You receive a call that appears to come from a real business. Perhaps the number matches the company’s website. Unfortunately, caller ID can be spoofed, so a matching number does not necessarily mean the business placed the call.
How spoofing affects phone numbers
Some calling systems can transmit misleading caller ID information. Fraudsters may imitate banks, government agencies, delivery companies, or local businesses. The real number owner may have no connection to the call.
Why this matters for reports
If a suspicious call appears under a business’s number, avoid publicly accusing that business without evidence. The displayed number may have been used without its owner’s permission. A number can also change ownership over time.
How to verify
Do not give an unexpected caller sensitive information. End the call and contact the organization using the number on its official website, app, card, or statement. Explain the call and ask whether it was genuine.
Use phone-number reports carefully
CallCheck.ca can help you look for reports linked to a displayed number. Consider the date, description, and whether multiple reports describe the same behaviour. Community reports are useful clues, but they cannot conclusively identify a caller.
If you were targeted
Contact your bank or service provider if you shared credentials or payment details. Report suspected fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Save messages and call records in case they are needed.
The important distinction is between the number displayed and the person who actually placed the call. Verify the organization independently before trusting a request or blaming a number’s owner.