How Caller ID Spoofing Works—and What You Can Do About It

We all love the convenience of seeing who’s calling before we pick up the phone. But sometimes, that number on your screen isn’t what it seems. Caller ID spoofing is a sneaky tactic scammers use to make you think the call is from someone you trust—whether it’s a local business, your bank or credit union, or even a government agency.

But don’t worry—Mission Fed is here to help you stay informed and stay safe. Here’s what you need to know about caller ID spoofing and how to stay one step ahead.

What Is Caller ID Spoofing?

Caller ID spoofing is when a scammer deliberately changes the phone number that shows up on your phone’s caller ID. The goal is simple: trick you into picking up and potentially sharing personal info. They might pretend to be your bank, a government agency, or even a local number you recognize. By making you believe you’re connected with a legitimate company, scammers will then try to get you to let your guard down and share sensitive information.

How Does Caller ID Spoofing Work?

Here’s how scammers pull this off:

1. They pick a number that looks familiar – It might have your area code or appear to come from a trusted business. It may even be identical to a number you know and recognize. The idea is to make it look like someone you’d normally pick up for.
2. They use software to disguise or spoof the number – Technology lets them disguise their real number, manipulating caller ID, so the number you see isn’t where the call is really coming from.
3. They hope you’ll answer and share info – Once you pick up, the scammer might pretend to be from a trusted source, asking for your bank info, Social Security number, or account passwords.

Common Caller ID Spoofing Scams

Scammers have a few tricks up their sleeves when it comes to caller ID spoofing. Here’s how they often operate:

• “Government” impersonation calls – You might get a call from someone claiming to be the IRS or Social Security, saying you owe money or face legal trouble. It’s designed to scare you into quick action.
• Bank or financial institution – They pretend to be from your bank, asking for sensitive info like your account or credit card details, making it seem like an urgent matter.
• Tech support – You might hear from “tech support” claiming your computer is infected or needs urgent repairs, pushing you to follow their instructions.
• Local spoofing – Sometimes, scammers use a number that looks like it’s from your area, trying to appear more trustworthy, so you’re more likely to answer.

Regardless of the type of spoofing scam, they all rely on trust and urgency, catching you off guard and hoping you’ll act before you think. Their tactics are designed to pull at your emotions.

How to Protect Yourself

The good news is there are easy steps you can take to stay ahead of these scams:

1. Trust your instincts, not caller ID alone – If the call seems off or the person asks for sensitive information, hang up. Call back using a known, trusted number.
2. Guard your personal info – Never share your password with anyone, and never share sensitive info like your Social Security number, account numbers, or card numbers with anyone that calls you. Mission Fed will never contact you directly to ask you to share details regarding your account or other sensitive information.
3. Look out for red flags – One major red flag is when a caller asks you to withdraw money or purchase gift cards. Legitimate businesses, including Mission Fed, will never ask you to do this as a solution to any problem.
4. Let unknown numbers go to voicemail – If you don’t recognize the number, it’s okay to let it ring through to voicemail. If it’s important, they’ll leave a message—and most scammers won’t bother.
5. Report suspicious calls – If you suspect you’ve received a spoofed call, report it to the FCC or FTC. Your report helps them track these scams and prevent future incidents.

Stay One Step Ahead

Caller ID spoofing may seem like a clever trick, but with a little awareness, you can outsmart these scammers. If a call seems off, trust your instincts—there’s no harm in hanging up and doing your own research. At the end of the day, your safety and privacy come first.

At Mission Fed, we’re committed to keeping you informed and helping you make the smartest financial choices. So next time you see an unexpected call, stay sharp—and remember, we’re here for you.

For more tips on safeguarding your information or to learn about our online and mobile banking security features, visit our Security Center or connect with a Mission Fed representative today.

The content provided in this blog consists of the opinions and ideas of the author alone and should be used for informational purposes only. Mission Federal Credit Union disclaims any liability for decisions you make based on the information provided. References to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name in this article by Mission Federal Credit Union is for the information and convenience of its readers and does not constitute endorsement, control or warranty by Mission Federal Credit Union. Mobile and data rates apply when using mobile banking.