The disclosed subject matter addresses the problem of spoofing by directly and transparently communicating with the apparent sender of the potentially spoofed incoming message or with the communications network handing the communication of the potentially spoofed incoming message. The address of the recipient device of the potentially spoofed incoming message is compared with addresses of communication sent from the apparent sender. As a result of this comparison, it may be determined whether the phone call or message was sent from the apparent source or was spoofed. The times associated with messages sent from the indicated sender and times associated with the incoming message may also be used to determine the authenticity of the apparent sender. The recipient is of the incoming message is notified of a spoofed message.