Of course, Spoof Card isn't the only spoofing service out there. Some services offer software programs that can be used to spoof calls over a Web interface. One even calls itself PhoneGangster.com.
The services that allow it to be done over a Web interface enable the activity to be performed on a much larger scale. A simple Google search for "caller ID spoofing" brings up all kinds of Adsense ads selling a wide range of caller ID spoofing services. Of course, I shouldn't single out Google or Adsense; my guess is that any search on most commercial browsers will net the same type of advertising.
With VoIP technology in full vogue and services like Skype, the fraudulent use of caller id spoofing services now can feasibly be done across borders. This will make it much more difficult for law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute these cases.
In 2007, two bills were sent to the Senate to address caller ID spoofing. Neither was voted on and as a result no effective law has been put into place to address this issue. This year, Senator Bill Nelson (FL) and three co-sponsors introduced another bill (S.30) dubbed "The Truth in Caller ID Act."
In my humble opinion, the need for this legislation is pretty apparent. Laws are designed to protect people and it there are too many good reasons people need to be protected from caller ID spoofing!
The right place to file a complaint about something like this is the Federal Trade Commission. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). There is also a link on the page to file a complaint on an overseas entity.
You can also write your representatives (elected officials) and encourage them to make 2009 the year that they finally pass some legislation on this issue.
Article comments
1 - Alexis A Moore
Trust Caller ID become a victim is a great awareness piece of the misuse of caller id spoof today. Please join Alexis A. Moore and Survivors In Action and support the passage of the "Truth in Caller Id Act" this legislation will help ensure that "No Victim is Left Behind.
2 - Elvira Black
Great piece...what a relief. This kind of thing can be so bizarre that trying to describe it to someone can make you sound like a paranoid nutjob.
One robocall re: car insurance "expiration" was so ubiquitous in NYC that I believe they passed a bill against it when a local legislator became a victim of it himself.
But without going into detail, I have experienced the nightmarish "twilight zone" engendered by this kind of fraud and it can be both insidious and exceedingly hard to remedy. AFter awhile one begins to wonder who one is really speaking to when one tries to complain to "customer service" or the "fraud department," since I've personally had a great deal of trouble with both...
Thanks so much for this piece...will check out the links as well.