'Scammers appear to have spoofed my number'
Dear Which?,
I recently received a really random text message. It said ‘mediterranean vegetables with chicken and rice’ – all in lower case.
My first thought was just to treat it as spam, delete and ignore it. Then I recognised the sender number – it was my number, texting my phone! I only have one phone.
I was worried that others in my contact book may have received this text, which appeared to be from me, so I checked with a few contacts – thankfully they hadn’t.
My next thought was to try to block the sender, but I’m not sure if by doing that I’d block my own number, or register it as threat to my network provider.
Has anyone else had something like this happen? Is it safe to block and report? I’m worried that whoever sent it might send more messages.
Name and address supplied
Sign up for scam alerts
Our emails will alert you to scams doing the rounds, and provide practical advice to keep you one step ahead of fraudsters.
Sign up for scam alerts
Faye Lipson, Which? senior researcher, says:
This is one of the most bizarre cases we’ve ever seen. One thing seems likely: that it involves ‘number spoofing’, where scammers are able to display a false caller ID to prevent any comeback for their crimes.
Scammers have been known to spoof the numbers of legitimate organisations as well as UK mobiles.
The banal nature of the message could indicate a scam attempt. Scammers have been known to text innocuous things in an attempt to initiate a conversation with the curious recipient.
What I’m less clear on is why your own number was used – is it sheer coincidence, or a deliberate attempt to pique your interest? The onward journey of the scam is also unclear, but you might later receive a message with a link.
I spoke to a cybersecurity expert who speculated about a second step in which scammers could later call you posing as your network, to trick you into divulging your details.
Ofcom noted that it has seen cases where scammers have spoofed the same or a similar number to increase the chances of getting a response. The theory behind this is that it's more likely that you would engage with a message or call if you recognised the number.
Neither that expert, nor Ofcom, nor industry body Mobile UK knew what would happen if you blocked your own number, so hold off.
If you receive more messages, contact your network provider for help using the telephone number found on a recent bill. You should also be extra vigilant regarding any calls, messages or emails claiming to be from trusted organisations.
