Mobile Phone number 'Spoofed'

[ClosetotheEdge]

Hi, 

I expect this is a pointless post but I would like to add my experience to those who have already posted about  some @@%"$^* who is using or "Spoofing" their number.  It's extremely annoying as well as worrying for both those who receive mysterious unanswered calls and for me, when someone calls to say that they had a missed call from my number!  I also feel a sense of guilt yet it's out of my control and it appears nothing can be done about it!?

I presume the only option is to change my mobile number which I am extremely reluctant to do - assuming it's even possible without additional costs?

Has anyone had success in reporting this to either O2 or the relevant phone regulators? 

Also, what is the point of it?  Why ring and just hang up on random people with someone else's phone number?    

Cheers for any positive help or advice.

John 

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

@ClosetotheEdge 

OFCON investigation https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/scam-calls-and-messages/phone-spoof-scam/

Free number change but you could be unlucky again Guide: How to change your mobile number 

They do it to display a plausible number to encourage people to answer their calls. Many people ignore withheld numbers and it also means the scammers are untraceable.