Phone spoofing scams are on the rise, and scammers are getting more convincing every day. These scams manipulate caller ID to look like a trusted number—your credit union, a government agency, or even… your mom! But don’t panic! With the right knowledge, you can protect yourself and avoid falling victim to these scams.
Phone spoofing is when scammers disguise their phone number to “spoof” – or imitate- one you trust. Using specialized software, they can make their calls seem like they’re coming from familiar sources, such as your:
The goal? To trick you into sharing sensitive information or sending money.
But no matter how convincing the caller sounds, you can outsmart them by recognizing the signs and taking the right precautions.
Scammers use psychological tactics to manipulate you. Be on high alert if you notice any of these warning signs:
If the caller says you must act immediately or face consequences, pause. Whether it’s a "limited-time offer" or a threat like "your account will be locked," urgency is a major red flag.
Scammers may ask for:
Or they might pressure you to:
Legitimate organizations will never request sensitive information or payment over an unsolicited call.
Examples include:
These extreme scenarios are designed to trigger emotional responses that override logic.
Scammers can spoof phone numbers to appear as someone trustworthy. Caller ID is no longer a reliable source of truth.
Never give out sensitive details over the phone, especially in response to unexpected calls.
If the call seems suspicious, hang up. Then, use an official number from a trusted source—such as your credit union’s website—to call back and verify the caller’s identity.
Here’s how these scams might look in real life: