Online Service Helps Callers Beat Caller I.D.

[atommom]

It is almost second nature now for many people. When the phone rings, you glance at the Caller I.D. to see who it is. But what if someone could beat the system?

KMBC's Jere Gish reported that is is called Caller I.D. spoofing, and it is readily available online at Web site such as SpoofCard.com and TeleSpoof.com. The Web sites allow people to chose any number they want to pop up in someone's Caller I.D.

"It's a big concern because Caller I.D. is a valuable tool for customers to be able to screen the calls coming into their home," said Elmer Prenzlow, of Wisconsin's Consumer Protection Office.

Computer hackers have been able to do this with special equipment for years. But only recently have Web sites popped up to offer it to anyone. Just log in, sign up, pay with your credit card and you're ready to go.

Gish said he tried it out. He decided to make it appear that the president was on the line and it worked. Gish said he was calling from a KMBC cell phone, but the White House came up on the Caller I.D. Gish reported that every number he tried worked from the Kansas City Royals to the FBI.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/kmbc/20060524/lo_kmbc/9261920

[NJ_Lib]

1. OMG, I can't imagine the havoc that can be...

... caused with something like this. I really rely on that little box as I don't pick up unless I recognize who's calling. For Pete's sake, now what will I do? Nothing is really as it seems anymore. What a complicated and confusing world we now live in...

[BR_Parkway]

2. Could be fun - every time a Freeper says "if you have nothing to hide.."

they could get a call from "Homeland Security" asking them about some phone call they made where they mentioned Al-Quada or Saddam, let them know that they're being watched because of their behavior. That this is a courtesy call before "DHS" called their employer, church, family members to investigate.

Wonder how quickly they'd see the light that this type of illegal government intrusion could really wreck havoc on their lives.

On edit: How about a call from Rush or Insanity telling them to support Feingold's resolution!

[NJ_Lib]

5. Oh, the fun is limitless... It's always fun until

someone gets hurt... ;)

Can you imagine? When I fight with my sister, I'll just call her house with the name: "Candy Apple" inserted in there and ask for her husband in my most delicious, breathy voice... BAHAHAAA... Hey actually, you could get people killed with this new gadget...



Edit: Spelling

[Scoody Boo]

3. For that to work...

the person spoofing would have to know the number of at least one of the people who call me. If I do not recognize the number, I do not answer. Not even if it was the President. He only calls my cell anyway!:D

[itzamirakul]

4. Boy! Your post sounds just like an ad for the companies that are doing

the dastardly deed.

Are you a part of their company? If so, by posting this information you have reached thousands of people without paying one single dime! If this is true, then good for you! Congratulations!

If it is not true then please take it in the spirit of fun.
:)

[atommom]

6. I'll contact them at once and ask for my commission!

:P Actually, I posted this because I remembered people posting in the past about weird numbers showing up on their caller IDs. Caller ID has become one more thing we can't trust anymore. :hi:

[Turtlebah]

8. This really sucks!

I've been stalked online, and in person for years.. now that sociopath can call me, and I wont know who it is, till I pick up the phone, and hear nothing. I'll stop answering the phone again I guess..

[newyawker99]

21. Hi Turtlebah!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[itzamirakul]

11. Re: the commission...

If you wrote this post this well, you DESERVE a commission.

But at the least, you should be submitting your work to some of these companies who need ad copy writers. That really looks and reads professional.

[atommom]

12. No, I didn't actually write the piece. It was written by a pro.

And I forgot to put it in the little "excerpt" box.

[itzamirakul]

20. Good info, though. I don't have caller ID and now I won't BE getting it.

nt

[chat_noir]

7. my caller id shows 999-999-9999 called a few times

Pretty sure that's a spoofing. Google it.

[atommom]

23. I've seen that number on mine too. I assumed it was a spoof and

didn't pick it up. But it's annoying to think that they might use a familiar number next time.... :mad:

[madokie]

9. #67 preceding the number returns a message of private number

on the called phone caller id. just checked it

[Catchawave]

10. Just let the machine pick up :)

I only answer the phone for close friends and family anyhow.

