Caller ID Spoofing Could Mean Identity Theft For Victims
Caller ID is meant to keep the recipient of the call safe by revealing the phone number of the caller.
But crooks are using this safety feature to their advantage—by signing on with services that disguise their phone number and even, in some cases, the voice. For about $10 an hour, a con artist can potentially receive very profitable returns by stealing identifying information on any number of unsuspecting individuals.
And amazingly, though ID theft is obviously a crime, these call spoofing services are legal in every state in the U.S. except one.
The Governor’s Wife Gets a Phone Call
ABC News recently reported on a call spoofing spree that affected hundreds of Lancaster, PA residents.
A few were either fooled or were on the verge of giving away information, including, incredibly, the mayor’s wife, Gail Gray.
And the bold crooks nearly got away with it, according to Mrs.Gray. Posing as a local bank, the callers demanded that she reveal information to them.
“It threw a scare into me initially,” Mrs. Gray told ABC News. “It’s like they knew they had a bite on the line and they were ready to hook one.”
A Psychological Game
Mrs. Gray was more right than even she may know. Generally, call spoofers are practiced con artists who have spent time honing their persuasive skills.
Relying on false familiarity (posing as a known bank, a credit card company or even the IRS), call spoofers first establish that they are someone the caller “knows”–or feels he should know–then assume a highly professional tone while fishing for personal information.
Pushing people’s buttons during an economic time in which fear of money loss is rampant, a call spoofer may attempt to frighten his victim by saying there has been a security breach and that he or she must verify certain data.
Alternately, phone con artists may take a more friendly tone, even posing as well-known charities, particularly those that involve children or animals, as these tend to get at people’s emotions quickly.
Be Wise to the Game
Currently, there are no laws against Caller ID spoofing services in any state except Florida. Therfore, most people in the U.S. will want to be aware that the method exists, and know how to combat it.
First, NEVER give information such as your account number, Social Security number, driver’s license number or mother’s maiden name over the phone.
No matter who the caller says he or she is, and no matter how “urgent” the “situation,” calmly say you wish to take down the information and call the company back.
Most crooks will hang up at this point, but some will go ahead and give you a phone number. These can be temporary, “rented” numbers—even if they are toll-free—so look up the number of the establishment yourself.
If the phone number doesn’t match the number you’ve been given, call the actual establishment and advise them of the call you’ve received. Ask whether the warning you’ve been given is true. If it is, go into the bank yourself—do NOT give the information over the phone regardless.
Get in the habit of staying calm, assessing a situation and following through in person no matter what. Never feel pressured to give out your personal information in this manner. Remind yourself that no reputable bank or credit card company would demand personal information in this manner…and then hang up the phone.
