Dealing with Phone Spoofing: My Experience and What You Should Know

Recently, I encountered a troubling situation that many might find unsettling. I discovered that someone was sending texts to my contacts from my phone number—messages that I had not authored myself. The backdrop of this incident began during a Zoom group call with an old friend, who alerted me to the odd texts they received from my number. Instead of typical spam or scamming content, these messages seemed rather benign, filled with phrases like “new phone, who’s this?” Nonetheless, they included images that I recognized from various “troll” accounts on different platforms, raising my suspicion that someone was indeed playing a prank or testing the waters of my social connections.

With an increasing number of incidents involving number spoofing—an act where a scammer sends messages disguised as a legitimate number—I decided to delve deeper into the situation. Many assume that spoofed messages are generally for malicious purposes, but these didn’t fit the mold of a typical scam.

In my quest for answers, I documented the messages I received and shared my experience in a relevant forum at r/Verizon, hoping to find clarity from others who might have experienced similar issues. Fortunately, the community provided a wealth of insights.

After getting in touch with Verizon, I confirmed that the texts did not originate from their network. This revelation brought two possibilities to light: either my Apple ID had been compromised (which I promptly secured by changing my password), or my number was indeed being spoofed. To address the situation effectively, I reached out to the friend who received the odd messages and informed them of the circumstances. I also encouraged anyone else who might have been affected to contact me directly via phone or email.

As I reflect on my experience, I realize there are several key lessons to consider:

1. Stay Vigilant: If you start receiving unusual messages from friends or family, don’t hesitate to check in with them. They may be unaware that their phone number has been compromised.

2. Secure Your Accounts: Regularly update your passwords and consider implementing two-factor authentication wherever possible. This offers an additional layer of security that can deter unauthorized access.

3. Communicate Transparently: If you suspect that your number has been spoofed,