What is Caller ID Spoofing?

Call ID spoofing is altering the phone number shown to the call recipient. Instead of displaying the real number, it shows a different one, hiding the caller’s identity. It makes the incoming call appear as if it’s coming from someone else, possibly someone the receiver knows or trusts. The main goal is to deceive the recipient about the call’s origin.

Spoof calling works by manipulating the caller ID information transmitted during a phone call, making it appear as if the call is coming from a different number. This is done using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology or specialized spoofing applications that allow the caller to mask their phone number.

When someone makes a phone call, the caller’s phone number is sent along with the call through the telephone network. This number appears on the recipient's device as the Caller ID name.

In spoofing, the caller manipulates this information using various tools before it reaches the recipient. So, instead of showing the real number, your mobile will display a fake or altered number.
 

Different Tools Used for Spoofing

• VoIP Spoofing: VoIP service is a great alternative to traditional phone service. Still, due to its easy setup and low costs, scammers use it to pretend to be someone else by customizing their caller ID display name during account setup.
• Spoofing Services: Online spoofing services and mobile apps allow users to enter a fake caller ID and a recipient’s number. These services place the call on the user's behalf and display the chosen number on the receiver’s phone.
• Orange Boxing: Orange boxing is an older technique used to manipulate the caller ID on analog phone systems. By sending crafted signals through the line, a spoofed number appears on the receiver’s display.

Over the years, law enforcement officials and collection agencies have utilized caller ID spoofing to mask their actual numbers. These entities used it to increase the likelihood of their calls being answered. It laid the groundwork for what was to come. In 2004, a historic moment occurred with the launch of Star38.com, the first service specifically designed to offer caller ID spoofing for the general public. Soon after, similar services skyrocketed, dramatically increasing the ease of executing spoof calls.
 

Accessibility to spoof calling led to a spike in scams, particularly noted in online marketplaces like eBay and Craigslist. Fraudsters often pose as buyers from reputable locations to gain sellers’ trust and personal information and then use it for fake sale schemes.
 

One of the most significant impacts of caller ID spoofing was seen in the 2015 IRS scam when scammers spoofed the IRS’s phone number to call thousands of Americans. They claimed they owed back taxes and demanded immediate payment. The 2015 IRS scam highlighted the growing issue of caller ID spoofing and its potential for significant harm.
 

With technology advancements, Caller ID Authentication and spam detection apps have emerged to combat scam calls, yet caller ID spoofing remains a challenging issue.

Legally, your business can employ caller ID spoofing for good reasons, like ensuring that a returned call goes to a business's customer service line rather than a specific employee's phone or to protect an individual’s privacy in sensitive situations. Despite these legitimate applications, the rise in fraudulent activities has prompted regulatory bodies to enforce stricter guidelines and penalties for misuse. Intent plays a crucial role here. If the call spoofers intend to deceive, harm, or unlawfully gain from the recipient, it falls under illegal acts and is punishable by law.
 

Any person who knowingly violates the law can be fined up to $10,000 for each violation or 3 times that amount for each day of a continuing violation.

Caller ID spoofing is misused for identity theft, harassment, spreading misinformation, and emergency scams. This deception tricks recipients into sharing sensitive information, acting on false claims, or responding to fake emergencies, resulting in financial or emotional harm.

Fraudsters can spoof calls to steal sensitive personal data and information. For instance, they can pose as representatives from banks or trusted institutions to trick you into revealing sensitive information like social security numbers or bank details. It can lead to financial loss and compromised personal security.

Spoof calls may include relentless calls that harass or intimidate the receiver. By hiding behind familiar or authoritative numbers, the spoofers make unwanted advances and threats or simply disturb your peace.

Spoof calls allow the spread of false information by impersonating credible sources. During events like elections or crises, calls that appear to come from legitimate organizations can mislead recipients about critical issues, influencing opinions and behaviors based on deceit.

Emergency scams exploit your concern for loved ones by faking emergencies. Call spoofer claims to be your family members or authorities reporting an accident or legal trouble, urgently requesting money for help. The spoofed ID lends credibility to these lies, influencing you to act without verification.

Spoof calling can be recognized by unexpected demands for sensitive information, urgent pressure to make quick decisions, and discrepancies in the caller’s story that don’t match. Additionally, using call-identification apps can help detect and block suspicious calls.

• Unexpected Requests for Personal Information: If a caller, claiming to be from a trusted organization, unexpectedly asks for personal details or financial information, it could be a scam call.
• Pressure Tactics: Scammers often create a sense of urgency, pressuring you to act immediately. Legitimate organizations understand the need for due diligence.
• Mismatched Information: If the caller’s story doesn't add up or you receive conflicting information, it’s a red flag. For instance, a bank calling from an unrecognized number asking for your account details.
• Inconsistencies: Scammers might not have all the correct information. Asking detailed questions about the account or service they claim to represent can reveal fraud.
• Use Call-Identification Apps: Different free spoof call detector apps and call screening apps are available; use them to screen potential spam calls.

Answering a spoofed call can lead to scams or more unwanted calls, signaling to fraudsters that your number is active.
 

When you pick up a spoof call from a scammer, they may attempt to deceive you by pretending to be from a trusted organization to steal your personal information or money. They might ask for sensitive details, claim an urgent problem requires immediate action, or even threaten legal action to pressure you into complying. Even if you don't give out any information, just picking up the call can be enough for some scammers to attempt to charge high fees to your phone bill through premium rates or other means.

Never provide sensitive details like your social security number, bank account information, passwords, or other personal data unless you're absolutely sure of the caller's identity and legitimacy.

Note the caller’s number and any relevant information about the conversation, then report it to the FCC and your service provider.

Increase awareness of common fraudulent schemes and use call-blocking tools to minimize risks. Share your experience with others to spread awareness.

If you’ve inadvertently shared personal information, monitor your accounts for unusual activity and consider measures like freezing your credit to prevent unauthorized use.

To avoid spoofed calls, don’t answer unknown numbers, hang up immediately if you do, never share personal information, and use call-blocking or spam-filtering tools. Additionally, ensure your phone and carrier support STIR/SHAKEN technology to verify incoming calls.

The simplest way to protect yourself from scam calls is to avoid answering calls from numbers you don’t recognize. If the call is legitimate, the caller will usually leave a voicemail or send text messages. Moreover, you can then verify their identity by comparing the number from an official website or document, rather than simply calling back the number shown on your caller ID.

If you answer a spoof call from any number, hang up immediately without engaging. Never share personal or sensitive information such as your Social Security Number, bank details, or passwords. Moreover, if you accidentally share sensitive information, monitor your accounts and take protective steps, such as freezing your account if needed.
 

One effective way to reduce spoofing calls is by using the call-blocking feature provided by your phone carrier or third-party apps. Additionally, many mobile providers now offer built-in spam detection and robocall blocking services that can automatically identify and filter suspicious numbers.

You can also install call-blocking apps like Truecaller, Hiya, or RoboKiller, which use large databases and real-time analytics to detect spoofed or scam calls. These tools help you avoid interacting with fraudulent callers before you even pick up the phone.

STIR/SHAKEN is a caller ID verification technology that allows phone carriers to confirm whether an incoming call is genuine from the number displayed on your caller ID. Phones and networks supporting STIR/SHAKEN can label calls as “verified” or “potential spam,” helping you decide which calls to trust.

To benefit from this protection, ensure your phone and service provider support STIR/SHAKEN and keep your device updated.

You can know your phone number is being spoofed if you receive unexpected calls from strangers, your calls are marked as spam, or your carrier sends alerts about suspicious activity. Additionally, receiving calls that appear to come from your own number can also indicate spoofing.

1. Unexpected Calls from Strangers: Receiving calls from people claiming they missed your call, when you haven’t reached out to them, could indicate that someone is using your number to mask their identity and make scam calls.
2. Your Calls Are Blocked or Marked as Spam: If your calls start getting blocked or recipients see “Spam Risk” or “Scam Likely” tags on their caller ID, it's possible that your number is being spoofed.
3. Carriers’ Alerts or Warnings: Many mobile carriers provide alerts when they detect suspicious activity tied to your number. If you receive such notifications, it could mean your number is being spoofed.
4. Calls from Your Own Number: If you start receiving calls that appear to be from your own phone number, it could indicate that scammers are using your number to spoof calls. This is often done to make you curious or to trick you into answering the call.

If your number is being spoofed, contact your carrier, report it to the FCC or FTC, and inform your contacts to prevent scams. If the problem persists, consider changing your phone number and updating it across all platforms.

If you suspect your number is being spoofed, contact your phone carrier immediately. They can verify if spoofing is occurring, monitor unusual activity, and offer services to help limit the misuse.

Let friends, family, and colleagues know that your number is being spoofed so they don’t fall for potential scams. Advise them to avoid sharing sensitive information over the phone unless they can confirm they’re speaking with you.

If spoofing continues and becomes disruptive, changing your phone number may be the most effective solution. Be sure to notify about the update to your important contacts and also change your information on business cards, social media profiles, or any platforms where your number is listed.

Spoofing call is a deceptive technique used by scammers to disguise their true phone number, often making calls appear legitimate or familiar. This tactic is commonly used to steal personal information or commit fraud, leaving individuals vulnerable. While completely preventing spoofed calls can be challenging, you can take steps to protect yourself by avoiding unknown calls and utilizing spam-filtering tools.

For people concerned about the risks of caller ID spoofing, Calilio offers a comprehensive solution. We are a cloud telephony platform that provides call screening and filtering services, helping to safeguard your communications. By acquiring a number from us, you can ensure that any calls made to your number are easily identifiable.