Be on lookout for new kind of caller ID spoofing
Are you experiencing an increase in the number of local calls to your home or cell phone? You’re not alone. This phenomenon is called “neighbor spoofing,” and it’s the latest strategy being used by scam artists in an attempt to get people to answer the phone.
For phone scams to be successful, scammers need people to pick up the phone, so they can initiate the conversation. Neighbor spoofing is used to trick a person into thinking somebody local such as a neighbor is calling. According to experts, this may interest someone just enough to answer their phone.
Con artists and robocallers use technology to modify what phone numbers appear on caller ID, impersonating phone numbers from neighbors, friends and local businesses to try to get you to answer the call.
In many instances, it is a random number with the same area code and first three digits as your own phone number. In other cases, the number displays as coming from a local business or person with which you’ve previously communicated.
Answering one of these spoofed calls will indicate to the robocaller that you have an active phone line.
Active phone lines are valuable to phone scammers and will often put you on their list for future calls, potentially opening your phone line up to more scam calls.
Here are a few tips from the Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas to help identify and handle “neighbor spoofing” phone calls:
Avoid answering calls from phone numbers you don’t recognize, even if they appear to be local. If it’s important, the caller will leave a message. Also, if your own phone number is used in a spoof call, you may receive calls and messages from people asking why you called them in the first place.
This can lead to a lot of confusion between the two parties, but knowing your own number can be used by scammers may help explain the situation.
Avoid answering calls from phone numbers you don’t recognize, even if they appear to be local. If it’s important, the caller will leave a message.
Be aware that phone numbers of local businesses, including doctor’s offices and/or insurance agents, may appear to be calling you. If you’re not certain whether the call is legitimate or a spoof, hang up and dial the known phone number for the contact to verify the communication, especially if personal and/or financial information is being requested.
For smartphones, there are callblocking apps that may help decrease the amount of spam calls. Your home phone carrier also may provide a similar service or offer advice. Make sure your phone number is on the National Do Not Call Registry. Though it is unlikely to prevent most scam calls, it will help to reduce calls received from legitimate telemarketers, which can be helpful in screening fraudulent calls. You can sign up at this website: donotcall.gov.
Report the scam. You may share your experience on BBB’s Scam Tracker at BBBHouston.org/scamtracker. This online service allows individuals to report scams and fraudulent activities to help educate and warn others.
The Better Business Bureau is an unbiased nonprofit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Visit www.bbbhouston.org or call 713-868-9500. Leah Napoliello is senior director of Investigative Services with the BBB of Greater Houston and South Texas. Send questions to Leah Napoliello, Better Business Bureau, 1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77027, or e-mail lnapoliello@bbbhou.org. Include your mailing address and phone number.