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