What is Caller ID Spoofing and Why it is Being Used by Scammers?

If someone spoofed a telephone number, it doesn't mean that he/she has been hacked and hackers have gained access to his/her phone or account. Or, it doesn't mean that the account of the owner of the telephone number that was spoofed account has been compromised.

Here is a scenario where a scammer can rip-off his/her victim using Caller ID spoofing scam.

Your phone rings and to your surprise, you notice on the caller ID that your bank is calling you. You must be wondering to yourself what has happened. Scammers do this in the hope of you answering their calls. Upon answering you will hear a message from a computerized voice asking you to verify your credit card number for an opportunity to lower your credit card interest rates.

This type of scam is used to steal credit card information or online banking account credentials. Scammers also spoof telephone numbers from Microsoft and other large organizations and pretend to be technical support representatives.

What to do if you have received a spoofed call:

• Once you have recognized this scam, end the call. Do not carry out any instructions given to you by the caller.
• With the rise in technology do not trust every caller id that you see. Scammers can use these to display any number they wish. If you have any doubt about the person with whom you are speaking with please call the company that was impersonated at a known published number to verify if they had called you.
• Never provide your credit card, banking information or social security number over the phone to anyone who calls you. Safeguard your information.

Note: Some of the names, addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers or other information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.