North Wales Police warn of rise in number spoofing calls designed to steal personal details
North Wales Police are warning residents of a rise in number spoofing, where scammers deliberately change the caller ID on their calls to disguise who they are.
Caller ID — the number that appears on your phone before you answer — can be faked using technology that allows criminals to display any number they choose, including those belonging to banks, credit card companies and government bodies.
The practice, known as spoofing, is used to trick people into thinking a call is genuine before asking for sensitive information such as bank account details or login credentials.
North Wales Police say anyone receiving an unexpected call asking for personal or financial information should not provide it, regardless of what number appears on their screen.
The advice is to hang up and call the organisation back using a number from an account statement, a phone book, or the organisation’s official website.
Police say callers should wait at least five minutes before calling back to ensure the line has cleared and they are not still connected to the fraudster.
Anyone who believes they have been a victim of spoofing or fraud can report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at reportfraud.police.uk.
Reports can also be made via 101, or 999 if a crime is in progress.
People who suspect a scam can also contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133, which can pass details to Trading Standards.
North Wales Police are also encouraging residents to warn family, friends and neighbours about the threat.
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