| Caller ID spoofing, for those unfamiliar with the term, is | | | | from $10 to $25. So, for instance, if a scammer |
| the act of manipulating or changing the phone number | | | | purchases $10 worth of "Spoof Minutes," the provider |
| that appears on someone's call display when you | | | | loses out on $10 worth of goods and services that |
| place a call to them. As a user of a caller ID spoofing | | | | was used by the scammer, an extra $10 for the |
| service, you would simply enter in your real number, | | | | amount charged back by the credit card company, in |
| the number you are calling to, and the number you | | | | addition to the chargeback fee. |
| want to appear on the receiver's call display. Caller ID | | | | Providers are not in business to help criminals commit |
| spoofing providers such as and also offer other | | | | scams. SpoofTel, a caller ID spoofing provider since |
| services such as call recording and voice changing | | | | 2004, states that it will do everything it can to prevent |
| among others. | | | | fraudulent and malicious use of its services; including |
| The opponents of caller ID spoofing providers have | | | | cooperating with law enforcement should someone be |
| existed since the inception of the service. Over the | | | | found to be using the services illegally. Spoofing |
| years, numerous organizations and individuals alike | | | | providers have various safeguards in place to help |
| have exhausted all available means in order to attack | | | | protect against fraudulent and illegal use of their |
| the providers of caller ID spoofing. Certain individuals | | | | systems. |
| and organizations put forth claims of how threatening | | | | The message that should be given to the public is to |
| caller ID spoofing is. Opponents claim that scammers | | | | be cautious in any situation. You should always be |
| use it to gain personal information from people in order | | | | careful about giving personal information over the |
| to commit fraud and other offences. | | | | phone. Make sure you know who you are talking to |
| Granted, there have been crimes committed n the | | | | and make sure there is a need for you to give |
| past by individuals using caller ID spoofing and | | | | information. If someone calls asking for information, you |
| providers are very aware of this. However, if a | | | | could always ask to call them back and then research |
| criminal is attempting to use the service maliciously, | | | | the phone number to ensure its legitimacy. The same |
| chances are they are not paying for the service | | | | idea would also be true for responding to emails. Some |
| legitimately. Criminals who use the service pay for it | | | | scammers are quite good at what they do and, |
| with stolen credit cards. What happens in such a | | | | although unfortunate, we have to be careful and |
| transaction is; the deposit is charged back by the credit | | | | mindful of this in order to protect ourselves. However, it |
| card company when the rightful owner claims they did | | | | is unfair to place blame on companies trying to offer a |
| not make the purchase. The credit card company or | | | | service, when it's a select few who are attempting to |
| payment service also charges the spoofing provider a | | | | exploit the service the companies are providing. |
| fee for the chargeback which is usually anywhere | | | | |