Australians lost A$107.2M to phone scams in 2024 (NASC), and caller ID can be faked to show any number, including a real bank’s (FCC). A number alone can’t prove a call is genuine, but it can raise red flags.
Free ways to check
- Paste it into our free scam phone number checker for country, line type and user reports.
- Search the full number in quotes, with and without the country code.
- Compare it with the official number on the company’s website or your card.
Red flags
- One ring from an international number (possible premium-rate “Wangiri” callback scam).
- A caller asking for a code sent by SMS, remote access to your computer, or payment by gift card or crypto.
- “Hi Mum/Dad, this is my new number.”
- Pressure to stay on the line or keep it secret.
Report it
More: how to tell if a call is a scam.
Questions
Can a scam call show a real company’s number?
Yes. Caller ID can be spoofed to show any number, including your bank’s, so always call back on a number you find yourself.
Is it safe to answer and say nothing?
Answering is usually low-risk, but don’t press buttons, confirm your name or say “yes”. Hang up and call the organisation back on a number you trust.
Check the number now
Our free scam phone checker shows the number’s country and line type and whether other people have reported it.
Check a number free7 signs a call is a scamMore guides
- What is DMARC and do I need it?
- How to stop someone spoofing your email domain
- Lookalike domain examples
- Fake invoice email scams: how to spot one
- Hacked Facebook business page: what to do
- All guides
General information only, not legal or financial advice. ImposterWatch is operated by Cloud Investments FZE (UAE) and is not a background check or private investigator service.