A Guide to Number Spoofing - Why It Happens and What to Do

Published 12 November 2025

Summary

Number spoofing is a widespread scam technique designed to trick you into answering or revealing sensitive information. While you cannot fully prevent your number from being spoofed, enabling spam filters, silencing unknown callers, and reporting incidents helps reduce risks and protect your privacy.

Overview

This article provides guidance for customers who may have experienced or are concerned about number spoofing (caller ID spoofing). It explains what spoofing is, why it occurs, how to identify if your number has been used, and how to protect yourself using built-in device tools and reporting channels.

Steps

1. What is Number Spoofing?

2. Why Do Scammers Do This?

3. How to Tell if Your Number Is Being Used

4. How to Protect Yourself

5. How to Stop Your Number Being Spoofed

6. Device-Specific Call Protection Settings - iOS (Apple) Devices

7. Device-Specific Call Protection Settings - Android Devices

1. What is Number Spoofing?

Number spoofing (or Caller ID spoofing) occurs when scammers falsify the number shown on their caller ID. This makes the call appear to come from a legitimate Australian number, a local "neighbour" number, or even your own.Common impersonations include:

Common impersonations include:

• Financial Institutions: Banks or credit card providers.

• Government Agencies: The ATO, Services Australia, or MyGov.

• Essential Services: Telcos, delivery companies, or technical support. 

The goal is to trick you into answering and sharing personal or financial information.

2. Why Do Scammers Do This?

• People are more likely to answer local or familiar numbers.

• It helps scammers gain trust or authority.

• Often used alongside robocalls or live agents who pressure you with fake threats (e.g., tax debts, account issues).

3. How to Tell if Your Number Is Being Used

If a scammer is using your number to mask their calls, you may notice the following "red flags":

• Unexpected Return Calls: You receive "call backs" from people you never contacted.

• Mystery Text Replies: You get replies to messages you never actually sent.
  

• Sudden Call Volume: You experience a sudden surge of incoming calls from unknown numbers or strangers.

4. How to Protect Yourself

• Verify Independently: If a caller demands urgent action or sensitive info, hang up. Call the organisation back using a verified number from their official website.

• Don't Engage: Do not press buttons or follow prompts if you suspect a robocall.

• Report to Scamwatch: This is the most effective way to fight back. Reporting helps the ACCC track scam trends and work with global authorities. Report here: Scamwatch.gov.au

• Use call-blocking or filtering features on your device.

• Report spoofing incidents to Scamwatch and your provider.

5. How to Stop Your Number Being Spoofed

Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed way to prevent spoofing entirely. However, you can reduce unwanted calls using your device’s security features:

• Enable built-in call screening or spam filtering.

• Block or silence unknown numbers.

• Keep your contact list updated so legitimate calls are not missed.

6. Device-Specific Call Protection Settings - iOS (Apple Devices)

• Go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers.
• Toggle On.

Screen or Silence Unknown Callers

• Go to Settings > Apps > Phone or FaceTime.

• Choose how to manage unsaved numbers:

  • Never: Rings like normal.

  • Ask Reason for Calling: Screens call before it rings.

  • Silence: Sends call to voicemail.

Filter Spam Callers

• Go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Filtering.

• Turn on Spam to silence and filter suspected spam or fraud calls.

7. Device-Specific Call Protection Settings - Android Devices

Turn Caller ID & Spam Protection On

• Open the Phone app.

• Tap More (⋮) > Settings > Caller ID and Spam.

• Turn on See Caller ID & Spam.

• Optional: Enable Filter Spam Calls to block calls automatically.

Turn on Caller ID Announcement

• Go to Phone app > More (⋮) > Settings > Caller ID Announcement.

• Choose when to announce caller ID:

  • Always

  • Only with headset

  • Never

Mark Calls as Spam

• Open Phone app > Recents.

• Tap and hold the number > Block/Report Spam.

• Confirm the report to help improve spam detection.