Fraudsters are using "number spoofing" to fool people into revealing their passwords

Criminals clone the phone number of the organisation they want to impersonate so it appears on the victim's caller ID display

Criminals are using a new scam to make people believe they are speaking to a trusted organisation – like a bank – by fooling their phones into displaying any number the fraudster chooses.

Known as "number spoofing", it works by fraudsters cloning the phone number of the organisation they want to impersonate so it appears on the victim's caller ID display when they phone them.

The criminal will then draw their attention to the number, claiming this is proof of identity. Once they have their victim's confidence they will try to extract information such as a PIN or online passwords and use these to steal from their account.

Never assume someone is who they say they are just because their number matches that of an organisation you know. In fact, if someone tries to draw your attention to the number on your caller ID display, you should immediately become suspicious.

Similarly, you should be suspicious if you're asked for your four-digit PIN, your full online-banking passwords, to transfer or withdraw money, or to give your card to a courier. Your bank or the police will never ask you to do any of these things.