A scam call may still be fake even when the caller knows the victim's correct national ID number. Police in Chenggong Township, Taitung County, recently received a report from a resident contacted by someone posing as a household registration official. The caller cited the correct ID number and falsely claimed that someone was using the resident's ID documents to change household registration.
The caller said a stranger had taken the resident's ID documents to a household registration office but left them at the counter and walked away. During the call, the scammer read out the correct ID number for verification, asked the resident to wait for further instructions and even suggested calling the police to verify the case, making the story appear credible.
The resident did not follow the instructions. After hanging up, they checked and found the ID documents were still with them and that they had never authorized anyone to change their household registration. The caller's number also appeared abnormal. Police later confirmed that the alleged registration change had never occurred.
The case shows that scammers may first obtain personal information such as a name and ID number before creating a false emergency involving household registration. Even when callers know accurate personal data or offer to help verify the case with police, this does not prove their identity.
If someone claiming to be a household registration official says your documents were used for registration procedures, hang up and find the agency's official contact information yourself. Do not call back or accept a transfer using a number provided by the caller, and do not provide additional personal or financial information. If still unsure, call the 165 Anti-Fraud Hotline.
