Identifying number spoofing

[tglmoa]

This morning I received a phone call from someone who told me they were returning a call that they had just received but couldn't answer. I told this person that I hadn't called them or anyone and they read me back the phone number that had called, and strangely it was my number. I had no idea how that could've happened and we ended the call. Looking at my call log I found no reference to having called that person's or anyone's number so far that morning.

Should I be worried? Some kind of scam? I would appreciate any help I can get. Thanks.

[BellAntgio · Accepted solution]

Hey there @tglmoa,

Welcome to the Community.

What you've experienced sounds like Caller ID/Number Spoofing, this is usually done when the caller is trying to mask their actual name and number from appearing on the call display. 

To learn more on Spoofing and how to report it, take a look at the CRTC's page on Caller ID Spoofing

[bigbeardedbuddy]

Today, I received 14 calls, from different numbers, all with a 572 prefix. I answered the first one, and got a recorded message, purporting to be from Amazon. I hung up immediately, since I knew it was a scam. After the first call, I received 13 more. All caller numbers had a 572 prefix, as is mine. First call was at 10:57 am, last was at 12:35 pm. Sure I blocked them, but they just call from a different number. I actually called one of them back, and got some guy who had no clue what I was talking about. Somebody is cloning real numbers and using them to scam people. Can nothing be done? One scam call every 10 minutes for an hour and a half. Not acceptable, and a royal pain! Thank you for your time.

Kind Regards,

bigbeardedbuddy

[eleesa]

Someone spoofed my Bell Mobility to make spam calls. I learned about it when a caller with the same exchange number (the 3 digits after the area code) called me, saying that they were returning my call. I explained to him that I hadn't called him, but that likely what happened was someone else spoofing my number had called him. 

I read an earlier community forum thread (https://forum.bell.ca/t5/Mobility/Shareing-a-number/m-p/1346) on this topic, but no actual resolution was offered by Bell. Is there nothing Bell can do to prevent Bell customers' numbers from being used in spoofing activities? I've been registered on the National Do Not Call List for years, but it has done nothing to prevent spam calls and unsolicited advertising. Now I'm worried about my number being used fraudulently as well.

[cloned]

my phone is being used by someone else

[WelshTerrier]

What you've experienced sounds likely Caller ID/Number Spoofing. This is usually done when the caller is trying to mask their actual name and number from appearing on the call display.  They are mimicking your name & number in an attempt to perform some form of fraud!

If you get calls from people saying your number is showing up on their caller ID, it's likely that your number has been spoofed. We suggest first that you do not answer any calls from unknown numbers, but if you do, explain that your telephone number is being spoofed and that you did not actually make any calls.

It is a common practice with fraudsters these days. The best advice I can give you is do not share any personal information with anyone you do not know. If you do not know them, hang up! Do not answer calls from unknown caller names & numbers! Say nothing! Do not return calls to unknown callers!

I have included the following link that will explain Caller ID Spoofing.

Caller ID Spoofing | CRTC

I wish I could offer you a quick fix & a simpler solution, but I can not. Caller ID/Number Spoofing is just one example of the fraud & theft that is going on throughout the world these days!

Take care.

[Chanel]

For over a year now, I get a return phone saying that I called them and they are returning my call. (This morning being the most recent). It is also to a random number, most often in my province, but I don’t even have it in my call history and sometimes when I’m not even using my phone. 

[Chanel]

How do I stop calls to random people being sent from my number?

[Lolfol]

What do I do if my own number is being spoofed to make spam calls? 

[BrandyBean]

Someone has gained access to using my cell phone number and is calling people using my cell phone number.  How do I stop that?

[HDI]

A text message that I did not create was sent to one of my contacts.  Looks as though I typed it and sent it, but I did not.  My contact replied as the message was ridiculous and made no sense.  I then replied back that I did not send that text!  This was very disturbing to me and a similar experience happened to me in the past.  I had 3 messages with an attachment arrive within 30 seconds.  Each was from different phone #'s that I recognized to be from people I used to work with at the same location but whom I had since removed from my contacts.  There was no message in each, only attachment.  I did not open them.  But, I did phone 1 person from a landline to inquire about the text.  This person denied sending it, although I do not trust a word they said.  My fear was that they were trying to hack my phone and privacy!

How Can a fraudster gain access to my phone / number and send a text without me knowing.  I can see the text myself on my phone!  Keep in mind,  my phone never left my sight in the moments that these occurrences happened.

[Tdizzle]

I’m sure there are worse cases of this out there, but this is getting ridiculous. I’ve got calls from unknown numbers silenced, but it still gives me a notification. I do occasionally get calls from numbers not in my contacts. How do I stop these without turning off the notifications? It’s SO annoying.

[dks]

Thank you for your question. Yes, such calls are annoying. Unfortunately Bell has little control over who calls you. I have my cell phone set to vibrate as opposed to ringing. Then I can choose to answer or let the call go to voice mail. The Call Privacy feature may also be useful. 

[jaredc11]

My number is also being spoofed. An elderly lady called me and said she got a weird call from my number and was returning the call. I did not call her. I told her to ignore numbers she doesn't know, and it wasn't me calling. She was very confused. I added her number to the DNCL for her. 

[jaredc11]

The CRTC does nothing. There's no information on their page about dealing with it. What is Bell going to do?