I.D. Spoofing

Have you ever received a phone call from a number you recognized, but it turned out to be a spam call? Unfortunately, it was more than likely an I.D. Spoofing call. Spoofing is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller I.D. display to disguise their identity. Here are a few things you can do to keep yourself safe from these attacks.

• Calls from unknown numbers – If you aren't expecting a call and receive one from an unknown number, either ignore it or pick up and hang up immediately.
• Hit a button – if they tell you to hit a button to remove your number from their call list, do not press it. Hang up the phone instead. Spammers use this to trick you and identify you as a potential target.
• Set a password – If you have a voicemail on your phone service, be sure to set a password. Spoofers can spoof your number and gain access to your voicemail if you do not set a password.

The FCC has more information about I.D. Spoofing on its website. Read more about it here.  Also, contact your local police if you received a spoof call and gave the scammer any of your personal information.

For other tips on how to fight fraudulent activity, you can read them here.

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