What can I do if someone is using my phone number to make fraudulent calls (spoofing)?

In an effort to conceal their true identity and origin, telemarketers from overseas sometimes “spoof” their telephone number by displaying fictitious phone numbers when making calls.

“Spoofing” consists of altering the caller ID to show a different number than the one actually being used for making the telephone call. This is frequently done to mislead the person receiving the telephone call into believing that the call is either local, or from a trusted organization. Sometimes illegitimate telemarketers may even spoof their number to match the telephone number of the person being called, or use another person’s legitimate number. These spoofed calls originate from outside of Cogeco’s network.

If you receive a telemarketing call with a spoofed caller ID or a call you feel is fraudulent, you can report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501 or by visiting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.