The caller ID showed my bank. It wasn't my bank.

Caller ID showed my bank’s name and even a local branch code, so I assumed the fraud alert call was genuine.

Spoofing made a stranger look like my institution.

They described a suspicious transfer and asked me to read one-time codes aloud to “block” it.

I complied until a second payment prompt appeared that I had not initiated.

Caller ID spoofing is cheap; OTP codes plus urgency empty accounts.

The bank had not placed the call I answered.

While they talked I trusted the display more than the rule that banks never ask for codes on an inbound call.

I hung up, called the number on my card from another phone, and fraud said no alert was open on my file—that was the proof the first line was fake.

I lost money before I hung up; disputes took weeks and I still flinch when the phone rings.

I never trust caller ID.

I hang up and dial the bank on a number I look up myself.

• Caller ID can be faked—always call back using official numbers from your card or app.
• Never read SMS or app codes to someone who called you.

For more help, see our Report a scam page and Spot and avoid scams guide.