There aught to be a law - against false caller ID

[3c273a]

Isn’t that some kind of wire fraud?

[Backseat Driver]

1. End the Spoofing! n/t

[gratuitous]

2. The phone carriers could stop that tomorrow - if they wanted to

I'm not sure when we voted to allow this, but it really should stop. Just because I have a telephone doesn't mean I want to be interrupted every five minutes by some scammer trying to rip me off.

[OldCicero]

3. Spoofing is already illegal.

But the scammers and hackers are already criminals and criminals really don't seem to care about the rules, do they.
Kinda like many other things.

Under the Truth in Caller ID Act, FCC rules prohibit anyone from transmitting misleading or inaccurate caller ID information with the intent to defraud, cause harm or wrongly obtain anything of value. Anyone who is illegally spoofing can face penalties of up to $10,000 for each violation.

https://www.fcc.gov/spoofing

[Bettie]

4. It is because of this that I never, ever answer my phone

unless it is a name I recognize. We still have a house phone and I figure if it is important, they'll leave a message.

[robbob]

6. Yeah, but I thought that was the whole point of spoofing...

It WILL be a name you recognize, only it won’t actually be them.

I have a policy with any phone call; when I pick up if I don’t hear a voice on the other end within 2 seconds I hang up. Avoids a lot of robo-callers and, as you said, if it’s someone who really wants to talk to me they’ll probably call back.

[OldCicero]

8. I have my phone set up to use google assistant

It answers any number that isn't on my contact list with this message...

(This was a spoofed or spam number calling)



If it was important they can leave a reason. Obviously, if it isn't they disconnect.
My phone doesn't even ring but I do get notified so I can see the activity.

Edit.
Just now got this one, thank DOG for the Google assistant! I could have missed this important call, JK.

[Bettie]

9. Not many people call me

and most personal contacts use my cell number.

Our house phone will get calls that say "Cell Phone Iowa" or our town's name and a local number.

The blood bank, the school, the vet's office, doctor's office....so far those have all been legit.

[Wounded Bear]

5. "Ought"...

[Gaugamela]

7. There is a new law coming into effect called STIR/SHAKEN.

Phone providers have until June 30th to comply with the new protocols. I’m hoping it will eliminate these calls.

https://www.fcc.gov/call-authentication

[leftyladyfrommo]

10. I am starting to get more text messages than calls.

I don't answer unless I know who is calling and then I block the numbers. But the texts always come through.

[Qutzupalotl]

11. I have to answer all calls

because I am on UI and they say they might call from a different number if they have a question.

When I get a call from an unrecognized number and hear the long pause after my “Hello,” I like to play with them. No matter what they say, I ask, “Hi, what city are you calling from?” I won't go any further until they answer. Most will hang up at this point.

One guy gave a long pause (I could hear him typing), and then mispronounced the name of a city in my area code. I happen to know there is only one call center in that city, and it's dedicated to customer support for a cruise line. He got a little snippy after that.

One guy admitted he was calling from Karachi: “You know where Karachi is?” I said, Pakistan. He seemed surprised I knew, then said, “That is correct. Hello from Pakistan!” and we ended the call.

Now knowing (from this thread) that there's a $10,000 fine for spoofing, I will ask them why they're spoofing their number and let them know about the fine.