My Number is Being Spoofed: What Should I Do?
Recently, I encountered a perplexing situation that left me feeling vulnerable and concerned for my privacy. It all started during a group Zoom call with an old friend, who shared that they had been receiving strange messages from what appeared to be my number. These texts weren’t scams or phishing attempts, but rather, they were casual inquiries like “new phone, who’s this?”
To my surprise, the messages were accompanied by photos that I recognized from various “troll” accounts found across different platforms. This raised a red flag for me; it seemed likely that someone was spoofing my number, engaging in this bizarre scenario just to see how others would react. I have documented the content of the messages and shared them on a post in the r/Verizon subreddit for further assistance.
I’m seeking advice from anyone who might have insights into addressing this situation. My phone is essential for professional communications, and I need it to remain secure.
Update on the Situation
Thanks to everyone who offered their thoughts and suggestions! I reached out to Verizon for clarification, and they confirmed that these texts are not being sent through their network. This led me to consider two possibilities: either my Apple ID has been compromised (which I have since changed), or I’m indeed facing a spoofing incident.
I took the initiative to inform my affected friend about the situation and urged them, as well as others who might be impacted, to contact me directly via call or email for clarification. While I hope this situation can be resolved, I remain cautious.
Additional Context
In response to some inquiries, I’d like to add that this odd texting incident seems to have only affected that particular friend last September. Living in a remote area since March due to the pandemic means my interactions have been limited, primarily to family and a few older colleagues—none of whom have the technical know-how to engage in this kind of mischief.
I don’t believe this is an outright hacking attempt, as sending messages like “I’ve been hacked” seems counterproductive for a hacker. Regardless, I’m taking proactive steps by contacting my bank and considering removing this number from my accounts to avoid any potential issues.
If anyone else has faced a similar situation or has advice on further actions I should take, I would greatly appreciate your input!
Share this content:
