High riskPhone & Voice

Caller ID Spoofing Scam

In this scam, fraudsters fake the caller ID so a call appears to come from your bank, a local number, or a real agency, making their impersonation far more convincing.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Number spoofing (vishing)
Main red flag
A call that 'looks' like your bank or a real agency but pressures you to act.
What to do first
Hang up and call back on an official number; caller ID can be faked.

What this scam usually looks like

In this scam, fraudsters fake the caller ID so a call appears to come from your bank, a local number, or a real agency, making their impersonation far more convincing.

Phone and voice scams, known as vishing, use live callers and robocalls to impersonate banks, retailers, agencies, and tech support. The call is a doorway to remote access, one-time codes, or moving money, and phone contact carries some of the highest reported losses.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: A call that 'looks' like your bank or a real agency but pressures you to act. Hang up and call back on an official number; caller ID can be faked.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Bank Impersonation Phone Scam or the Safe Account Scam, browse the Phone & Voice Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

Highest median loss
phone calls are the contact method with the highest reported median loss to fraud
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
$2.7B
reported lost to imposter scams in the US in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: Your screen shows your bank's name or a local number, but the caller pressures you for codes, payments, or remote access.

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Why this is a red flag: A call that 'looks' like your bank or a real agency but pressures you to act.

Red flags to watch for

  • A trusted name or local number on caller ID with unusual requests
  • Pressure to share codes, move money, or grant access
  • A caller who discourages you from hanging up to verify
  • Urgency and secrecy
  • Requests that a genuine organisation would never make

What to do

  • Hang up and call back on an official number from your card or its website
  • Never trust caller ID alone to confirm identity
  • Wait a moment or use another phone before calling back
  • Report spoofing to the organisation and your carrier

If you already clicked or replied

  • If you shared codes or details, contact your bank immediately
  • Change passwords and enable two-factor authentication
  • Review accounts for unauthorised activity
  • Report the call

What not to do

  • Do not trust the name or number shown on caller ID
  • Do not share codes or grant access on an inbound call
  • Do not call back on a number the caller gives

Similar scams

High risk Bank & Payment

Bank Impersonation Phone Scam

In this scam a caller pretends to be your bank's fraud team, claims your account is under attack, and pressures you to move money to a 'safe account', read out one-time codes, or grant remote access so they can steal your funds.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Bank & Payment

Safe Account Scam

In this scam, a caller posing as your bank or the police says your account is compromised and instructs you to move your money to a new 'safe account' for protection, which is actually controlled by the scammer.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Government & Tax

Police Impersonation Scam

In this scam, callers pose as police or law enforcement, claim you are linked to a crime or have a warrant, and demand immediate payment or personal details to 'clear your name' or avoid arrest.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

How can a scammer fake my bank's number?
Caller ID spoofing lets fraudsters display any name or number, including your bank's or a local one, to seem legitimate. Never rely on caller ID alone.
How do I verify who is calling?
Hang up and call back using the number on your card, a bill, or the official website, ideally after a short wait or on another phone.
I shared a code with a spoofed caller. What now?
Contact your bank immediately, change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and review accounts for unauthorised activity.
Can I stop spoofed calls?
You cannot fully prevent them, but call-blocking and your carrier's spam tools help. The key defence is verifying through official numbers.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.