The AARP Fraud Watch Network is reporting a trend in “caller ID spoofing.”

It’s crooks who call pretending to be someone they’re not, often a company or agency, to steal from you.

When they call, a fake name and number shows up on your caller ID. Scammers have mastered technology that enables them to get phony names and numbers on the caller ID.

“The call will seem urgent,” according to the AARP. The caller could say your account “is about to be canceled unless you immediately give your bank information or credit card number for payment.”

The call is not your bank, your credit card company or anyone else; scammers are trying to steal your identify and assets.

“Never give out personal information via an incoming phone call,” recommends the AARP. “You never know who is actually on the line.”

Don’t answer the phone, experts recommend. Screen your calls and let it go to voicemail. Then verify the call yourself, looking up the number independently, calling the agency or company and ask if they called.

Report scams to local law enforcement. Contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork for more information and fraud prevention.