller ID to trick the target into thinking that they’re talking to their neighbor, their employer or an official government agency. The scammer asks for personal information over the phone or instructs them to send money to their address. In some cases, the scammer might even threaten them with a foreclosure or legal action to get the individual to act right away.
Spoofing is a serious white-collar crime, but it’s not impossible for someone to get another person’s financial information accidentally. You might want to talk to a criminal defense attorney if a prosecutor accuses you of spoofing.
Could someone accuse you of spoofing?
A prosecutor might accuse you of spoofing if they have reason to believe that you pretended to be another person or organization to get someone’s personal information. An attorney may help you defend yourself against these and other criminal charges.