If you rely on caller ID to screen calls, you should be
aware that the number you see cannot always be trusted.
There are a few services available that let people choose
the caller id number that appears when they make a phone call.
Telemarketers and collections agencies are not allowed to
change their number, but some still do.
I share this secret because caller id spoofing is becoming
popular among fraudsters. You should be wary of any caller asking you for
something, especially money or personal information. If a caller claims to be
from your financial institution or another company that requires personal information,
ask them some information that confirms they are who they say they are. For
example, if it’s your cell phone company, ask them which calling plan you’re
on.
Here is some of the caller ID spoofing services:
- Phone Gangster www.phonegangster.com
- Spoofapp (for iPhone, BlackBerry or Android) www.spoofapp.com
- Spoofcard www.spoofcard.com
- Spooftel www.spooftel.com
Due to potential abuse of these services, the state of
Florida outlawed caller id spoofing services for a couple years, but that
decision was recently overturned. Others states are working on laws to make
them illegal, but for now, they are legal in all states.
There are some legitimate uses for this service. If your
profession requires that you make calls from home or cell, this service could
be used to show your office number instead of your personal number.
There is a cheaper option called *67. Dial that before you
dial a phone number and it blocks your number from being displayed for that
call — it’s free in most places.