How Caller ID Spoofing Works: Don’t Trust Every Call You See

Quick Links

• What is Caller ID Spoofing?
• How Does Caller ID Spoofing Work?
• Why Do Scammers Use Caller ID Spoofing?
• Real-World Examples of Caller ID Spoofing
• Common Signs of a Spoofed Caller ID

Caller ID spoofing is a method scammers use to disguise their phone number and make it look like the call is coming from a trusted source. Whether it’s pretending to be your bank, a government agency, or even your own number, these calls are designed to trick people into revealing personal information or transferring money.

At DontSpoof, we have extensively studied how scammers use caller ID spoofing to deceive individuals. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), billions of robocalls and spoofed calls are made every year, with many used to commit fraud. In this article, we’ll explain how caller ID spoofing works, why attackers use it, and how you can identify these fake calls.

What is Caller ID Spoofing?

Caller ID spoofing happens when a scammer manipulates the phone number information transmitted to your phone’s caller ID to make it look like someone else is calling. This allows the scammer to impersonate a trusted individual or organization, making the call seem legitimate.

The goal of caller ID spoofing is to trick victims into answering the call and believing the scammer’s message. In some cases, the number displayed may be local or familiar to the victim, creating a sense of trust or urgency.

How Does Caller ID Spoofing Work?

Caller ID spoofing takes advantage of the way phone networks transmit information. Typically, when a call is made, the network sends the caller’s phone number and possibly their name to your phone’s display. However, this data can be manipulated, allowing scammers to change the number that appears on the recipient’s caller ID.

Here’s how the process works step-by-step:

1. Falsifying the Caller ID Information: Attackers use special software or services to change the phone number that appears on the recipient’s screen. For example, they could make the call appear as if it’s coming from a legitimate organization, such as a bank, utility company, or government agency.
   • Example: A scammer calling from a number that appears as “IRS: (800) 555-1234” when in reality, the call is coming from an entirely different location.
2. Creating a Sense of Urgency: Once the victim answers the call, scammers often use urgent language to scare the recipient into taking immediate action. They may claim the victim’s bank account is compromised, or there’s an urgent legal issue that needs to be resolved.
   • Example: A caller claiming to be from your bank might say, “We’ve detected suspicious activity on your account. Please confirm your account details now, or we will have to freeze your account.”
3. Collecting Personal Information: The scammer then asks for sensitive data, such as your Social Security number, credit card details, or banking information, to “resolve” the fabricated issue.
   • Example: A scammer pretending to be from Social Security might say, “Your Social Security number has been compromised. To verify your identity, please provide your number and additional details.”

According to Truecaller’s 2023 Global Spam Report, over 68 million Americans fell victim to phone scams last year, many of which involved caller ID spoofing.

Why Do Scammers Use Caller ID Spoofing?

Caller ID spoofing is an effective tool for scammers because it plays on trust. Here are the main reasons why they use this method:

• Increased Trust: Calls from local numbers or well-known organizations are more likely to be answered. In fact, according to First Orion, 94% of people are more likely to answer a call if the number is local or familiar.
  • Example: A scammer may spoof a local area code to make you believe it’s a neighbor or nearby business calling, such as (555) 123-4567, even though the real caller could be across the world.
• Bypassing Call Blocks: Many people rely on call-blocking apps or services to avoid unknown numbers. By spoofing a trusted number, scammers can bypass these filters and ensure the call gets through.
  • Example: A spoofed call might appear as “John Smith (Your Neighbor)”, even though the real caller ID is hidden or manipulated.
• Creating Urgency: Caller ID spoofing is often combined with urgent requests to pressure the victim into making hasty decisions, such as providing personal information or making payments.
  • Example: A caller pretending to be from the IRS might say, “There is a warrant for your arrest due to unpaid taxes. You must pay immediately or face legal consequences.”

At DontSpoof, we have seen how these tactics are used in mass robocall campaigns to deceive thousands of victims daily.

Real-World Examples of Caller ID Spoofing

Here are two real-world examples showing how caller ID spoofing has been used in large-scale scams:

Example 1: IRS Tax Scam

One of the largest and most well-known caller ID spoofing scams involved scammers impersonating the IRS. The fraudsters spoofed the IRS’s phone number and called victims, claiming they owed back taxes and would be arrested if they didn’t pay immediately.

• Impact: The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) reported that this scam affected over 1.8 million Americans and caused $72 million in financial losses . Victims were often tricked into sending money via wire transfers or prepaid debit cards.

Example 2: Social Security Impersonation Scam

In another major scam, criminals spoofed the Social Security Administration’s number, calling victims and telling them their Social Security number had been compromised. The scammers would ask for sensitive information under the guise of “verifying” the victim’s identity.

• Impact: According to the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General, this scam resulted in more than $45 million in losses in 2021 . Victims were often elderly individuals who trusted the calls, believing they were speaking with legitimate government representatives.

Common Signs of a Spoofed Caller ID

Despite their sophisticated appearance, spoofed calls often have subtle clues that can give them away. Here are some signs to look for:

• Unfamiliar Numbers Displaying as Local: If you receive a call from a local number that you don’t recognize, be cautious. Scammers often use local numbers to increase the likelihood that you’ll answer.
  • Example: A number that looks like “(555) 123-4567” might appear local, but it’s actually coming from a call center abroad.
• Your Own Number Appearing: Seeing your own phone number displayed on your caller ID is a telltale sign of caller ID spoofing. Scammers use this trick to bypass call filters and confuse the recipient.
  • Example: If you receive a call from your own phone number or a number very similar to yours, it’s a clear indicator of a spoofed call.
• Calls from Government or Financial Institutions: Be suspicious of unsolicited calls from agencies like the IRS, Social Security, or your bank. Legitimate institutions rarely, if ever, request sensitive information over the phone or demand immediate payments.
• High-Pressure Tactics: Scammers often create a sense of urgency, threatening legal action, account suspension, or arrest if you don’t act quickly. This high-pressure approach is rarely used by legitimate companies.
  • Example: A scammer might say, “If you don’t provide your account information right now, your bank account will be frozen.”

At DontSpoof, we advise everyone to remain vigilant when receiving unexpected calls. If something feels off, trust your instincts and verify the caller’s legitimacy through official channels.

Conclusion

Caller ID spoofing remains a serious threat in today’s world of phone scams. Scammers rely on this technique to disguise their identity, trick victims, and steal sensitive information. By understanding how caller ID spoofing works and learning the common signs of a spoofed call, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these deceptive tactics.

At DontSpoof, we’re committed to providing comprehensive insights into various spoofing methods, including caller ID spoofing, to help you stay informed and secure. For more details on different types of spoofing, explore our guide on Types of Spoofing.