Spoofing Alert!
As the economy has gone down, financial scams have gone up, and this is one of the ploys the crooks are pulling -- spoofing the phone numbers of financial institutions to gain people's trust and then simply asking people for their financial details.
Many of us rely on caller ID to screen our calls and protect our privacy, but maybe you shouldn't trust that little digital display. It turns out that when you pick up the phone, you can't always believe your eyes -- or ears.
Why? Because of a technological trick called "Caller ID Spoofing" that allows callers to change the name and number that come up on the display when they call someone. When somebody has the ability to alter the number that comes up on caller-ID, there's the potential they will abuse that power. Scammers who spoof numbers are usually calling people up and fishing around for personal financial information they can use to steal their identities, known as "Phone Phishing."
It used to take sophisticated technology and expertise to "spoof" a number, but commercial spoofing services have brought the trick to the masses. Now, for as little as $10 an hour, customers can dial into a spoofing service that gives them the ability to change the number they appear to be calling from.
Spoofing services even offer you the ability to disguise your voice. A man can choose to sound like a woman, and vice versa.
If someone contacts you and says you've been a victim of fraud, verify the person's identity before you provide any personal information. Legitimate credit card issuers and other companies may contact you if there is an unusual pattern indicating that someone else might be using one of your accounts. But usually they only ask if you made particular transactions; they don't request your account number or other personal information. Law enforcement agencies might also contact you if you've been the victim of fraud. To be on the safe side, ask for the person's name, the name of the agency or company, the telephone number, and the address. Get the main number from the phone book, the Internet, or directory assistance, then call to find out if the person is legitimate.
Job seekers should also be careful. Some phishers target people who list themselves on job search sites. Pretending to be potential employers, they ask for your social security number and other personal information. Follow the advice above and verify the person's identity before providing any personal information.
Be suspicious if someone contacts you unexpectedly and asks for your personal information. It's hard to tell whether something is legitimate by looking at an email or a Web site, or talking to someone on the phone. But if you're contacted out of the blue and asked for your personal information, it's a warning sign that something is "phishy." Legitimate companies and agencies don't operate that way.
Every year, millions of Americans fall victim to phishing scams over the phone and online. And e-mail addresses can be "spoofed" too! There are several ways to protect yourself:
First and foremost, never give out financial information over the phone unless you initiated the call.
Keep in mind that your bank already knows your account number, etc., so would not be asking for it.
Be wary of callers who ask for "confirmation" of personal information, such as social security numbers, credit card numbers and credit card security codes.
Don't call phone numbers that are listed in e-mail messages or links. Instead, look up the number yourself online or go low tech and find it on your statement.
Ask the callers if you may phone back with the information they have asked for, then call the institution directly to confirm.
If you have already given your information to someone over the phone, contact the real company directly right away to alert them that you may have been scammed.
Finally, monitor your bank accounts and credit reports to be aware of any suspicious activity.
Act immediately if you've been hooked by a phisher. If you provided account numbers, PINS, or passwords to a phisher, notify the companies with whom you have the accounts right away. For information about how to put a "fraud alert" on your files at the credit reporting bureaus and other advice for ID theft victims, contact the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft Clearinghouse, www.consumer.gov/idtheft or 877-438-4338, TDD 202-326-2502.
Report phishing, whether you're a victim or not. Tell the company or agency that the phisher was impersonating. You can also report the problem to law enforcement agencies through NCL's Fraud Center, www.fraud.org. The information you provide helps to stop identity theft.
