How to stop someone from spoofing my phone number

Phone number spoofing occurs when scammers manipulate caller ID to disguise their phone number and make it appear that they’re calling from a trusted source, such as a familiar area code, a family member’s number, or even your own.

Having your number spoofed can leave you vulnerable to reputational damage if your number is associated with a scammer tricking victims into giving up money. And it may also increase your risk of being scammed yourself, with scammers pretending to be able to “help you” fix the issue.

In this article, we’ll explain how phone number spoofing works and how to better protect yourself against it.

How to tell if your phone number is spoofed

It can be difficult to tell if your phone number is spoofed, and you often won’t realize until you notice the following signs: complaints from strangers, calls from your own number, or your number being flagged as spam when calling others.

• Complaints from strangers: If strangers contact you asking who you are, and you definitely didn’t contact them, it’s a sign that someone else is using your number for spam texts or fake phone calls. You might be inundated by messages or calls, depending on how many people the spoofer has spammed.
• Calls from your own number: If you get calls from your own phone number, a scammer might be trying to test your gullibility by making you curious enough to answer.
• Your number is blocked: If your number is suddenly being blocked or flagged as spam when you call people you know, it may be because people have reported it. Call-blocking apps can automatically block calls from numbers reported as spam.

How to stop someone from spoofing my phone number

If your number is being spoofed, report it to your carrier immediately. You can also change your outgoing voicemail message so angry respondents know what’s going on.

Here are the detailed steps you should follow to help stop phone spoofing:

1. Contact your carrier

The FCC requires most service providers — particularly those using IP networks — to implement STIR/SHAKEN protocols to authenticate calls, precisely to protect against spoofers and spammers. These protocols digitally validate caller ID data as it passes through the network, helping your carrier verify the number displayed on the caller ID and block fraudulent calls before they reach you.

If a criminal is spoofing your number, your first step should be to contact your mobile carrier. Doing so allows them to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues with the STIR/SHAKEN system.

2. Change your voicemail message and password

Update your voicemail greeting to notify callers that somebody is spoofing your number. Politely explain that suspicious calls originating from your number are not from you, and suggest blocking the number.

Additionally, change your voicemail password to prevent spoofers from accessing or manipulating it, especially if they’ve gained unauthorized access.

3. Check for SIM swap or identity theft attempts

A SIM swap is a common tactic criminals use to try to hijack your phone number and gain access to sensitive accounts. Pay attention to signs of unauthorized activity, such as sudden loss of service or unexpected phone charges.

Review your phone bill regularly for unfamiliar charges or signs of unusual activity. If you suspect a SIM swap, contact your carrier immediately to secure your account and stop further misuse.

4. Report suspected spoofing calls to the FTC

If somebody is spoofing your number, reporting it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is crucial. The FTC collects reports to identify patterns and track down scammers, helping to prevent further fraudulent activity. You can also call the FTC directly at (877) FTC-HELP — (877) 382-4357 — to file a report.

5. Use an identity theft protection tool

If your number is spoofed, criminals may be using it to impersonate you and gain access to your accounts or sensitive information. As a victim of spoofing, it's essential to monitor your personal details and accounts for signs of misuse.

Identity theft protection services like LifeLock offer features like automatic data broker removal, dark web monitoring, and identity alerts† to help you reduce online exposure of your personal information and detect fraudulent activity related to your details.

How to help prevent scammers from getting your number

Keeping your phone number private can help protect it from falling into the hands of scammers, in turn reducing the risk that it’s used in scam calls that rely on caller ID manipulation to trick victims. Here are some strategies to help keep your phone number more secure:

Don’t engage with suspicious emails

It can be easy to be fooled into sharing personal information with unfamiliar senders, especially if the email address is spoofed. Scammers may pretend to be from a government agency, your bank, or another trusted source, and ask you to confirm your phone number and other personal details.

It may seem trivial, but if they end up with your email and phone number, along with other details, scammers can do real damage, even indirectly.

Protect your phone number online

Be cautious about sharing your personal information online — and that goes for all your personal data, not just your phone number.

Adjust your privacy settings on social media to restrict access to your number and profile, ensuring they’re not visible to the public. And remove yourself from data broker sites by making a manual request on their opt-out pages or using a tool like LifeLock that sends opt-out requests automatically on your behalf.

Avoid entering your phone number in giveaways, contests, or sweepstakes. Scammers commonly use fake giveaways to collect contact information under the guise of a tantalizing promotion.

Similarly, don’t provide your phone number when signing up for newsletters or email updates if you can help it. Scammers may also use these forms to collect contact information.

Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers

While not necessarily associated with increased risk of your number being used in call spoofing, answering calls from unknown numbers could mean you’re targeted with more scams in the future by signalling that your number is active.

Consider blocking unknown, potential scam call numbers to prevent them from contacting you again. Here’s how to block unknown numbers on both iPhone and Android:

• On iPhone: Go to Settings > Phone. Toggle on Silence Unknown Callers.
• Android: Go to Phone > Settings > Blocked numbers. Enable Block unknown/private numbers (steps may vary depending on the manufacturer).

You can also block potential spam calls to reduce your exposure to annoying marketing tactics.

Why is phone spoofing dangerous?

Phone spoofing is dangerous because it allows scammers to disguise their true identity and appear to be calling from a trusted source.

Here are some of the dangers associated with your phone number being spoofed:

• Identity theft: Spoofing can be a sign of broader identity theft. Scammers might have accessed personal details to pair with your number, putting your financial and personal data at greater risk.
• Misidentification: If someone reports your phone number as being part of a scam, cell carriers, law enforcement, or regulatory agencies might associate it with the scheme until you resolve the issue.
• Reputational damage: Spoofing can harm your reputation if your number is associated with fraudulent calls. Friends, family, or clients may not trust calls or messages from your number, creating long-term consequences for personal and professional relationships.
• Financial loss: If a scammer calls you from “your number,” you may be curious to answer. If you then fall for the ruse, you could be tempted to give away other private information to a scammer.

Protect your number from spoofers

Keeping your number hidden from spoofers can help reduce the risk that it’s involved in a spoofing scheme in the first place. Join LifeLock for an automatic data broker removal feature that helps you remove your personal information, including your phone number, from public websites. As a member, you’ll also get support from dedicated specialists if you’re targeted in a scam or your identity is stolen.

FAQs

How can I find out if my phone number is spoofed?

You may notice calls or messages from people asking why you contacted them, even though you didn’t. Another sign is your number being blocked or identified as spam when you’re calling others.

Can I find out who spoofed me?

Probably not. It’s nearly impossible to find out who spoofed your number. Scammers often use advanced technology to mask their identity, and typically operate from untraceable or international sources, making it difficult to track them down.

What is neighbor spoofing?

Neighbor spoofing occurs when scammers use a phone number that’s ostensibly from the same area as the target — typically with the same area code and prefix — to trick them into answering the call. This tactic preys on the fact that people are more likely to answer calls from local numbers because they look familiar.