Who Called Me? The 2026 Guide to Unknown Numbers

Receiving a call from an unknown number in Singapore can be unsettling. Is it a delivery driver, a job recruiter or another “+65” scammer impersonating ICA, Singpass, or your bank?

In 2026, that split second of hesitation matters more than ever. With number spoofing, robocalls, and AI-generated scam voices now common, this is no longer just curiosity — it’s about protecting yourself.

If you're wondering:

• who called me from this number Singapore

• whose number is this

• check phone number Singapore

you are in the right place.

This guide explains how Singaporeans can safely and legally check unknown phone numbers, verify suspicious calls, and avoid scams.

📞 Who Called Me From This Number in Singapore?

When an unfamiliar number appears on your phone, only 2 things matter:

1. Who is calling

2. Whether it is safe

In Singapore today, you cannot rely on the phone number alone. Scammers can spoof legitimate-looking local numbers, including Singapore +65 numbers, to impersonate banks, courier companies or government agencies.

That is why identifying a caller safely is more important than simply calling back.

🤔 Why Am I Getting Calls From Unknown Numbers?

Not every unfamiliar call is suspicious. Many legitimate organisations do not appear in your contact list, including:

• Courier and delivery services

• Banks returning missed calls

• Clinics and hospitals

• Job recruiters

• Government agencies

However, scammers also rely heavily on phone calls to run:

• Fake police or ICA investigations

• Bank fraud impersonation

• Investment and loan scams

• Singpass or telco suspension threats

Because scammers can make calls look local, you should never judge a call by its number alone.

🔍 How to read Singapore Phone Numbers

Understanding how Singapore numbers are structured helps you make quick judgments.

🚨 Is This Number a Scam?

The Singapore government offers ScamShield, a national anti-scam programme supported by the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), Singapore Police Force (SPF), and GovTech.

What is ScamShield?

• A free mobile app that filters and blocks known scam calls and messages

• An official website to submit suspicious numbers, links and messages

• A 24-hour ScamShield Helpline at 1799 for advice and verification

 

How ScamShield helps?

• If a number matches known scam patterns, the app may warn or block it

• Reports from the public are reviewed to improve future scam detection

• If your number is wrongly flagged, you can call 1799 for help

 

Get it from the app store or visit scamshield.gov.sg

🔍 Best Ways to Check a Phone Number in Singapore

There is no single government “directory lookup” in Singapore where you can enter a phone number and see the owner’s personal details. This is because personal phone numbers are protected under Singapore’s data-protection and privacy laws.

However, you can still use reverse phone lookup methods to check whether a number is linked to a real business, a known scam, or a nuisance caller.

What is reverse phone lookup or phone number lookup?

A reverse phone number lookup, also called a phone number lookup, is when you enter a phone number into a search tool to see what information is publicly or community-linked to it. This is the reverse of traditional phone books, where you searched for a person’s number using their name.

In Singapore, reverse phone lookup does not reveal private ownership details. Instead, it helps you find out whether a number has been reported as a scam, linked to a company, or commonly identified as spam.

1. Caller ID Apps (Truecaller, WhoCalledSG)

   These community-driven apps identify callers by comparing them against a global database of user-submitted names. If many people mark a number as “telemarketer” or “scam”, you will see that.

   
   These tools do not verify identities. They only reflect how the public has tagged a number, so use them as a reference rather than proof.

    

2. Google Search

   Enter the full 8-digit number with the word “Singapore” into Google.

   Many legitimate organisations publish their phone numbers online, including banks, hospitals, clinics, courier companies and government agencies. If the number belongs to a real organisation, it will often appear on an official website or directory.

   This is one of the safest forms of reverse phone lookup.
   

🕵️‍♂️ What Should I Do When an Unknown Number Calls?

😱 What If I Answered a Scam Call?

Scammers usually:

• Pretend to be from ICA, Police, banks or Singpass

• Claim there is suspicious activity

• Ask for verification, OTPs or transfers

One rule always applies:

The Singapore Police, government agencies and banks will never ask for passwords, OTPs or money transfers over the phone.

If in doubt:

• Hang up

• Call the organisation using the official hotline on its website

❌ How to Reduce Unwanted Calls

1. Block Suspicious Numbers

If the call is confirmed to be spam or a scam, block the number on your phone so it cannot reach you again.

⚠️ But remember:

Blocking only applies to calls & SMS.
Scammers can still reach you via WhatsApp or Telegram unless you block them there too.

2. Register for the Do Not Call Registry (DNC)

If you’re getting telemarketing calls:

The DNC legally stops companies from marketing to you via calls, SMS or fax.

• Free

• Permanent

• Covers mobile and home lines

Register at: dnc.gov.sg

🛡️ Stronger Defence with Caller Number Display

Scammers rely on one thing: you answering before you think.

Caller Number Display removes that advantage. By showing you the incoming number, it lets you decide in seconds - whether to pick up, ignore, or check it first.

When paired with ScamShield and simple number checks, it becomes one of the easiest and most effective ways to stay in control of who reaches you.

Most unknown calls are harmless. But when one isn’t, seeing the number first can stop a costly mistake.

Turn on Caller Number Display, and make every call one you choose to answer.

Sure, some of these phone numbers might just be friends and family whose contacts we’ve actually forgotten to save, but joke as we might, if you suspect actual criminal activity is involved, please do not hesitate to refer the matter to the Police. Stay alert, and stay safe.

Disclaimer:
This content is provided for general information and convenience. While we take care in preparing our articles, readers should refer to official sources or professional advice for specific, up-to-date details.