Is the Spoofed Caller ID Scam real or a scam?

This is a confirmed scam. Do not click any links, do not provide personal information, and do not send money. This is a voice phishing scam.

What should I do if I received the Spoofed Caller ID Scam?

Do not respond or click any links. Block the sender, report the message as spam, and delete it. If it came via text message, forward it to 7726 (SPAM).

What if I already fell for the Spoofed Caller ID Scam?

Change your passwords immediately, contact your bank if you shared financial information, place a fraud alert on your credit, and file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

How do I report the Spoofed Caller ID Scam?

Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, and your local law enforcement. If it impersonated a specific company, report it to that company as well.

Spoofed Caller ID Scam: Is It a Scam?

Very High Prevalence Type: Voice Phishing

Yes, this is a scam. Do not click any links or provide personal information.

Caller ID spoofing allows scammers to display any phone number on your caller ID, including your bank's, a government agency's, or even your own number. This makes scam calls appear legitimate and trustworthy.

How This Scam Works

Scammers use inexpensive VoIP services or spoofing tools to set any number as their outgoing caller ID. When they call you, your phone displays the spoofed number, making it look like a call from your bank, the IRS, Social Security Administration, or local police. Because you see a familiar or official number, you are more likely to answer and trust the caller. They then use social engineering to extract personal information, demand payments, or gain remote access to your computer. Some scammers even spoof your own phone number to make it seem like an internal call.

Red Flags to Watch For

Caller claims to be from a government agency demanding immediate payment
Call appears to come from your bank but the caller asks for your account details
Your own phone number appears on the caller ID
Caller pressures you not to hang up or verify independently
Caller asks for sensitive information that the real organization would already have

Example Scam Messages

Call from (appears to be your bank's number): 'This is the fraud department at [Bank]. We've detected suspicious activity on your account. I need to verify your identity. Can you please confirm your account number and the last four of your Social?' --- Call from (appears to be IRS number): 'This is Agent Thompson with the Internal Revenue Service. You have an outstanding tax balance of $4,800 and a warrant has been issued. To resolve this today, you need to make immediate payment.' --- Call from your own number: 'This is your phone provider. We've detected a security issue with your line. I need your account PIN to fix it.'

What to Do If You Received This

Never trust caller ID alone to verify who is calling
Hang up and call the organization back using a number from their official website
Government agencies do not demand immediate payment over the phone
Never share account numbers, PINs, or SSN with incoming callers
Use call screening features offered by your phone or carrier

What to Do If You Fell For It

Contact the real organization immediately using their official number
Change any passwords or PINs you shared
Contact your bank if financial information was disclosed
Place a fraud alert on your credit reports
File a police report if money was lost

How to Report This Scam

Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Report to the FCC at fcc.gov/spoofing
File a complaint with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
Report to your phone carrier

Last updated: February 10, 2026