I have had my mobile number for many years. In the last few days I have
twice had phone calls from people who claim that I have just phoned
them, asking who I am. They sound annoyed, and it doesn't help that I
can't really describe "who I am" in any meaningful way. A member of the
public?

I suppose it means someone is spoofing my mobile phone number as part of
some sort of dodgy scam, but I can't see what I can do to stop this. Has
anyone else experienced this problem? Can it result in me being out of
pocket?

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On 25 Feb 2025 at 15:29:26 GMT, "The Todal" <[email protected]> wrote:

I have had my mobile number for many years. In the last few days I have
twice had phone calls from people who claim that I have just phoned
them, asking who I am. They sound annoyed, and it doesn't help that I
can't really describe "who I am" in any meaningful way. A member of the public?

I suppose it means someone is spoofing my mobile phone number as part of
some sort of dodgy scam, but I can't see what I can do to stop this. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Can it result in me being out of pocket?

I am pretty sure network providers don't use presentation numbers (which can legitimately be changed) for deciding on who to charge for an incoming call (when a charge applies). So unless it is actually due to mistake by your network (unlikely?) I don't think there is any risk of you being charged for premium rate calls.

I am not an expert though.

I don't think using misleading presentation numbers is policed much, but perhaps someone can tell us of any useful complaints procedure.

--

Roger Hayter

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On 25/02/2025 15:29, The Todal wrote:

I have had my mobile number for many years. In the last few days I have
twice had phone calls from people who claim that I have just phoned
them, asking who I am. They sound annoyed, and it doesn't help that I
can't really describe "who I am" in any meaningful way. A member of the public?

If whoever is doing it does it a lot then your personal phone number
could end up on a probably a spammer blacklist. You might want to look
your own number up on Who calls me or similar:

https://www.energy-storage.news/fire-at-statera-bess-project-in-england-brought-under-control-handed-back-to-site-management/

It might give you some insight into what your Doppleganger is selling.

I suppose it means someone is spoofing my mobile phone number as part of
some sort of dodgy scam, but I can't see what I can do to stop this. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Can it result in me being out of pocket?

I thought they (Offcom?) were supposed to be making it harder for bad
guys to spoof phone numbers or was that in some alternative universe?

They have finally got around to banning possession and sale of fancy
radio equipment whose only use is for stealing very expensive cars.

--
Martin Brown

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On 25/02/2025 15:29, The Todal wrote:

I have had my mobile number for many years. In the last few days I have
twice had phone calls from people who claim that I have just phoned
them, asking who I am. They sound annoyed, and it doesn't help that I
can't really describe "who I am" in any meaningful way. A member of the public?

I suppose it means someone is spoofing my mobile phone number as part of
some sort of dodgy scam, but I can't see what I can do to stop this. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Can it result in me being out of pocket?

I had a couple of similar experiences a few years ago. I just asked them
to block my number. No more problems.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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On 25/02/2025 16:09, Roger Hayter wrote:

On 25 Feb 2025 at 15:29:26 GMT, "The Todal" <[email protected]> wrote:

I have had my mobile number for many years. In the last few days I have
twice had phone calls from people who claim that I have just phoned
them, asking who I am. They sound annoyed, and it doesn't help that I
can't really describe "who I am" in any meaningful way. A member of the
public?

I suppose it means someone is spoofing my mobile phone number as part of
some sort of dodgy scam, but I can't see what I can do to stop this. Has
anyone else experienced this problem? Can it result in me being out of
pocket?

I am pretty sure network providers don't use presentation numbers (which can legitimately be changed) for deciding on who to charge for an incoming call (when a charge applies). So unless it is actually due to mistake by your network (unlikely?) I don't think there is any risk of you being charged for premium rate calls.

I am not an expert though.

I don't think using misleading presentation numbers is policed much, but perhaps someone can tell us of any useful complaints procedure.

I'm surprised it goes on:

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/scam-calls-and-messages/updating-cli-guidance-to-tackle-scam-calls/
"We have decided to give providers six months to implement the
changes. Therefore, the updated CLI Guidance will come into effect from
29 January 2025".

I knew changes were being implemented but on reading this I believe it's
more about country codes.

I did read that spoofing a number has been used to take over a phone
line onto a new SIM card; where caller ID was sufficient to prove
identity. But when I have changed mobile providers also require
additional verification like a PIN in a SMS.

What can be done is suggest to those calling Todal report the number to
their provider, where the source can be determined, or at least the
telecom provider. Of course, someone could have been using his phone?

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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On 25/02/2025 15:29, The Todal wrote:

I have had my mobile number for many years. In the last few days I have
twice had phone calls from people who claim that I have just phoned
them, asking who I am. They sound annoyed, and it doesn't help that I
can't really describe "who I am" in any meaningful way. A member of the public?

I suppose it means someone is spoofing my mobile phone number as part of
some sort of dodgy scam, but I can't see what I can do to stop this. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Can it result in me being out of pocket?

Thanks, everyone!

One online suggestion was (on an iphone) go to Settings, Screen Time, Communication Limits and replace "everyone" with "Contacts Only".

I tried this and the only obvious effect was that I could no longer ring Voicemail to retrieve my voicemail. So I had to undo that change.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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On 26/02/2025 17:47, Roger Hayter wrote:

On 26 Feb 2025 at 17:23:28 GMT, "Max Demian" <[email protected]> wrote:

On 26/02/2025 15:58, David wrote:

On 26/02/2025 14:43, Jon Ribbens wrote:

There could be an exception would be where a UK company has an overseas
call centre.

Why? They're still abroad?

Yes. The number they must present when they call you is entirely separate from
having a UK (perhaps free) number to call them.

There is nothing stopping such a company routing its calls over the
internet to a UK gateway.

Andy


--
Do not listen to rumour, but, if you do, do not believe it.
Ghandi.

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