CSB Blog

With scams on the rise, it is important to learn about the different types, so you are less apt to become a victim of one. A scam that has become more popular in recent months is commonly known as Telephone Spoofing. This is where a fraudster manipulates caller ID to have your phone display the number and sometimes even the name of your financial institution or other vendor when they are calling. They then impersonate an employee and attempt to extract personal information from you which they then use to commit fraud.

So, how can you tell that you are receiving a telephone spoof call?

You may not be able to tell if an incoming call is spoofed. Be extremely careful about responding to any request for personal identifying information.

• If someone calls and states they are from your financial institution and you are not expecting a call, get their name and then let them know you are hanging up and will call back. Do not ask for a call back number or use the one listed on your caller ID display. Instead, use the number listed on your statement or their website. This will help ensure the authenticity of the call.
• Until you have confirmed the request with the method above, do not respond to any questions, especially ones that can be answered with a yes or no.
• If the caller or a recording states to press a number on the phone’s keypad to stop calls, simply hang up; do not press a number.
• Never give out personal or banking information like social security numbers, account numbers, pin numbers, etc.
• If you are being pressured into answering questions, hang up immediately.
• Consult with your phone carrier company about blocking calls.
• Don’t answer calls from an unknown number, and if you do, hang up immediately.
• If you believe you have given personal information to a fraudster, contact your financial institution to help determine next steps.

If a caller is getting frustrated by the fact you are not answering questions or providing information, there is a good chance they are a fraudster. Never feel pressured to answer questions or feel bad about wanting to confirm the call’s authenticity.