With robocalling and scammers seeming to be at all-time highs you probably have been a victim of neighbor spoofing. It is a trick used for a higher pickup rate among scammers and telemarketers. A phone scam has to start with someone picking up the phone and spoofing a number that looks like yours in your area helps that happen. Without a pickup, the scam can not start.
What is Neighbor Spoofing? Scammers, robocallers, and telemarketers will use something called Neighbor Spoofing that makes an incoming call look like it is coming from your same area code or local exchange. It is a way for incoming calls to match the first six digits of your own phone number.
Spoof Calling works like this
Spoof calling works like this. Using a VoIP or Voice-over-Internet-Protocol allows for voice communications to be traveled over an internet connection rather than on a traditional phone line. Here is what happens:
- The application from either a mobile device or web site of the spoofing provider
- The desired number that wants to be contacted is entered followed right behind with the number they want to be displayed
- Pressing send will allow the call to be sent through the VoIP
- The VoIP then changes that outbound caller ID and then connects to the desired phone number
Is Caller ID Spoofing against the law?
In short, No, most forms of ID spoofing are legal. The instances that spoofing is illegal is if it has the intent to cause harm. Let us look at the Under the Truth in Calling Act from the FCC prohibits anyone or entity from misleading or inaccurate caller ID data with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or gather or obtain anything of value.
Here are some reasons why neighbor spoofing is dangerous to the public
- The reason behind spoofing makes the actual phone number untraceable. You can’t know what the phone number that is actually calling is. Reporting these types of calls is extremely difficult.
- Most come from international areas and because the scammers become extremely aggressive in using tactics to scare people out of personal information or money. Finding these scammers outside of the country is almost impossible.
How do you block Neighbor Spoofing Robocalls?
If you are getting robocalls with your local number don’t worry because you’re not alone. Here are a few tricks and tips to avoid these calls.
Don’t answer unsolicited calls
If you don’t know the number then simply let it go to voicemail or just send the call there and then listen to the message if they leave one. However, spoof calls can look like tye are coming from previous contacts or business that you know.
Answering a call from someone that is spoofing it will only reassure them its alive and active number and could cause more scam calls.
If you do answer listen to who is on the other end
Simply listening to see what that person is saying you should be able to determine quickly if the call is legitimate or not. There are some red flags to look out for if you anyone calls you and ask for:
- Bank information
- Social security numbers
- Credit card data
- Or other personal data
DO NOT give them this information. Hang up at once.
Report the robocall
You can and should report these types of scammers to the Complain Assistant through the FTC’s website and also on the Do Not Call Registry.
Also, try downloading call-blocking apps. Although these types of apps probably will not eliminate the calls it is a quick method that is worth trying.
When in doubt remember to not give any information and hang up immediately. In our opinion, there is not any need for spoofing and find it to be unethical. If possible send these calls to a voice mail and if its important they will leave a message and you can contact them back.
