YOUR BANK IS ON THE DISPLAY. BUT WHO IS REALLY CALLING?
The number looks familiar, the caller knows your name and says it is urgent. The essential check comes after you end the call.
There is a problem with your account and you must act immediately. A familiar number appears on screen, making the request seem credible. But the displayed sender can be forged: this is spoofing, and it can affect calls, texts and email.
Caller ID is not proof of identity
The Bank of Italy explains that criminals can disguise a contact’s origin and impersonate your bank. Knowing your name or personal details does not prove a caller is genuine. Apparent familiarity becomes particularly dangerous when combined with urgency.
Three requests that should make you stop
• Sharing passwords, PINs, access codes or authorisation codes.
• Moving money as part of a supposed security operation requested over the phone.
• Opening a link or installing software because the caller says it is urgent.
End the call. Contact the bank using a number independently verified on its official website or your own documents. Do not use the link or number supplied by the suspicious caller.
Filters help, but do not authenticate everyone
On 12 October, AGCOM reported that anti-spoofing filters had blocked around 191 million international calls with forged Italian or non-compliant numbers during the first eight months of 2026. This measures filtering activity; it does not establish that every call reaching you is safe.
If you shared information or notice an unfamiliar payment
Contact the bank immediately through official channels and ask for the protective measures appropriate to your account and payment instruments. Keep messages, numbers, times and transaction details for reporting the incident.
Follow your bank’s procedure to dispute payments you believe were unauthorised. A refund depends on the circumstances and is not automatic. The Bank of Italy guidance linked below also explains possible next steps.
A sentence to keep ready
I will contact my bank myself. You do not need to argue with the caller: hang up and verify. Share that simple approach with someone you care about.
