| SpoofCard, may become the hottest software | | | | really want to talk to at that moment. Quite often even |
| telephone calling system available thanks to the | | | | I ignore the phone after seeing the ID and deciding to |
| upcoming release by Sony Pictures of "Untraceable," | | | | return the call instead of answering it. Although prank |
| starring Diane Lane as an FBI agent led on a merry | | | | calls have been and always will be a part of a |
| chase for a killer who hides himself behind phone calls | | | | teenager's life with this system pranks may go too far |
| and the internet. | | | | causing immense fear, costs and police resources, |
| What is Spoofcard? It is a software system that | | | | such as in the prank interview by Paul Zahn of CNN |
| allows outgoing callers to disguise their name, | | | | news. Millions of telephone customers pay and |
| telephone number, voice and gender. It also allows the | | | | additional fee for Caller ID, and now that protection is |
| caller to record their telephone calls. In order to use | | | | not available to the consumer at either their home or |
| Spoofcard you create an account very similar to long | | | | cell phone. |
| distance calling card plans or prepaid cell phone plans. | | | | Uses for Spoofcard can also be extremely 'ugly." |
| The price of 60 minutes is $10.00 and customers may | | | | Uses of the Spoofcard system can result in; the ability |
| purchase up to 480 minutes for $80.00. Only credit | | | | to access voicemail systems that do not belong to the |
| cards are accepted by the site. | | | | caller; identity theft such as giving personal and financial |
| Customers are assigned a Personal Identification | | | | information believing it to be a legitimate call based on |
| Number (PIN) to access their account. First, they call | | | | the caller identification information and stalking, just to |
| into the Spoofcard telephone system, dial the number | | | | name a few of the more frightening uses for this |
| you are calling and then dial the number and name you | | | | system. |
| wish to appear on the receiver's caller id. Next the | | | | Spoofcard is legal. Even after Congressional hearings |
| system asks if you wish to change your gender or | | | | on the use of the software, it was determined that the |
| record a message to be played for the telephone call. | | | | software was legal, but that specific crimes |
| Users may also record their calls, to replay later. | | | | associated with its use were not. Stipulations are in |
| Spoofcard and their affiliates claim that it is simply an | | | | effect; such as the service is illegal only if used to |
| entertainment tool, however they also claim that it | | | | deceive or attempt fraud or theft as a result of the |
| provides a certain level of privacy from professionals | | | | call. In some cases, depending on the state, the |
| such as doctors or lawyers who may find it | | | | recorded calls may or may not be admissible in court. |
| necessary to contact patients or clients out of office | | | | The web site for Spoofcard indicates that all requests |
| hours. It is stated on their site that one of the many | | | | by a legitimate government agency will be honored. |
| reasons for purchasing the software is to enable | | | | Spoofcard may be purchased online through their |
| professionals such as these to protect their home and | | | | homepage or through several affiliate programs. The |
| cell phone information, but allowing them to program | | | | homepage provides consumers with the ability to |
| their outgoing calls to indicate the office and office | | | | purchase their minutes. receive technical support, |
| telephone number. | | | | participate in the forum and access the FAQ page. |
| Another entertainment purpose is to create your own | | | | However, in my research on the web, far too many |
| unique telephone number to announce who you are, | | | | claim to be using the system for illegal purposes, and |
| similar in nature to having ring tones that indicate who is | | | | although they make these claims, technology is |
| called. Nicknames may also appear on the caller id | | | | available to keep their identity safe - but what about |
| screen. | | | | yours? |
| However critics of Spoofcard are worried. Received | | | | This system is just the latest of several new services |
| calls may be tricked into answering calls from "ex's" or | | | | available to both legitimate consumers and criminals |
| other individuals that they wish to avoid. We have all | | | | alike that needs to be monitored and examines to |
| done it, screened our calls to determine if it is a good | | | | protect from identity theft, and other crimes, now more |
| time to answer the phone or if it is someone who | | | | easily available to criminals by utilizing this system. |