BIRMINGHAM, AL (WIAT)---Caller ID seems reliable, but police want you to know, it's not always accurate.

Thanks to a scam called 'spoofing,' con artists can pretend to call from any number they choose, gain your trust, then request your personal information over the phone.  If you comply, they can steal your identity.

"If someone has your social security number, that's the keys to the kingdom for identity theft.  You could have someone create new accounts on your behalf, you could have someone use that to prove your identity to change your address on an account you may have,” said Gary Warner, Director of Research of Computer Forensics at UAB.

So how can you protect yourself?  Never assume someone is who they claim to be.  If they really need your information, you can always call them back at their established number.  That way, you know who's answering.