Caller ID spoofing is the deliberate falsification of information sent to your caller ID display. A call can appear to come from a familiar area code, a local business, or even your own number.
Caller ID is a clue, not proof
A familiar name or number can help you recognize a call, but it cannot prove who is on the other end. Do not share sensitive information only because the display looks legitimate.
What screening adds
Screening can ask the caller to state a name and reason. That extra context may help you decide whether the call is worth answering, but a scammer can also make a false claim.
How to verify safely
- Do not use a callback number supplied during a suspicious call.
- Find the organization's official number from a statement, card, or official website.
- Call back through that independent channel and ask whether the request is real.
- Never read a one-time code or password to an unexpected caller.
Use cautious labels
Terms such as possible spam or high-confidence spam should reflect the available evidence. They should not be presented as identity verification or a guarantee.
Official sources
Keep reading
What happens, step by step, when a call reaches your screening line.
A simple routine for handling calls from numbers you do not recognize.
The difference between the two, and why screening helps you handle both more calmly.
How FilterMyCalls works for people in the United States and Canada.
Ready to screen unknown calls?
FilterMyCalls is a call-screening service for the U.S. and Canada. Know who is calling and why before you answer — about US$8/month or US$80/year, with Canadian pricing shown in CAD before purchase. Eligible first-time website purchases billed through Stripe may use the 30-day guarantee when Plan & billing confirms eligibility and its refund flow is operational.
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