Protect Yourself from Caller ID Spoofing
Caller ID has been around for years, and now with cell phones, everyone can see who is calling before they pick up.
Recently, a new type of scamming has developed – caller ID spoofing - allowing telemarketers and scammers to mask their number as a number you trust, such as the police department. The person on the line will ask you for a donation or tell you that you have an overdue bill you must pay, all just to get your credit card information and any other personal information they can.
The FCC suggests that you do not give out any personal information over the phone but instead look up the correct phone number on a bank statement or the phonebook and call to verify if you actually owe money. Last year, Congress passed the “Truth in Caller ID Act” which aims to cut down on caller ID spoofing.
Learn more tips from the FCC and the Truth in Caller ID Act to avoid being scammed.
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