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 The below listed phone by CICT
Another scam call from (866) 207-3465
Caller said our son was in jail and stay in for 2-4 weeks if we don't send $1480 .00 He identified himself as Atty. Eric Anderson. He gave the office address:,119 Pine Grove Circle Milford, PA. * I insisted to talk to our son He said that my son was intoxicated with alcohol level of 1.008 and his son was broken.
My son never touch alcohol. So I asked where he was. "PA... " I yelled at him because my son is not in PA. He hung up!! **I was skeptical of the call but my wife was so so worried /panicky when the lawyer Having a driver's license or photo identification card is commonplace for most Americans, but about 11 percent of adult citizens — more than 21 million people — lack a valid, government-issued photo ID, according to a study by the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law. our son was in jail with a broken nose.
We called our son. He lectured us about spam calls.
In reply to The below listed phone by CICT
In reply to The below listed phone by CICT
In reply to The below listed phone by CICT
In reply to The below listed phone by CICT
In reply to The below listed phone by CICT
In reply to The below listed phone by CICT
In reply to The below listed phone by CICT
In reply to The below listed phone by CICT
In reply to The below listed phone by CICT
In reply to The below listed phone by CICT
In reply to The below listed phone by CICT
In reply to The below listed phone by CICT
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In reply to I've had fake calls call me by mmsorok
In reply to i've been receiving as well by justworrried
If you’re getting repeated calls from the same number, your phone company may be able to block that number, but first ask whether there’s a fee for this service.
If you’re getting unwanted calls from a lot of different numbers, look into a call blocking solution. There are online call blocking services, call blocking boxes, and smartphone apps that block unwanted calls. Do an online search to look for reviews from experts and other users, and find out whether the service costs money.
In reply to I've had fake calls call me by mmsorok
In reply to Add 919-336-0009. They call by Harassing for money
Some people use an answering machine to screen calls. That way you don't have to answer every call. If a person starts talking to leave a message, you can choose whether or not to answer.
If the calls are coming from one particular number, you could contact your phone company and ask to block that number. Ask if there's a fee for the service.
If you get unwanted calls from many different numbers, look into a call blocking solution. There are online call blocking services, call blocking boxes, and smartphone apps that block unwanted calls. Research whether the service costs money and whether it’s effective. You can look online for reviews from experts and other users.
In reply to I've had fake calls call me by mmsorok
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In reply to Same thing here. 202-444-4444 by scorya
I receive calls with imaginary area codes. The callers do NOT leave a message. The Jamaican Million Dollar Lottery is back.
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In reply to The lottery caller threatened by owner owner
Received a call on April 28, 2016 from a fake IRS. They asked me to call them at 650-479-3053 and the caller ID shows Half Moon Bay, CA. I chose not to answer and they left a robo call message on my cellphone.
In reply to Received a call on April 28, by Shekesmom
In reply to I have received calls from 2 by concerned citizen