Spoofing Caller Id And The Law

Caller ID spoofing displays a number on the recipient's caller ID display

, which is not the actual telephone number. The term is usually used to describe malicious situations to hide the originating phone number that is clearly meant to mislead the recipient. However, there are legitimate reasons for using the spoofing services by businesses, law enforcement and national security agents, and others. But, legislation has been deemed necessary now so that the improper and illegal use of spoofing is curbed at all costs.

Caller ID spoofing creates doubts on the values and credibility of caller identification system. It is generally used to make prank calls. It can also be used to harass, embarrass, or even cause harm to certain people.

How It Works

People pay for a personal identification number (PIN) to use a spoofing service. They first get connected to the company with this PIN. Then, the number is entered that they wish to call, and another number which they wish to appear on the caller ID of the recipient. The service provider bridges the call. The receiver sees the spoofed number chosen by the caller on his system.

Voice over IP or PRI lines are used by web-based spoofing services, which allow customers to initiate spoofed calls from a web-based interface. Some display a name along with the spoofed number, or just the geographical name. The customer logs into the service provider's website and chooses a source number, destination number, and caller ID number. When he or she initiates the call, the source number is called and then bridged to the destination number. Services are also offered to record calls, change the voice, and send SMS text messages.

Legitimate Advantages

Original caller's information is preferred when commercial answering-service bureaus forward calls back to the subscriber's cell phone. Business people and professionals opt for the display of their office number when calling from other personal numbers. Companies give fake caller ID to telecommuters to answer business calls. It can be used as a less expensive tool to nab a cheating spouse, partner, or even fugitives and criminals. Credit collection companies use this to get people answer their calls. People wishing to stay anonymous while reporting crimes use caller ID spoofing. It is a great product used by law enforcement and private investigators as a fast, easy, and inexpensive method of obtaining ownership information of a phone number.

Recently, caller ID spoofing legislation called "Truth in Caller ID Act of 2010" has been passed by the House of Representatives, which will be signed into law by The President later this year. With this, it becomes illegal to cause any caller ID service to convey deceptive caller information with the intention of defraud, though law enforcement is not affected.

Caller ID spoofing, often thought as illegal or immoral practice, however in reality has many advantages. In the past, it required an advanced knowledge of telephony equipment that was expensive. But with the advent of technology, one can spoof calls with minimal costs and effort. Attempts to mislead and hack people or commit frauds have led the government to initiate laws to prevent illegitimate use of spoofing.

by: Congreve Davies

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