How to Protect Yourself from Caller ID Spoofing and Spam Calls

Caller ID spoofing is when a caller deliberately changes the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity, sometimes for unethical reasons.

Read on for some helpful tips on protecting yourself from caller ID spoofing or spam calls.

Fraudulent Cantonese and Mandarin calls impersonating Fido

Please be aware some Fido customers are reporting receiving fraudulent calls in Cantonese and Mandarin stating that their account will be shut down and asking for account info. This message is not from Fido.

General safety and prevention tips

Keep these in mind for your protection while using your home or mobile phone.

Don’t give away your personal information.
If you do answer a call from an unknown number, ask for a number you can call them back on.
Don’t call back or answer calls from unknown numbers.
If the call is at all suspicious, it is probably is a scam.
If they say they are calling regarding one of your accounts, do not hesitate to ask for further information and call the firm back through the firm’s general switchboard number.
Be aware that a Caller ID showing a “local” number no longer means it is necessarily a local caller. If the caller claims to be from a legitimate company or organization, hang up and call them back using a valid number found on their website or on your latest bill if you do business with them.
If you answer and the caller (often a recording) asks you to press a button to stop receiving calls, or asks you to say “yes” in response to a question, just hang up. Scammers often use these tricks to identify, and then target, live respondents, or to use your “yes” to apply unauthorized charges to your bill.
If you answer and the caller asks for payment using a gift card, it’s likely a scam. Legitimate organizations like law enforcement will not ask for payment with a gift card.
If you have lost money as a result of a scam call, contact your local law enforcement agency for assistance.
Use caution if you are being pressured for information immediately.

Protecting against caller ID spoofing and spam calls

Below are some ways you can prevent caller ID spoofing and spam calls, or handle them if they occur.

Wireless

Spam Call Detect is a feature included in all Fido Mobile plans with Name Display. With Spam Call Detect, you’ll be able to see if incoming calls could be fraud or spam. Learn more about this feature here.

CRTC Resources

Register with the National Do Not Call List (DNCL). This will reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive.
File a complaint about any call you received that violated one of the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules.

For additional information and resources, visit crtc.gc.ca/eng/phone/telemarketing