Phishing vs Blagging: What’s the Difference & How to Protect Your Business

24 January 2025

You've almost certainly heard of phishing, but what about blagging? Both are forms of social engineering used by cybercriminals and fraudsters to extract sensitive information, but they work in very different ways. Understanding the distinction matters, because the defences that protect against phishing don't always catch a skilled blaggar, and vice versa.

This guide explains what each attack involves, how to recognise them, and what steps UK businesses can take to reduce their exposure to them.

What is Phishing?

Phishing is a cyber attack technique in which criminals send deceptive messages, usually by email, but also by text (known as 'smishing') or voice call ('vishing'), that appear to come from a trusted source. The goal is to trick the recipient into clicking a malicious link, downloading a harmful attachment, or handing over sensitive information such as passwords, bank details, or login credentials.

Phishing attacks are typically broad in scale. Attackers send thousands or even millions of messages at once, relying on the sheer volume to catch enough people off guard. More targeted variants, known as spear phishing, are tailored to specific individuals or organisations, using publicly available information to make the message appear highly credible.

Common phishing red flags include:

• A sender address that looks almost but not quite, right (e.g., no-reply@micros0ft.com)
• A sense of urgency: 'Your account will be suspended unless you act now.'
• Links that don't match the supposed sender's domain when you hover over them
• Requests for sensitive information that a legitimate organisation would never ask for by email
• Poor spelling or grammar, though this is becoming less reliable as attackers use AI tools to polish their messages

For a more detailed breakdown of phishing red flags, see our guide on how to spot a phishing email.

What is Blagging?

Blagging, sometimes called pretexting, is a social engineering technique in which an attacker fabricates a believable scenario (a 'pretext') and uses it to manipulate someone into disclosing information or granting access they would not otherwise provide.

Unlike phishing, which typically relies on automated messages sent at scale, blagging usually involves direct, personalised interaction, a phone call, an in-person approach, or a carefully crafted one-to-one email. The attacker poses as someone with a legitimate reason to be asking: an IT support technician, a bank fraud investigator, a supplier, a regulator, or even a colleague.

Blagging is effective because it exploits human instincts, trust, helpfulness, a desire to avoid conflict, and a tendency to defer to apparent authority, rather than technical vulnerabilities. A skilled blagger doesn't need to hack your systems; they just need to convince one person to hand over the information willingly.

Phishing vs Blagging: Key Differences at a Glance

Phishing and Blagging as Social Engineering Attacks

Both phishing and blagging fall under the broader umbrella of social engineering, the use of psychological manipulation rather than technical means to gain unauthorised access to information or systems. Other social engineering techniques include tailgating (following someone through a secure door), baiting (leaving infected USB drives where someone will find them), and quid pro quo attacks (offering something in exchange for information).

What makes social engineering attacks particularly dangerous is that they target people rather than systems. Even organisations with strong technical defences, well-configured firewalls, endpoint protection, and secure email filtering can be compromised by a single employee who is successfully manipulated into sharing their credentials or opening a malicious file.

This is why technical controls, while necessary, are not sufficient on their own. Staff awareness is an essential component of any effective cybersecurity strategy.

How to Protect Your Business Against Phishing and Blagging

Protecting against social engineering attacks requires a combination of technical controls and human awareness. Here are the key measures businesses should have in place:

Technical Controls

• Configure email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to reduce the risk of spoofed emails reaching your staff
• Use email filtering and anti-phishing tools to catch malicious messages before they reach inboxes
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all accounts , even if credentials are compromised through phishing, MFA prevents attackers from using them
• Restrict access to sensitive data and systems on a need-to-know basis, so that even a successfully blagged employee can only disclose what they have access to
• Monitor for unusual access patterns that might indicate credentials have been compromised

Processes and Policies

• Establish a clear process for verifying the identity of anyone requesting access to systems or sensitive information, especially over the phone or by email
• Implement a 'call-back' procedure for requests to change payment or bank details: always call the requester back on a number you independently verify, not the one they provide
• Create a clear escalation path so staff feel empowered to pause and verify, rather than complying with urgent requests under pressure
• Ensure that changes to supplier payment details require authorisation from more than one person

Staff Awareness

• Train staff to recognise the signs of phishing emails, including urgent language, suspicious sender addresses, and unexpected requests
• Educate all, not just IT teams, about blagging and pretexting, including the scenarios attackers commonly use
• Create a culture where it is normal and encouraged to pause and verify, rather than a cause for embarrassment
• Run periodic simulated phishing exercises to test awareness and identify staff who may need additional support

Concerned About Social Engineering Threats to Your Business?

Phishing and blagging are among the most common causes of business data breaches in the UK , and both rely on human behaviour rather than technical vulnerabilities. If you'd like to understand your organisation's exposure and what practical steps you can take to reduce it, our team at Renaissance can help. We provide Managed Cyber Security Services for UK businesses, including guidance on email security, access controls, and building resilience against social engineering attacks. Get in touch to start the conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between phishing and blagging?

Phishing involves sending deceptive messages (typically by email, text, or phone call) at scale, with the goal of tricking people into revealing credentials or clicking malicious links. Blagging involves a more targeted, personal approach in which the attacker fabricates a false identity or scenario to manipulate someone into disclosing information through direct interaction. Both are forms of social engineering, but blagging relies more heavily on conversation and impersonation.

Is blagging illegal in the UK?

Yes. Obtaining personal data or confidential information through deception is a criminal offence in the UK under the Fraud Act 2006 and Section 170 of the Data Protection Act 2018. Where blagging leads to unauthorised access to computer systems, the Computer Misuse Act 1990 also applies.

What are some examples of blagging attacks?

Common blagging examples include: an attacker impersonating IT support to obtain a staff member's password or install remote access software; a fraudster posing as a supplier to redirect payments to a fraudulent bank account; someone claiming to be a new employee who is locked out of their account; and a caller pretending to be from a regulatory body to demand access to sensitive records.

How can businesses protect against blagging?

The most effective defences against blagging combine staff awareness training with clear verification procedures, particularly for requests involving sensitive information, system access, or changes to payment details. Technical controls such as multi-factor authentication and restricted data access also limit the damage a successful blagging attack can cause. For more on the broader social engineering landscape, see our guide on social engineering in cyber security.