CA's Spoofing Phone Numbers?
Date: Sat, 07/05/2008 - 11:02
If a CA calls and the number in the CID shows up as spoofed (IE intentionally made up to mislead) isn't that illegal?
I'm cat/dog sitting for my Mother and she received a call the other day that showed up as "Twin Cities, MN - 952-996-0000." I thought it might have been one of the CA's that had called her before, looking for me, even though my number is still the same and still active.
So I tried calling the number back and got a recorded message advising it was no longer in service or had been disconnected. Now how in the heck could she be getting calls from a phone that is not in service?!?
So, I Google'd the number and it came up as "Pinnacle Financial" and I found other stories from people advising the same; they tried to call the number back and got the "disconnected" message. One post did provide an actual 800-number for Pinnacle though, which I called.
Of course the woman that answered wouldn't tell me what company she was with when I asked. I advised her I had Google'd them and found out they were with Pinnacle Financial and why were they calling my mother. She then advised me the name of the woman they were trying to reach; she was no relation and I didn't recognize the name.
Funny thing I didn't even have to give her my Mother's phone number, as that was where I was calling from it must have pulled up in her system the minute she answered the call.
I then proceeded to ask her to make sure my mother does not get any more calls from them, which she promised she would. I asked her for her name as I didn't want to have this same conversation in a month with another rep after she made a promise to me.
That's when she started getting bee-yothcy!
So, I go into attack mode asking why her company feels the need to spoof their number in the CID when they call someone, not leaving a message, and making someone have to play "Dick Tracy" trying to figure out who called. I asked her isn't it illegal to spoof a number like that? Shouldn't their correct number be showing up in the CID if they were a legitimate company conducting legitimate business?
She must have heard this before as she started telling me to sue them if they are breaking the law. So, I'm guessing they know what they're doing and this question has been raised with them before? I told her if they called my mother again, then I would definitely be looking into that option, advised her to have a nice day, and that I was ending the call.
What fun!!
So, has anyone run across this before and is it actually legal for a CA to spoof the CID number like that?
Caller ID spoofing is prohibited by the FCC for Telemarketers bu
Caller ID spoofing is prohibited by the FCC for Telemarketers but I think could be applied to CA's since it is a deceptive trade practice. Unfortunately it's not a crime....YET. File a complaint with the FCC. The worst they can do is not investigate but if they get enough......
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/callerid.html
Done! Thanks NascarDevil! I'm also bookmarking that site for
Done!
Thanks NascarDevil! I'm also bookmarking that site for future use, if needed!
I had similar problem.
A friend of mine called and told me that a collection agency was using my phone number and his son's phone number to make calls to him. I was so upset. I don't know how the collection agency even know that I know this guy--Its creepy the lengths they go to. They are bold as brass about doing it and say its not illegal. What if this creep is using my number to call other people? Could I get blamed? He already made threats to my friend and said that he was coming over to look through his files. --This is a guy who pays his bills--he just got a little behind because of the downturn but, this guy seems like a criminal the way he is spoofing numbers and intimidating folks.
Guest, I would file FTC charges against the collection agency if
Guest, I would file FTC charges against the collection agency if it were me.
And yes, spoofing phone #'s is a clear violation of Fair Debit Collection act. One of my collectors got in trouble with our DFI for it.
i hate to admit it but its true. my company wont allow a tactic
i hate to admit it but its true. my company wont allow a tactic like that but i had a guy telling me back in the day they would call an 800 # and somone would answer and ask what number they want to call, give them the number, then they ask what number you want to show up on caller id. if you had acess you can choose any friend or relative number to show up on the caller id. so when the person answers the phone thinking its their mother or girlfriend its really a slimy collection agency. i'm sure they've simplified the process by now to where it automatically shows up under a false caller id without having to use a 3rd party.
Thanks for the advice. I will file a complaint with the FTC too.
Thanks for the advice. I will file a complaint with the FTC too. I talked to my phone company and I think they are going to file charges against the guy--It gets worse by the way. The guy apparently thinks that I am a delivery service for messages to my friend. I came home today and was shocked that he left a message on MY phone for my friend and he sounds like a lunatic... its actually getting scary--to say I am weirded out by this guy is an understatement. At first I was wondering who this person was sounding so irrate on my answering machine and when I played it back I realized he was saying my friends name. How does he even know I am friends is he watching me or what?
Former call center rep here
When you asked her for her name, that definitely touches a nerve with call center reps. I've been one for a long time, and I can tell you that people who demand your full name after a contentious conversation NEVER have good intentions. 99% of the time, if you give them your name they will call back months later and make up all kinds of promises you allegedly made. They'll tell your supervisor you cussed them out, or make other false claims. Everything will come down to "Well that's not what ____ ____ told me! I demand that you honor ____ ____'s promise!" It NEVER works out well for the rep to give you his or her name. I give bogus ones all the time, then lie about where I am located. I don't own this or any other company, I don't make the rules, and I'm not the one who spoofed the number or even decided to do so in the first place. I'm a front line rep, just answering the phone. I won't give you my full name so you can use me to get what you want (and put me out of work) at a later date.
reply
if you didn't work for a bottomfeeder.you wouldn't have to worry about someone taking action.now would you.