[Habibi]

24. Yup, same here.

We get ribbed about it occasionally, but really, just speak slowly and clearly into the answering machine, and if you're someone we want to talk to, we'll pick up. Otherwise, adios.

[MadHound]

13. OMG, caller ID is no longer reliable, what to do, WHAT TO DO?

I guess we go back to the two old school options. Option A, let you answering machine pick up and screen that way. Option B, pick up the phone yourself and talk to the person.

It amazes me how dependent people have become on these "convience" technologies. And then when something goes wrong with them, they're in a panic about it, like we just didn't survive before these technologies were available:eyes:

I've never had Caller ID, never wanted it(or call waiting etc.) I see little need for it, but I guess for some it is indispensable:shrug:

[FlaGranny]

15. After arriving home from work

at about 5:30, starting dinner, eating, washing up the dishes, and getting a bath, etc., I used to log anywhere from a half dozen to a dozen calls from telemarketers. Years ago, never needed the caller ID because there weren't any telemarketers. Now with my numbers all on the do not call list, I still get about a dozen telemarketing calls a week. At least I guess they are because if I don't recognize the number I let the answering machine pick up and, of course, they never leave a message. So the ID technology was totally unnecessary before the development of the telemarketing industry. It is the telemarketing industry technology we could easily do without and the caller ID technology we had to develop in order to protect ourselves.

Out of many years of habit, I used to answer my phone when it rang, but no more. Occasionally I forget myself and answer, hello?, hello?, and there is no one there. Grrrr! I got myself a Vonage line and gave the number only to friends and family. I wonder how long before telemarketers start to call it.

[MadHound]

16. Oh there were telemarketers years ago, before the advent

Of Caller ID and answering machines. I still deal with them the same way I always did "Hello" "Hi! I'm from thus and such company and I'm calling you to. . ." "Goodbye"click. I mean really now, is it that difficult:shrug: Or, if you don't want to be bothered at all, turn the phone off.

I see the double edge of many of these new technologies, including VOIP, and hence shun many of them. Sure, call me a Luddite, but I remain relatively anonymous and my privacy remains mostly my own.

And if you're still being bothered with telemarketers after registering on the no call list, start reporting those who are still calling you:shrug:

[FlaGranny]

22. I'd report them but I don't know who they are -

they always call from a number that is private or unknown and if you do answer, no one is there. I say "hello" twice. After the second hello I hang up the phone.

Sure, you might not mind running to answer the phone - from the shower, from the toilet, in the middle of making an omelet, or in the middle of a good movie, but a lot of us do. Turn the phone off? How about if a family member needs help in an emergency? :shrug:

I spend good money in order not to be annoyed by telemarketers. It's worth it to me. If they find a way around the ways we have to stop them, I guess it's back to carrier pigeons.

P.S. Telemarketers were rare birds 40 or 50 years ago - one call a month would have been a lot. In fact, I can't say I remember ANY telemarketing calls before 40 years ago.

[Coyote_Bandit]

14. Could be used for a bit of wicked fun - but

could also be used as a cover to obtain information for identity theft and such. Not good.

[ContraBass Black]

18. You shouldn't tell people who call you anything confidential,

Regardless of what caller ID says.

[Coyote_Bandit]

19. True - but

I can easy see how somebody might get a call using a spoof ID of a business that they patronize, assume the call is legit, and provide information over the phone. This is particularly true of older and less sophisticated users who probably don't realize their caller ID can be spoofed.

In addition to teaching people not to trust strangers and not to provide confidential information we also need to teach them not to trust technology because it is subject to manipulation. We need coverage of caller ID spoofing in the media to make folks aware that this particular technology is being manipulated.

[ContraBass Black]

17. GASP! That's terrible! In fact, let's pass a law right now to stop it!

:sarcasm:





This is another potential danger for VOIP.