| The Origins of Spoofing | | | | With increased concerns over privacy, as well as |
| Caller ID spoofing has been around nearly as long as | | | | Americans increasing frustration with telemarketing |
| caller ID. Originally caller ID spoofing was innocent, and | | | | calls, the chances of a federal law placing severe limits |
| still is in some cases. Many larger businesses would | | | | in this technology increases. In fact both the House and |
| use a form of caller ID spoofing to make it appear that | | | | the Senate have bills currently on their desks that |
| all phone calls were coming from the same main | | | | would restrict the use of caller ID spoofing to law |
| phone number. Even today it is common for | | | | enforcement officials. |
| companies with more than one line to have the main | | | | While some cases of caller ID spoofing is totally |
| number show up no matter what line is called from. In | | | | harmless, such as a company using one number for all |
| addition, many business cell phones are set up so that | | | | of its phone lines, and some cases of caller ID spoofing |
| a call made from that cell phone will show up as | | | | are merely annoying, such as calls from telemarketers |
| coming from the main business line. This is simply to | | | | or political committees, there are times when caller ID |
| prevent confusion on the part of the customer. | | | | spoofing is frightening. |
| It did not take long for other people to realize the | | | | The idea of being anonymous brings out the worst in |
| potential for spoofing their phone numbers. Soon | | | | some people, and caller ID allows just that. There have |
| private investigators began using the same technology. | | | | been a variety of caller ID spooking incidents that |
| It was not long before law enforcement officers and | | | | involve prank or obscene phone calls, with the caller ID |
| collection agencies began using it as well. | | | | spoofed, either to remain anonymous or to make it |
| How Easy is it to Spoof Your Phone Number? | | | | appear that the call is coming from someone else. In |
| Caller ID spoofing is still going on. With no laws in place | | | | other cases, Caller ID spoofing has been used to call |
| to prevent caller ID spoofing everyone from large | | | | for police or other emergency personnel where they |
| businesses to the local kids making prank phone calls | | | | were not needed. |
| can spoof their phone number to hide their identity. | | | | In cases involving harassment, the fact that there are |
| Anyone with access to a telephone can spoof their | | | | no laws against caller ID spoofing will not stop |
| phone number, with instructions available on the internet | | | | prosecution. Contact your local police department, as |
| at places such as In addition there are a variety of | | | | the laws against harassment, intimidation, and stalking |
| online sites that you can visit and enter your the | | | | that are currently in force will probably cover any |
| telephone number you want to spoof as well as the | | | | problems that someone spoofing their phone can |
| one that you want to call, and be connected. This is a | | | | cause you. If you are interested on learning if caller ID |
| relatively simple process, particularly for people using | | | | spoofing becomes a crime, you can keep track of any |
| Voice Over IP technology (VOIP). | | | | bills at |
| While there are no laws currently on the books to | | | | If you ever need to trace a phone owner you can find |
| prevent caller ID spoofing that may all change soon. | | | | a great service here. |