What spoofing is
Caller ID spoofing means a caller changes the number or name that shows up on your phone. Some businesses do this for honest reasons, like showing a main office number. Scammers do it to borrow trust. Under federal law it is illegal to fake caller ID to cheat someone or cause harm.
Phone companies have added tools to check whether a number is real, which has helped, but faked calls still get through.
Common spoofing tricks
- Your bank's real phone number, followed by a warning about fraud on your account.
- A local sheriff's office or police department saying you missed jury duty.
- Social Security, Medicare, or the IRS.
- A number that looks like your neighbors', with the same area code and first three digits.
- Your own phone number, which tends to make people curious enough to answer.
How to protect yourself
- Do not trust a call just because the name or number looks right.
- If a caller says they are from a company or agency, hang up.
- Look up the number yourself, on the back of your card, on a statement, or on the agency's official website, and call it.
- Never give out a code, a password, or account details on a call you did not place.
Spoofed texts too
Text messages can also appear to come from a familiar name or short code. The same rule applies: do not tap links or reply. Contact the company through its app or a number you already have. If you are unsure, forward the text to Uncle and ask.
If someone uses your number
If people call you back angry about calls you never made, a scammer may be spoofing your number. You usually do not need to change it. Record a short voicemail greeting saying your number is being faked and you did not call them. Scammers move on to other numbers quickly. You can file a complaint with the FCC at fcc.gov.
Stuck on a step?
Text Uncle at +1 208 214 0093 and tell him what you see on your screen. He walks you through it in plain words, one step at a time.
Read next
- Bank fraud alert text
- Social Security scam
- Silence unknown callers on iPhone
- Filter spam calls on Android
- See all guides
Written by the Textuncle team. Last updated October 3, 2026.
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