Is a call appearing to come from my own phone number a scam?
Yes. Scammers spoof your own number to try to confuse you or trick you into answering. Never trust any caller simply because the display matches your own number.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Receiving a call from your own mobile number is a caller ID spoofing technique. Scammers exploit gaps in phone network authentication to display any number they choose — including yours. The motivation is usually to confuse you into answering a call you would otherwise ignore, or to test that a spoofing tool is working before targeting others. Sometimes the person on the line claims your number has been 'hacked' or 'used for criminal activity' and offers to 'fix' the problem for a fee. No one can make calls from your number without physical access to your device, and a genuine network security issue would be handled by your carrier — not by a caller from your own number asking for payment.
Common red flags
- Incoming call display shows your own number
- Caller claims your phone number has been used for fraud
- Caller offers to resolve the issue if you provide personal details or pay a fee
- Urgency: police are on their way unless you act now
What to do now
- Hang up — do not engage or provide any information
- If concerned, call your mobile carrier from a different line to ask about any real account issues
- Report the call to your national fraud reporting service
- Do not call the number back — it may connect to a premium-rate line
Frequently asked questions
Can my number be permanently blocked from being spoofed?
Carriers can apply STIR/SHAKEN call authentication to flag spoofed calls, but this technology is not universally deployed. Reporting spoofing incidents to your carrier can help them flag the activity.