The City of San Antonio is alerting residents to be cautious of phone calls displaying “spoofed” City of San Antonio numbers. The City has received reports of residents receiving calls where the Caller ID falsely indicates that the call is originating from a City department.
Remember, the City of San Antonio will never ask you for payment via a phone call or to transfer money to a certain account.
What is Caller ID Spoofing?
Caller ID spoofing is a malicious practice where the caller intentionally alters the information transmitted to the recipient’s Caller ID display, disguising their identity. Scammers often employ neighbor spoofing, making it appear as if the call is coming from a local number, or they may spoof a number associated with a trusted company or government agency. Their goal is to deceive unsuspecting individuals into providing sensitive personal information or swindling them out of their hard-earned money.
To report malicious Caller ID spoofing or phone scams, residents can visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website. It is worth noting that scammers frequently change numbers, so it is highly likely that they will cease using the same number within a few hours.
The City remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of residents and urges everyone to stay vigilant against potential phone scams. If you believe you are a victim of a scam, please call the San Antonio Police Department’s nonemergency number at 210-207-7273, to make a police report.
Original source can be found here.
