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What is Phone Spoofing? False Caller ID Information

Personal Finances 3 min read

In today’s digital world, fraudsters are constantly coming up with new ways to trick people out of their money and personal information. A common scam tactic on the rise is phone number spoofing—a technique that allows them to disguise their identity by displaying false caller ID information.

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What is Phone Spoofing?

Phone spoofing is when scammers manipulate caller ID to make it appear as though they are calling from a local number, a trusted business, or even a government agency. This deception is used to trick you into answering the call and engaging with them, often leading to financial fraud or identity theft.

How to Spot a Spoofing Scam

Scammers use various techniques to gain your trust or create panic. Here are some red flags to watch out for:

  • Unexpected calls or texts from familiar-looking numbers – Just because a number appears local doesn’t mean it is.
  • Requests for personal or financial information – No legitimate organization will call or text and ask for your Social Security number, account details, or passwords.
  • Pressure to make immediate payments – Scammers often try to create urgency, threatening legal action or service disconnection if you don’t pay immediately.
  • Automated messages asking you to press a button – This is often a tactic to confirm your number is active, leading to more scam calls.

How to Protect Yourself

The good news is there are steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim of spoofing scams:

  • Don’t answer calls or texts from unknown numbers – If the call is important, the caller will leave a message.
  • Hang up immediately – If you answer and realize it’s a scam, don’t engage. Just hang up.
  • Verify the caller’s identity – If a caller claims to be from a trusted organization, hang up and call the company directly using a verified number from their official website or a recent bill. Make sure you manually enter the correct phone number, don’t trust your caller ID incase the number was spoofed.
  • Be skeptical of unexpected requests – Whether it’s an offer that sounds too good to be true or a demand for urgent payment, always be cautious.
  • Avoid sharing personal information – Never provide sensitive details over the phone unless you are 100% sure of the caller’s legitimacy.
  • Use call-blocking tools – Many phone carriers offer services to help block suspected spam and scam calls.
  • Report suspicious calls – You can report spoofing scams to law enforcement, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at fcc.gov/spoofing, or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
  • Report suspicious texts – You can report spam text messages to your wireless provider by forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM). This helps your wireless provider spot and block similar messages in the future. Use these links for instructions on how to forward a text message: iPhone instructions or Android instructions

Stay Aware, Stay Safe

At First Bank, we prioritize your security and want to help you stay informed about potential scams. By staying aware and taking preventive measures, you can protect yourself from fraudsters and keep your personal information secure.

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