**** HRP Media Release
Caller ID spoof scams
Halifax Regional Police remind citizens to stay alert to caller ID spoofing scams.
Police are continuing to receive reports caller ID spoof calls, a scam where fraudsters try to trick you into answering your phone by using technology to modify the information that appears on your call display. Usually it is a random number with the same area code and first three digits as your own phone number. In other cases, the call displays as being from an actual local business or person.
Tips for handling caller ID spoof scams
- Avoid answering calls from phone numbers you don’t recognize, even if they appear to be local. If it’s important, the caller will leave a message.
- There are call blocking apps for mobile phones that may help decrease the amount of spam calls, including those using a spoof caller ID. Your phone carrier may also provide a similar service or offer advice.
- Don’t trust call display. Using technology, scammers can choose any number they want to show on your call display. What appears to be an incoming call from a legitimate agency can be a scammer.
- Don’t call back the number. If the number has been spoofed, the person or agency it belongs to didn’t call you.
- If your own phone number is used in a caller ID spoof call, you may receive calls and messages from people asking why you called them in the first place. This can lead to a lot of confusion, between the but knowing your own number can be used by scammers may help explain the situation.
- If you do answer your phone and the caller claims to represent a business or government agency and asks for personal information, hang up. Always verify that the organization you’re dealing with is legitimate before you take any other action:
- Look online for contact information for the company that supposedly called you, and call them to confirm
- Call the number on your account statement or the back of your credit card.
- Never provide personal information such as your SIN, account numbers, passwords or other identifying information in response to unexpected calls.
More information is available at:
