Is it possible for another mobile user to 'ghost call' someone else using your number?

savemore on 07/01/2022 - 22:43

Hi,

Had a strange situation this afternoon. I got a phone call from a person in NSW saying that I'd called their number and they were returning my call. The only issue was, that the phone I was using was a work phone which hadn't made any calls since Wednesday, with none of them being the number that appeared on the work phone. This got me wondering, is it possible for someone else to ring another phone and give the impression that the call was being received from another number?
Even though I didn't know the person, they were willing to answer my questions as to whether or not they had my number prior (no) and why and where they were ringing me from (returning the call and based in Newcastle, NSW).
Should I be concerned about this and what can I do to ensure that phone hasn't been hacked? (it's an iPhoneSE 2nd Gen)
TIA
savemore

Mobile

Comments

    • savemore on 07/01/2022 - 23:03

      Thanks for this link, it makes for interesting reading. As I inherited this phone from at least 1-2 people prior, then I wonder what they did with it prior to me receiving it. Before I received it, a Factory Reset was done. As it is work phone, I'll need to let my Business Manager know.

      • Peter Enis on 07/01/2022 - 23:08
        +4

        I wouldn't stress too much about it. Happened to me as well a few months back. Just don't answer numbers you don't recognise. Unless you must do for work.

        When it happened to me the person who called me back had a number that was only a few digits different from my own. I presume it's some kind of bot in action.

  • Twix on 07/01/2022 - 23:06
    +3

    The iPhone has not been hacked. Scammers can spoof legitimate phone numbers and the location of where the call is coming from.

    When someone calls you all you can do is say sorry scammers are faking my phone number, don't give them any personal information or remote access to computers and mobiles and to hangup.

    • savemore on 07/01/2022 - 23:08

      I just said that I didn't make the call and that I didn't have any outgoing calls to that number and suggested the call came from someone impersonating my number. Person was understanding, so the caller wasn't a scammer. I apologised and hoped they had a good weekend.

      • Twix on 07/01/2022 - 23:10
        +2

        The person who returned your call was not a scammer.

        A scammer called the person who returned your call by pretending to come from your work number.

        • savemore on 07/01/2022 - 23:12
          +1

          Yes, I had figured that this was the case. At least he didn't answer the call. It was completely random. Whilst having a conversation on this topic, I suspect that the number has been given to a wider group that just those who I have in my contact list, as there are times that I receive (but don't answer) calls from overseas, UK mainly.

          • Twix on 07/01/2022 - 23:21
            +1

            @savemore: Usually scammers get numbers from a database leak or auto calling random numbers until someone bites.

            Let your business manager know but they can't do anything about it. As long as the scammers don't port the work number to another telco provider you are fine. The scammers will move onto spoofing someone else's number.

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 07/01/2022 - 23:07
    +2

    What to do if your number is spoofed

    If you get calls from people saying your number is showing up on their caller ID, it's likely that your number has been maliciously spoofed.

    If you believe your number has been spoofed by a scammer, you should contact your telco immediately.

    Do not answer calls from unknown numbers and you can also place a message on your voicemail to alert callers that your number has been maliciously spoofed.

  • Sweet3st on 08/01/2022 - 00:12

    This happened to me recently. I got a call from my own number. Contacted Telstra who were less than useless.

    • RockyRaccoon on 08/01/2022 - 00:56
      +1

      what is it that you expected Telstra to do?

      • Sweet3st on 08/01/2022 - 09:35

        Advice from ACMA. If you believe your number has been spoofed by a scammer, you should contact your telco immediately.

  • Axelstrife on 08/01/2022 - 01:59
    +1

    Happened to me, someone called which I didn’t answer but I did text asking who it was and they said I called them just before which was impossible as it was sitting on my desk in front of me untouched so it wasn’t a pocket dial or anything like that.

  • Belistic on 08/01/2022 - 12:52

    Yep, I went through 2wks of people 'returning their missed call from my number'… 10 to 30 people a day.. .I ended up changing my voicemail to let people know, if I don't know them, I didn't call them and my number was used for spam.
    Lucky I tend not to answer my phone normally.. ha ha

  • lainey13 on 08/01/2022 - 23:11

    Yes it happenes to me. Returned a missed call who said they were returning MY call! Which I had never made. Someone spoofing my number which I have had since 2002 seems the most logical.

  • TransportPosters on 19/03/2023 - 21:39
    -1

    This is currently happening to me, been going on for the past 2 weeks. I hope it stops soon, I've had so many people calling me back because they missed my call.

    I've managed to ascertain from speaking to the victims that it's something to do with a payment - one of those scams where you can dispute the charge by giving your card number to get the funds back.

    I've spoken to the telco about this and they said the only solution to this is to change my number but that is obviously a huge hassle. Why they can't lock outgoing numbers to actual physical SIMs in 2023 is beyond me. They said I have the only SIM.

    I've been hoping they don't call anyone I actually know or any of my clients but today my number called someone I know professionally this morning on a Sunday at 7:48am WA time! Suggests they are based on the east coast where it's 2 to 3 hours ahead.

    • kerfuffle on 20/03/2023 - 07:23
      -1

      Why they can't lock outgoing numbers to actual physical SIMs in 2023

      Because it's 2023 and not everyone has an actual physical SIM?

      • TransportPosters on 20/03/2023 - 09:22
        -1

        Thanks for the education, learn something new everyday!

        Then I wish they could work out a way to only allow those who do have a physical SIM like me to be permitted to show as that actual number.

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