It’s eerie, isn’t it?
You glance at your phone. Missed call. The number looks oddly familiar—same area code, even the first few digits match yours. For a second, you wonder, Is this someone I know? A neighbor? My own number?
Related Page: PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM COMMON SCAMS IN 2025
Then it hits you: It’s another spoofed call.
You’re not alone. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Americans received over 50 billion robocalls in a single year, and many of those came from spoofed numbers eerily similar to their own.
This isn’t a coincidence. It’s a tactic—and it has a name: Neighbor Spoofing
What Is “Neighbor Spoofing”?
This is the tactic behind those lookalike calls.
Neighbor spoofing is when robocallers and scammers manipulate the caller ID to display a number that closely resembles your own. They copy your area code and the first three digits (called the prefix), so it feels local and familiar.
It works because humans are more likely to answer a number that looks like it’s from their neighborhood. Maybe it’s your child’s school, a local business, or someone you know. Scammers are banking on that reflex.
Why Is This Happening?
Simple answer: It works.
The psychology is sneaky. A number that looks like yours creates just enough curiosity or urgency to make you pick up.
Let’s break down why this tactic is so successful:
1. Familiarity triggers trust.
We’re more likely to answer calls from local-looking numbers. This is especially true for people who work in sales, healthcare, or local business.
2. It bypasses filters.
Some spam blockers rely on lists of known scam numbers. Spoofing a number that looks like yours helps bypass those filters.
3. It’s cheap and easy to do.
Spoofing doesn’t require sophisticated tech. Software or even websites can do it in seconds. It’s shockingly easy.
4. They’re trying to avoid call-blocking algorithms.
Call filter systems are getting smarter—but if the number is similar to yours, it’s harder to auto-filter it as spam.
Who’s Doing This—and Why?
Scammers. Spammers. Robocallers. Survey pushers. Phishing attempts. Sometimes even marketers, but most often bad actors looking to:
- Steal personal information
- Get you to return the call (callback scam)
- Trick you into saying “yes” to record your voice for fraud
- Pose as government agencies or businesses
Let’s be real: If someone needs something important from you, they’ll leave a message. Most of these similar-number calls don’t.
What Happens If You Answer?
Here’s where things get interesting.
Scenario 1: Silence or Hang-Up.
The scammer confirms your number is “live.” Now, you’re officially on a suckers list. Expect more spam.
Scenario 2: Pre-recorded message.
“Your car’s extended warranty has expired.” Sound familiar? These robocalls can try to trick you into giving information or pressing buttons that lead to phishing.
Scenario 3: Social engineering.
Some are more sophisticated. A live person might pose as your bank, the IRS, or a utility company. These are the dangerous ones.
Tip: If someone calls claiming to be from a legit institution, hang up and call back using a verified number from their official site. Never trust inbound contact that you didn’t initiate.
Why Do They Use Numbers That Look Like Mine?
Two reasons: response rate and evasion.
The data backs it up. Spoofed calls using a familiar-looking number get answered far more often than random 1-800 or out-of-state calls.
Plus, carriers and blocking apps have made it harder for scammers to use obvious fake numbers. So now, they mimic yours. It’s a workaround.
They’re not targeting you specifically—they're targeting area codes and exchanges. You’re just caught in the geographic net.
What Can I Do to Stop It?
Here’s the meat. You want actionable steps, not vague suggestions.
1. Don’t Answer Unknown Numbers (Even If They Look Familiar)
Seriously. If it’s important, they’ll leave a voicemail.
Train yourself to ignore unfamiliar numbers—even if they look like a neighbor. One call answered encourages more calls later.
2. Block the Number Manually
If a spoofed number keeps calling, block it. Most phones make this easy:
- iPhone: Tap the “i” next to the number > Scroll down > Tap “Block this Caller”
- Android: Tap the number > Menu (⋮) > “Block number”
This won’t stop all spoofed calls, but it will stop that number.
3. Use a Call Blocking App or Carrier Feature
These apps and services are a game-changer.
Top call-blocking apps:
- Hiya
- Truecaller
- RoboKiller
- Nomorobo
Your mobile carrier also offers tools:
- AT&T ActiveArmor
- Verizon Call Filter
- T-Mobile Scam Shield
Most of these tools can auto-block likely spoofed calls or at least warn you before answering.
4. Report the Calls
You might think reporting doesn't help—but enough reports lead to FCC investigations.
File a complaint with:
- FTC’s National Do Not Call Registry
- FCC’s Unwanted Calls Complaint Tool
5. Don’t Call Back
This is critical.
Some spoofed calls are “one-ring” scams. You call back, and you're routed to a premium line—charging you by the minute.
Even if it’s a hang-up, don’t return the call.
Can Someone Actually Steal My Number?
Sort of.
Spoofers don’t hack your phone or steal your number permanently—but they can use your number to call other people. This is called number spoofing impersonation.
It’s possible someone else has received a spam call that looks like it came from your number. Scary, right?
If someone says, “Hey, I got a weird call from your number,” you’ve likely been spoofed yourself. It’s not your fault—and thankfully, it doesn’t mean your phone was hacked. But you can:
- Contact your carrier and explain the situation
- Add a note to your voicemail clarifying your number may be spoofed
- Use STIR/SHAKEN verification (more below)
What Is STIR/SHAKEN and How Does It Help?
These fancy acronyms refer to a technology framework mandated by the FCC to verify caller ID authenticity.
- STIR = Secure Telephony Identity Revisited
- SHAKEN = Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information Using toKENs
Basically, STIR/SHAKEN helps your phone carrier determine whether a call really came from the number displayed.
Most major carriers have implemented this tech, but it’s not perfect. Spoofers still find gaps—especially when routing calls through international systems.
But it’s a good step forward. If your carrier supports STIR/SHAKEN, make sure it’s enabled.
Will This Ever Go Away?
Short answer? Not completely. But there’s hope.
Call authentication tools are improving. Carriers are working with government agencies to track down violators. Fines are increasing.
But the arms race continues. As long as it’s cheap to spoof and profitable to scam, the calls will keep coming in waves.
Your best defense? Awareness. Prevention. And setting boundaries with your phone.
Final Thoughts
Getting calls from numbers that look like yours isn’t a fluke. It’s a calculated tactic used by scammers who understand human psychology better than we’d like to admit.
But now you understand it, too.
You know the “why,” the “how,” and the “what now.” That puts you ahead of the game.
So the next time your phone lights up with a number that starts off just like yours—take a beat. Let it go to voicemail. Check your call-blocking tools. And know you’re not the only one being targeted.
Smartphone. Smarter user.
