For a while now I have been getting
calls from numbers that are very similar to mine in that they have
the same area code and even have the next 3 numbers the same. I
usually do not answer calls I am not expecting from numbers I do not
recognize so I just let them ring.
I noticed I kept getting calls like
this but the last 4 digits were always different which I thought was
odd. Was it a telemarketer company calling from several different
phones in the same call center? Maybe a big business that uses a lot of different phone lines? I even overheard a neighbor talking
about how they were having the same issue with similar numbers
calling them.
I decided to do a little research and
it turns out many others are experiencing the same thing and it is
something called Caller ID Spoofing. This is where the caller is
faking a number that is similar to yours but they are actually
calling from a different number. I'm not exactly sure how it works,
but apparently there are ways to enable the caller to make it look
like they are calling from a different number.
This may be done to make the recipient
think it is a local call so they are more likely to answer. Reports
are that it is done by telemarketers or people trying to scam you
into giving out your personal information, or they are robo-calls
calling a bunch of numbers to see who will pick up.
The FCC has an article here with more
information about Caller ID Spoofing. They say it is illegal if the
company has intent to defraud or cause harm, but if no harm is
intended then it is ok. They also have an option to report spoofing by
filing a claim on their website. As far as I know there is not really
a way to stop it other than just not picking up if you receive a call
like this.
It's a shame there is not more
regulation or efforts being made to stop this sort of thing. With the
ability to change how a number is displayed, it makes it so you
really can't trust any number that calls you. Because of this, we
must be very careful about answering unknown calls especially if they
ask for personal information. If you are unsure about the
authenticity of a caller, end the call and call back at the number
you know is correct.
