Scammers Can Now Use Fake Caller ID Numbers
(From our anti-terrorism office on base).
Scammers Can Now Use Fake Caller ID Numbers: In a new phishing scam, con artists are using phony caller ID numbers to solicit personal
information and money. Thanks to the phony caller IDs, the "spoofers"
are able to convince victims that they're receiving a call from a bank
or credit card company -- and use this to acquire sensitive personal and financial information, or even money, from their victims. The "beauty" of this scam is that few people would ever think that the names and phone numbers appearing on their caller ID screens were not genuine.
What this means is that scammers are already using phony caller IDs and are posing as representatives of banks, credit card companies and
government agencies. The problem has reached the point where Senator
Bill Nelson from Florida is sponsoring legislation to ban the
transmission of false caller ID numbers. "A similar bill has already
sailed through the house," reports ABCnews.go.com. Unfortunately, ANYONE with Internet access and a few dollars can find a number of legal online services that supply fake caller ID numbers. Here at ScamBusters.org, just a few minutes of research revealed several services that tout the "benefits" of caller ID spoofing, including:
- Maintaining the privacy of your caller ID number.
- Changing your voice to sound like a male or female.
- Fooling friends and business associates (or business competitors).
One firm claims its technology is suited to individuals in certain
law-enforcement-related professions, while another advertises its
services as inexpensive, easy to use, and great for "business or fun."
Here are three tips that can help you avoid being scammed:
1) Don't assume that the information displayed on your phone, regarding who the caller is, is accurate -- now you know it can easily be spoofed.
2) Never give out personal or financial information over the phone
unless you know EXACTLY whom you're dealing with.
3) If you have doubts about who's on the phone, call back the main
number at your bank or credit card company rather than talking to the
person who calls you. The moral of the story is that -- at least for now
-- you can't trust caller ID to tell "the whole truth and nothing but
the truth." After all, scammers are always finding new ways to con
people. However, as long as you stay informed, you can remain one step
ahead of the scammers. And that's why we publish ScamBusters -- to help you know about scams in advance so you can protect yourself.
Source: http://www.scambusters.org/phishing.html
Scammers Can Now Use Fake Caller ID Numbers: In a new phishing scam, con artists are using phony caller ID numbers to solicit personal
information and money. Thanks to the phony caller IDs, the "spoofers"
are able to convince victims that they're receiving a call from a bank
or credit card company -- and use this to acquire sensitive personal and financial information, or even money, from their victims. The "beauty" of this scam is that few people would ever think that the names and phone numbers appearing on their caller ID screens were not genuine.
What this means is that scammers are already using phony caller IDs and are posing as representatives of banks, credit card companies and
government agencies. The problem has reached the point where Senator
Bill Nelson from Florida is sponsoring legislation to ban the
transmission of false caller ID numbers. "A similar bill has already
sailed through the house," reports ABCnews.go.com. Unfortunately, ANYONE with Internet access and a few dollars can find a number of legal online services that supply fake caller ID numbers. Here at ScamBusters.org, just a few minutes of research revealed several services that tout the "benefits" of caller ID spoofing, including:
- Maintaining the privacy of your caller ID number.
- Changing your voice to sound like a male or female.
- Fooling friends and business associates (or business competitors).
One firm claims its technology is suited to individuals in certain
law-enforcement-related professions, while another advertises its
services as inexpensive, easy to use, and great for "business or fun."
Here are three tips that can help you avoid being scammed:
1) Don't assume that the information displayed on your phone, regarding who the caller is, is accurate -- now you know it can easily be spoofed.
2) Never give out personal or financial information over the phone
unless you know EXACTLY whom you're dealing with.
3) If you have doubts about who's on the phone, call back the main
number at your bank or credit card company rather than talking to the
person who calls you. The moral of the story is that -- at least for now
-- you can't trust caller ID to tell "the whole truth and nothing but
the truth." After all, scammers are always finding new ways to con
people. However, as long as you stay informed, you can remain one step
ahead of the scammers. And that's why we publish ScamBusters -- to help you know about scams in advance so you can protect yourself.
Source: http://www.scambusters.org/phishing.html
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nothing beats the old answering machine sitting on the desk.
ring!
blaa blaa blaa.
click...........
review it and beeep!
or even better,
hello?
blblaa blaa?
you have the wrong number.
slam down the wall phone.0
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