Caller ID spoofing alert: Displayed number on screen may not reflect the true caller

According to cybersecurity expert Ngo Minh Hieu (Hiếu PC), this is a highly sophisticated scam technique that can lead victims to lose money in their accounts if they are not vigilant. 'The number displayed on the screen may not be the actual number calling,' Hiếu PC emphasized. The cybersecurity expert explains that this is a technique of spoofing the displayed phone number (Caller ID Spoofing). In this scheme, the caller does not necessarily use their real number when making the call, but can spoof another number, which will appear on the recipient's phone screen. In practice, some telecom regulators worldwide have clearly warned that criminals can make the screen display any number or name to create trust. Hiếu PC further analyzes that technically a call typically has a real path through the telecom network and a displayed caller ID; these two parts can be identical or different. Some regulators describe this as the difference between the number used in the network and the number shown on the screen. Therefore, seeing the bank's number, a staff member's name, or a customer's number on the screen is not sufficient to verify the caller's identity. This scam often exploits VoIP platforms, internet-based voice transmission rather than traditional telephone networks. In such cases, instead of the actual number, the call is generated from an intermediary system. Hiếu PC stresses that if the number ownership verification step is lax or abused, it can lead to Caller ID spoofing. According to VoIP technical documentation, outgoing calls typically have a caller ID that is announced and a destination number; there is a mechanism that declares the number that will appear on-screen. This is why, in practice, calls can appear to come from familiar numbers even though the true source is different. According to Hiếu PC, this form of fraud is very dangerous because users often trust the number shown and are easily deceived. The criminals may impersonate a bank, a police agency, or a customer service representative, and then craft scenarios such as 'your account has a problem,' 'there has been a fraudulent transaction,' or 'your card has been blocked'... Then, they rush the victim to act immediately, without delay, asking to hold the line, not to hang up, and to transfer money to 'protect your funds' or request verification codes, OTP, card details, or passwords. Hiếu PC emphasizes: 'Anyone who calls and asks for a verification code is always a scam. Calls impersonating banks or anti-fraud departments often create a story like 'the account has an issue' to lure victims to take action.' What people should do to avoid the trap? According to Hiếu PC, people should distinguish the call content to avoid scams. When receiving an unexpected call or when suspicion arises, people should not answer questions that could cause them to confirm details, especially questions that require a 'yes' or 'no' answer. Also, do not provide personal information such as account numbers, national ID numbers, passwords, card details, OTPs, or any identifying data. If someone claims to be a company representative or a government agency, hang up and call back using official numbers from bank statements, the official website, or legitimate contact channels to verify. In practice, legitimate entities usually publish an official notice in writing or via other authentication channels rather than cold calls pressuring action. Most importantly, according to Hiếu PC, people should not rely on the displayed number to decide who is calling; the content of the call matters: Is there pressure? Is there a request for a verification code? Is there a request for money transfer?