"Spoofing" -- Beware!

[camellia0]

While I was at the store, I received a call from a gentleman who told me he was from Verizon Wireless and that I overpaid my phone bill and they were giving me a credit. He wanted to know how I wanted to receive my credit. I told him that I would call them later because I did not want to give any information over the telephone. When I get home, I called the Verizon Wireless number on the bill (this # is different from the one that called me).  The lady who answered said no one from VW called me today and that I was "spoofed". Scammers can get our numbers and pretend to be a company..they are trying to get info about us.

Some of you may have heard of this, but for those of us who haven't get your number added to the 'no soliciting' list.

[Mizzkizz7]

While I was at the store, I received a call from a gentleman who told me he was from Verizon Wireless and that I overpaid my phone bill and they were giving me a credit. He wanted to know how I wanted to receive my credit. I told him that I would call them later because I did not want to give any information over the telephone. When I get home, I called the Verizon Wireless number on the bill (this # is different from the one that called me).  The lady who answered said no one from VW called me today and that I was "spoofed". Scammers can get our numbers and pretend to be a company..they are trying to get info about us.

Some of you may have heard of this, but for those of us who haven't get your number added to the 'no soliciting' list.

Oh yes, Spoofing is very common now. I was getting a bunch on my landline so when I called verizon to change my number, they said that won't stop it and told me to contact the Do not call registry. 1-888-382-1222, or www.donotcall.gov I signed up and my calls on my landline has slowed up alot. Still get strange calls from time to time but not like before. Hope this helps you.

[alina6]

I don't answer the phone any more unless I recognize the number of the person who is calling.

[rghvac69]

I don't answer the phone anymore unless I recognize the number.

[plennis]

I hate it that they no let out the cell phone numbers for all these sells calls etc.  I will use the DNC # for these.  Thanks.

[countrygirl12]

While I was at the store, I received a call from a gentleman who told me he was from Verizon Wireless and that I overpaid my phone bill and they were giving me a credit. He wanted to know how I wanted to receive my credit. I told him that I would call them later because I did not want to give any information over the telephone. When I get home, I called the Verizon Wireless number on the bill (this # is different from the one that called me).  The lady who answered said no one from VW called me today and that I was "spoofed". Scammers can get our numbers and pretend to be a company..they are trying to get info about us.

Some of you may have heard of this, but for those of us who haven't get your number added to the 'no soliciting' list.

That is NOT what spoofing means.

Spoofing is when someone calls you and they SPOOF the number that appears on your caller ID.  In other words the number that shows up on your caller ID will be from a local phone number or company and that is not where the call actually came from.  I know several people who have received calls and the number on the caller ID was their own phone number.

The deal with someone calling pretending to be your whatever company is nothing new.  This has went on for years.

Adding your phone number to the do not call list is a waste.  I am on it and I get calls all day.  Most of the calls are from another country but they SPOOF the number so it shows up on my caller ID as a local number in hopes I will answer it.  I do not answer anything.  If it is not someone I know it goes to voice mail.  If it is important I will return the call.

And you act surprised that they can get info about you such as who your cell service is with.  You give it up freely all day when you sit online doing surveys.

[minioncookies]

Oh yes... when i first started out with a debit card i was a young kid and my "bank" called me asking to verify my information i was freely willing to do it.. and as i was doing it my mother yanked the phone right from my hands telling me to never give out your information over the teliphone .. I have stopped getting calls for the longest times now Which i don't really care about because i don't answer the phone unless i know the person anyways.. But a couple times they did spoof their number to one of my contact numbers and i picked up thinking it was them and nope was not them and also a couple times i recieved a call from my own number.. was amusing i picked it up and told them nice try calling me with my own phone number and i laughed and hung up... It's amazing i know that your information get's sold from your phone companies and your banks.. and what have you.. plus you also have people diggin in the trashes for your information and using it etc.. your info has never really been private so i'm not sure why companies promise to keep everything private because if you read in small print and something in contracts they will tell you that your information can be sold at anytime to third parties.. lol.. crazy huh??

[countrygirl12]

minion- Yeah you have to opt out of having you info shared. I should have to opt in to that. You also freely give your info up on these survey sites. We have even discussed it before. And people have said they have no issues stating who your credit card company is and who your phone company is.  A lot of you may not know this even thought "I" have said it before but you are NOT anonymous to the person behind the survey.  THEY KNOW WHO you are.  They have your name, address, and probably phone number and your birthday.  If you do not believe me submit a support ticket and ask them.  It is not hard to get enough info to be able to call you and pretend to be your whatever company and get you to freely give up more information.

And sometimes they just luck up.  When I was younger the phone rang and I answered it and it was from the Highway Patrol.  Coincidentally a family member had just been killed in an auto accident a couple hours earlier. And I thought that is what he was calling about.  Turns out he was wanting money donated to whatever it is they call about or take up money for.  The highway patrol at least in my state only does it for one thing.  And the caller ID did show up xxx Highway Patrol.