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.

[RaOtt]

I’ve received two recent mobile phone calls from people saying they received a call from my number. I had not called either person. My phone number is being used somehow. I have locked my pin and changed the bell PIN code in the sim.

What other steps should I take? What other passwords should I change? Should I contact the credit bureaus, banks, credit card company? 

[Fitzy]

it appears my phone number has been hacked. I am in NL and someone from BC called me to say my number has called them 5 times. What do I do?

[dks]

Thank you for your concern. Your phone and number has not been hacked but your phone number has been spoofed by fraudsters. Bell does have technology to address this, as do all providers, but fraudsters are always a step ahead.

What can you do?

Do not answer calls from unknown numbers, even local ones. People can leave a message and you can call back. If someone calls you and claims your number called you. briefly explain that your number was spoofed by parties unknown and apologize.

You can find more information about caller ID spoofing here . 

[Granny franny]

This happened to me wondering whats going on

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

Good Dayl

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!

Fraudsters can impersonate anyone or any company that they wish to be in order to steal from you. Remember one thing, listen only, say nothing & share nothing! If in doubt call Bell directly.

Bell does not share your personal information with anyone else! Reputable companies such as Bell, banks, utilities & highly regarded services & institutions do not send you messages or make calls such as this! They do not call you asking to provide personal information.

Never share any personal information with anyone you do not know or trust! Do not open web links or messages in Emails or text messages!

Please have a look at the following web links. It will explain just what I am saying with much more details.

Service provider impersonation scam - Bell

Reporting security issues : Reporting potential security issues

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.

[hastheanswers]

I can get up to 10 calls a day from anyone of the 10 provinces. and these numbers for the most part are customers of bell who know nothing about the call. Bell will not give you any help. Yet there is a feature on Koodo called Call Control for free that works well. This is who I was with before changing to Bell. Bell knows about this free feature. MY question is; Will Bell mobility do something to help us customer's out?

[dks]

Thanks for your concern. Some providers use Call Control while Bell uses other technologies. There is no perfect solution. It is a continual game of whack-a-mole with call spoofers. 

[Aries93]

How do I let people know a phone number linked to a Bell Mobility account in my hometown is a scam?

[dks]

That's an interesting question. Can you say more? What causes you to say that a particular phone number is a scam? 

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome.

The question you have asked is not the easiest to answer & next to impossible to solve at this time.

Let us start off with this: "Any number can be used by a fraudster / scammer to trick you into believing he is the real McCoy!  It is called: "Caller ID/Number Spoofing".

 This 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!

Fraudsters can impersonate anyone or any company that they wish to be in order to steal from you.

Please have a look at the following web links. It will explain just what I am saying with much more details.

Service provider impersonation scam - Bell

Caller ID Spoofing | CRTC

There is no simple solution or quick fix. Caller ID/Number Spoofing is just one example of the fraud & theft that is going on throughout the world these days!

Thank you for sharing your concern with the community.

Take care.

[Aries93]

Sure. Scratchy voice recording about a transaction on a VISA. I’m pretty confident the VISA companies don’t make calls from a cell phone. It was a local number on reverse lookup… located in my hometown owned by a Bell Mobility account

[dks · Accepted solution]

Thank you for the clarification. Unfortunately, as my colleague @WelshTerrier has said, this is a common tactic used by fraudsters to ply their criminal activity. While Bell Canada does it's very best to combat this criminal activity, the criminals are always one step ahead.

You are not alone. I received two calls today from unrecognized local numbers. One had full Caller ID information  and was from a person in my community whom I know is deceased! I don't think the deceased person was calling. If they were, it was not from any location on this earth! 

The only solution I have found is not to answer unknown calls, even local calls, but let them go to voice mail and to respond to the voice mail.