Beware of Name Spoofing on Your Phone’s Caller ID

Caller ID spoofing is a growing problem, and it’s important to be aware of it so you can protect yourself from scams. Spoofing is when someone intentionally falsifies the caller ID information that appears on your phone. This means that the number you see on your caller ID screen may not be the actual number of the person who is calling you.

Scammers often use spoofing to trick people into answering their calls. They may spoof a number that looks like it’s from a government agency, a bank, or a well-known company. Once you answer the call, they may try to convince you to give them your personal information or to make a payment.

There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from caller ID spoofing:

• Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. If you don’t recognize the number, don’t answer the call. If it’s important, the caller will leave a message.
• Be suspicious of calls that seem urgent. If someone calls you and tells you that you need to take action right away, be suspicious. Scammers often use this tactic to pressure people into giving them their personal information or making a payment.
• Check the caller ID information carefully. If the number looks like it’s from a government agency or a well-known company, take a few minutes to verify the number. You can do this by looking up the number on the company’s website or by calling the company directly.
• Don’t give out your personal information over the phone. If someone calls you and asks for your personal information, don’t give it to them. Hang up the call and call the company directly to verify the request.

If you think you’ve been the victim of caller ID spoofing, you can report it to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). You can also file a complaint with the company whose number was spoofed.

By being aware of caller ID spoofing and taking steps to protect yourself, you can help to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of a scam.

Here are some additional tips to help you avoid caller ID spoofing:

• Use a call blocking service. There are a number of call blocking services available that can help to filter out unwanted calls, including those that are spoofed.
• Be careful about what information you share on social media. Scammers can use information that you share on social media to spoof your caller ID.
• Keep your software up to date. Software updates often include security patches that can help to protect your phone from spoofing attacks.

By following these tips, you can help to keep your phone safe from caller ID spoofing.

See Scam and Fraud Protection for 2023 for more information and make sure to Sign Up for our Scam Prevention Newsletter.