What are Spoofed Calls, and How Can You Avoid Them?

Caller ID used to be a game-changer. Finally, you could see who was calling before picking up. But these days, that little name or number flashing on your screen doesn’t always tell the truth. Thanks to spoofing, scammers can make it look like the call is coming from a local number, a familiar name, or even a trusted institution.

In this guide, we’ll break down how spoofing works, the risks involved, and most importantly, what you can do to stay a step ahead.

What are spoofed calls?

Spoofed calls are phone calls in which the caller intentionally alters the information shown on your caller ID to conceal their true identity. In simple terms, the phone number or name that shows up on your screen has been faked, making the call appear as if it’s coming from someone you know, a trusted organization, or a local area number even when it’s not.

How spoofed calls work

Caller ID spoofing takes advantage of telecommunications technology that transmits caller ID information to your phone. Scammers use simple software, mobile apps, internet-based VoIP systems, and even online spoofing services to manipulate the caller ID seen by recipients. This means even someone with basic technical knowledge can mask their actual number with almost any number they choose, from a local area code to the number of a bank, government agency, or friend.

Common purposes for spoofing

Why do scammers go to the trouble of spoofing calls? Their main aim is deception. Here are some of the most typical motivations:

Phishing scams: The caller pretends to be from your bank, the IRS, or another authority to trick you into giving up personal or financial information.

Tech support fraud: The caller impersonates a tech support representative and persuades you to provide access to your computer or accounts.

Prank or harassment: Sometimes, spoofing is used for harassment, bullying, or pranks.

Malicious spam: To bypass call-blockers and get around users who don’t answer unknown numbers, marketers use spoofed numbers that appear local or familiar.

Business attacks: Fraudsters target companies with impostor calls, attempting to convince employees to share sensitive data.

Examples of recent scams

Recent years have seen a surge in high-profile spoofing scandals. For instance, scammers impersonating government agencies like the Social Security Administration or local police departments have used spoofed calls to intimidate victims into giving up cash, gift cards, or sensitive information. Spoofed calls have also been used to exploit pandemic uncertainty, offering fake relief programs or demanding “past due” payments.

Why are spoofed calls dangerous?

Risks to individuals

The biggest risk is identity theft and financial loss. Because spoofed calls appear so convincing, targets are far more likely to pick up the phone or trust the caller’s story. Once trust is gained, scammers manipulate victims into:

• Providing bank or credit card numbers
• Disclosing Social Security numbers or passwords
• Transferring money or paying fraudulent “fees”
• Installing malware or “remote-access tools” that compromise computers or phones

Risks to organizations

It’s not just individuals at risk—businesses are top targets too. Common threats include:

Business Email Compromise (BEC): Attackers use spoofed calls and emails to trick employees into wiring money or disclosing sensitive internal data.

Reputational damage: Customers who receive fake calls from imposters can lose trust in the real organization.

Operational disruption: Spoofed calls can overwhelm a business’s phone system, leading to service delays and frustration.

How can you identify spoofed calls?

Some spoofed calls are so professional that even the most careful person can be fooled. However, there are a few warning signs and detection methods to keep on your radar.

Warning signs

Unexpected calls from known organizations: If your bank, the IRS, or another trusted company calls you without warning and asks for sensitive info, it’s likely a scam.

Urgency or threats: Scammers often use high-pressure tactics. If a caller tells you that you must act now—or face legal trouble, fines, or missed opportunities—be suspicious.

Requests for sensitive information: No reputable organization will ask for account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, or one-time codes over the phone.

Odd or generic greetings: Automated “robocalls” or callers who don’t know your name may be a giveaway.

How to avoid spoofed calls

Awareness is your best defense. Follow these strategies to keep yourself safe:

General prevention tips

1. Don’t answer unknown numbers. If the call matters, the caller will leave a message.

2. Don’t provide personal or financial info. Do not share sensitive information over the phone unless you made the call and have confirmed the recipient’s identity.

3. Hang up and call back. If a caller claims to be from your bank or an official organization, hang up and call back using the number listed on their official website or your latest statement.

4. Register your number. Add your phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce legitimate telemarketing calls, making scams easier to spot.

5. Watch out for urgent requests. If someone demands payment by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency, don’t engage.

6. Listen for red flags. Many scam calls begin with robotic voices, awkward greetings, or a failure to identify themselves.

Use of technology

Call-blocking apps: Numerous free and paid apps identify and block known scam numbers.

Carrier features: Most wireless carriers include some level of spam call filtering.

STIR/SHAKEN verification: These industry standards verify that a call is originating from the number displayed on your caller ID. As more carriers implement STIR/SHAKEN, you may see “verified” or “spam risk” labels.

Reverse lookups: Research who called you before calling back or responding.

Stay educated

New scam tactics appear every month. Stay updated through trustworthy sources, such as the FCC, your local Better Business Bureau, or cybersecurity blogs. Let family members, especially seniors and children, know about the current spoofing risks.

How could reverse lookup help protect you?

One of the most powerful tools in your anti-scam arsenal is reverse lookup—the ability to research almost any phone number before answering, returning calls, or taking action. Reverse lookup tools like BeenVerified provide peace of mind by helping you confirm whether an unknown number is likely legitimate or suspicious.

What is reverse lookup?

A reverse phone lookup is a service that allows you to search public and proprietary databases to try to find out who owns a particular phone number. By entering an unfamiliar number, you can often identify the caller’s name, location, service carrier, or business—assuming the number is not private or unlisted.

Staying safe from phone scams isn’t about paranoia—it’s about being proactive. With tools like reverse phone lookup, you don’t have to take unknown calls on blind trust. You can quickly get the context you need to decide whether to answer, block, or report a number—and that simple step can make all the difference.

Whether you’re double-checking a missed call, looking into a suspicious message, or just staying ahead of the latest scams, services like BeenVerified can give you the upper hand in a world where not every caller is who they say they are.