Consumer Alert
Scammers can fake caller ID info
Your phone rings. You recognize the number, but when you pick up, it’s someone else. What’s the deal?
Scammers are using fake caller ID information to trick you into thinking they are someone local, someone you trust – like a government agency or police department, or a company you do business with – like your bank or cable provider. The practice is called caller ID spoofing, and scammers don’t care whose phone number they use. One scammer recently used the phone number of an FTC employee.
Don’t rely on caller ID to verify who’s calling. It can be nearly impossible to tell whether the caller ID information is real. Here are a few tips for handling these calls:
- If you get a strange call from the government, hang up. If you want to check it out, visit the official (.gov) website for contact information. Government employees won’t call out of the blue to demand money or account information.
- Don’t give out — or confirm — your personal or financial information to someone who calls.
- Don’t wire money or send money using a reloadable card. In fact, never pay someone who calls out of the blue, even if the name or number on the caller ID looks legit.
- Feeling pressured to act immediately? Hang up. That’s a sure sign of a scam.
Want more tips for avoiding scams? Check out 10 Ways to Avoid Fraud.
If you’ve received a call from a scammer, with or without fake caller ID information, report it to the FTC and the FCC.
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In reply to 6177779485 is a scam. this by michael
In reply to Recently, we have received by Calls
It’s a scammer making an illegal robocall.
Technology makes it easy for scammers to fake or “spoof” caller ID information. They can make it look like they’re calling from a different place or phone number. Even your number. Scammers use this trick as a way to get around call-blocking and hide from law enforcement. They hope you’ll be curious enough to pick up. Don’t fall for it.
For more information, please see our blog post, Getting calls from your own number?
In reply to I RECEIVED CALLS FROM by why wont it stop!!!!
as. on 26 August, i was cheated by the person , as he call me and said i am speaking from bob and ur account is being blocked . due to non submitt of the documents.
as then he ask my account detail as i get befool and give my account detail as then he ask my debit card detail and . i give all my detail and then as take off all my money from my account.
as his number is still working . he is saying u cant do my anything. as i have done fir also but till now no revert come.. plz do any thing to stop all such crime
In reply to as. on 26 August, i was by atul jain
You can call your bank and tell them someone is taking money. Ask the bank to give you a new account number and new debit card.
Why does the Government and phone companies even permit spoofing? What is a legitimate use for this? Remember, come November! A vote for any incumbent Senator or Representative, Republication or Democrat, or for Hillary; is a vote for the Government to continue it’s lack of enforcement of the DNC law and to permit spoofing.
Add # 310-254-0675 IRS IMPERSONATOR Officer Smith Badge # 3207 When you call number back it goes to China Telecom America . A charge of fraud has been filed now against this number and that person (s) are on file with government for impersonating an officer which holds their company responsible and guilty as well.
a new number to add to the list 917-962-0037, poses as Citi Bank email of the same scammer, vxcc