Mobile Number Cloned

Be_Happy

Not sure whether this should have been here or on some other board, but here goes.

Early this morning my sister phoned me (on landline) to say she'd had a call from my mobile number, but no one on line.   My mobile was switched off overnight and hadn't been switched on again, or when I did check it, made any calls at this time.  I very seldom give out mobile number as I only use it if expecting to make or receive calls while away from home and only give out the number to family or sources that I know are reliable.

I understand about numbers being 'cloned' but don't know whether these numbers are chosen randomly electronically or whether the number has been set up as one available for cloning?  Does this mean that access has been gained to my contact list?   (No other contact has mentioned this, so far)

I really don't want to be forced to change my number as it is very easy to remember and is used by elderly family members to contact me.

DE_612183

I thought this was pretty hard to do as you need access to the IMEI number of the phone, of course I guess you could have been hacked and the conatcts and number stolen, and you provider could have issued a new SIM - I would suggest you contact your provider asap ad let them know - however a bar on that number and a new one may be the only resolution.

Browntoa

Numbers can be spoofed 

It may not be cloned


https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/scams/phone-spoof-scam

Be_Happy

Thanks Browntoa.   I should have used the word 'spoofed', not 'cloned'.

The link was very interesting and I'll refer back to it if anyone else contacts me to say I've called them.

flaneurs_lobster

If your mobile is still working then your number hasn't been moved to a new SIM so your number is still under your control. As @Browntoa says, spoofing a phone number (or an email address) is possible.

P1Fanatic

It's a bit weird to spoof a number of a family member, call another family member and do / say nothing. But I can see how that would get your guard up. Maybe worth reporting to your provider (and your daughters). Although knowing how much interest they normally take towards phishing txts etc I doubt they will do anything.

The_Unready

About a year ago I was called on my mobile a couple of times by a number I didn't recognise - I didn't answer the calls. On the second occasion the caller left a voicemail which was basically asking me why I was randomly calling her on her mobile and then not speaking or leaving messages.

Obviously it wasn't me who had been calling her, and it sounds like my number had been spoofed as well.

I presume that the 'spoofer' eventually stopped using that number, and I've not had any problems since.

Be_Happy

Thanks for all the feedback.  I've even checked my mobile account on line and no calls recorded for my number so will just have to wait and see if anything else odd happens.