| Spoofing refers to the ability to disguise the | | | | identification for authentication. For example, |
| originating caller identification number when placing | | | | Secure Science Corporation discovered that |
| a telephone call. The calling party may select an | | | | hackers could use caller ID spoofing to break into |
| alias or dummy number to appear on the called | | | | the voice mailboxes of over 15 million subscribers |
| party telephone display. | | | | of wireless service provider T-Mobile. The |
| Proponents of this technology laud its uses for | | | | company scrambled to add an optional pin code |
| law enforcement and private investigators. They | | | | authentication to thwart tampering. |
| claim the technology protects agents from being | | | | Criminal elements could utilize caller ID spoofing to |
| discovered in undercover operations. Agents can | | | | reverse the tables on law enforcement, harass |
| freely make pretext calls to criminal elements by | | | | victims and break into interactive voice response |
| using caller ID spoofing. A pretext call is one that | | | | systems that use the caller's phone number as |
| allows law enforcement to solicit information over | | | | authentication. A child molester could contact a |
| the telephone by representing themselves as | | | | home and disguise number as a parent's work |
| someone else. | | | | number. An alarm company or emergency |
| Caller ID spoofing is now marketed by a number | | | | response dispatch could be contacted and |
| of websites to any business or individual who | | | | reassured of false alarm by a burglar breaking into |
| wishes to subscribe to the service. Individuals can | | | | a premise. |
| hide or mask the call origin with whatever number | | | | Methods and kits on how to emulate and display |
| they desire. This guarantees anonymity. Collection | | | | spoofed caller ID messages are now available on |
| agencies or government tax agencies often find it | | | | the Internet. Anyone with a general understanding |
| difficult to reach defaulters. This service could help | | | | of the concept and a compatible modem can |
| these companies contact an individual using call | | | | construct a device that will provide caller ID |
| screening. | | | | spoofing. |
| Critics of the caller ID spoofing claim that using | | | | In the end, caller ID spoofing, like any other |
| this VoIP phone service makes it easy for scam | | | | technology does have some merit especially for |
| artists to make it appear that they are calling | | | | law enforcement. However this technology is |
| from another phone number. | | | | very easy to use unethically and perhaps |
| Jokesters could masquerade their caller ID as The | | | | criminally. The lesson here is don't trust caller id |
| Oval Office, Ed McMahon or Paris Hilton. Hackers | | | | display. If you are unsure of the caller id |
| and con artists could utilize spoofing to break into | | | | information of a suspicious caller, take the number |
| unsecured voice mail boxes that rely on caller | | | | down, return the call or alert authorities. |