Phone Number Spoofing Scams

Phone number spoofing is a technique used by scammers to manipulate the caller ID information that appears on your phone. The goal is to make it seem like the call is coming from a trusted source, such as a government agency, your bank, or even a family member or friend. Scammers use this trick to gain the victim's trust, making them more likely to share personal information or make payments. Spoofed calls are often used in conjunction with other scams, such as government impersonation, tech support fraud, or bank fraud, making them difficult to detect.

You receive a phone call that appears to be from a trusted source, like your bank, the IRS, or even a local law enforcement agency. The caller ID shows the legitimate phone number of the institution or individual they are impersonating. Once you answer, the scammer claims that your bank account has been compromised, your Social Security number has been suspended, or that you owe back taxes. They pressure you to provide personal information, such as account numbers, passwords, or even your Social Security number. Alternatively, the scammer might ask you to make an immediate payment to avoid further legal consequences or to "secure" your account.

In more advanced schemes, scammers may spoof the number of a friend or family member, claiming they’re in trouble and need money urgently. The victim, recognizing the number as someone they know, is more likely to trust the call and act on the scammer’s requests without verification.

• Caller ID Matches a Trusted Source: Just because the caller ID displays the number of a known institution or individual doesn’t mean the call is legitimate. Scammers can manipulate caller ID information to make it look like they’re calling from a trusted source, such as a bank, government agency, or a relative.
• Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate organizations will never ask you to provide sensitive information like your Social Security number, account details, or passwords over the phone. If you receive such a request, hang up immediately and contact the organization directly using an official number.
• Pressure to Act Immediately: Scammers often create a sense of urgency, claiming that your account has been compromised, your personal information is at risk, or you owe money to a government agency. They use fear to rush you into making a decision before verifying the legitimacy of the call.
• Untraceable Payment Requests: Be wary if the caller asks you to make a payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. These methods are often untraceable and favored by scammers. Legitimate companies will not demand these forms of payment.
• Avoidance of Verification: If the caller refuses to allow you time to verify their identity or the authenticity of the call by hanging up and calling back using a known, official number, this is a red flag. Scammers often discourage you from checking with the real organization to prevent you from discovering the scam.

Additional Warning:
To protect yourself from phone spoofing scams, never trust the information that appears on your caller ID. If you receive an unsolicited call from someone claiming to represent a bank, government agency, or business, hang up and call the official number to verify the request. Do not share personal information or make payments over the phone unless you are certain of the caller’s identity. Consider using call-blocking or call-screening apps that can help filter out potential scam calls.