Caller ID Spoofing

Scam artists have now found a way to "phish" by phone. Just like e-mail phishing scams can make it appear that a message is coming from any e-mail address the sender chooses, caller ID spoofing can make a call appear to come from any phone number the caller wishes.

Here's how the scam works...

The scam artist goes to a caller ID spoofing service (i.e., www.camophone.com). These services allow you to "spoof" your telephone number. According to Camophone, with "Camophone's Privacy Telecom Caller ID spoofing and manipulation service, you can make calls anywhere to the United States and you are in control of the Caller ID that is sent to whoever you are calling."

The scam artist sets up an account and is then able to call consumers and have the caller ID display their local bank or credit union telephone number and caller ID. The consumer, feeling comfortable that they are seeing their own credit union's name, is more likely to divulge their confidential account information.

DON'T BE FOOLED. No bank will send an e-mail requesting your confidential information, they would never make an unsolicited call to request that information. If you do receive a call like this from ANY vendor that you do business with hang up and call back using their published phone number.



For more information search for this article. . .
Computerworld, "Scam Artists Dial for Dollars on Internet Phones"