A Scam Call from Your Own Number- What to Do
Jackie here. The phone rings and you look at your caller ID. The number looks surprisingly familiar. In fact, it’s yours. Robocallers are confusing consumers around the country by changing the caller ID display to the consumer’s own number. Don’t let this scam trick you into sharing personal information.
A New Twist on Caller ID Spoofing
Although changing the number to look like your own is a relatively new phenomenon, it is actually a variation on an old tactic that illegal marketers and scammers use called spoofing. This technique creates a false phone number on an incoming call in an attempt to trick consumers into sharing more than they should. Callers may masquerade as a representative from a well-known company or pose as a government agent, all in an attempt to gain trust and get you to divulge your personal or financial information.
How to Protect Yourself
Don’t trust your caller ID display. While it is a great tool for screening unwanted calls from your Great Aunt Sally, things aren’t always as they seem. Don’t trust that a caller is who they say they are, even if the caller ID confirms it. Never share personal information with unsolicited callers–this can lead to ID theft.
Don’t be Afraid to Hang Up
One of the best ways to combat these calls is to just hang up. If you are worried that you are being contacted by a legitimate company for an important reason, call back using a known number found on their corporate webiste. Don’t push buttons or ask to speak to an operator as this may just increase the number of calls you receive.
If you receive a call that looks like it is coming from you, don’t pick up. Odds are it’s just a scammer at the other end of the line.