Caller ID spoofing is the practice of changing Caller ID to a different number other than the number used for calling. In the State of Louisiana, people falsify Caller ID information to transmit in a phone call for various reasons. When a call is spoofed, the identity of the caller is often disguised. In the past, phone spoofing was a lot expensive because of the type of infrastructures they used. The reverse is the case these days. Individuals can manipulate the Caller ID information to display in a phone call from the comfort of their homes and offices. Many tech companies offer phone spoofing services online. Numerous Caller ID spoofing applications that are compatible with cell phones are also available on online phone stores. Phone scammers engage in phone spoofing hugely because it is cheap and can make them manipulate identities at will.
Caller ID spoofing is not entirely illegal. People who run legitimate businesses have good reasons to hide their Caller ID information when engaging their clients. In the same manner, Medical doctors and law enforcement agencies engage in legitimate spoofing, especially when calling from personal phone lines. Spoofing is legal when not intended to harm call recipients. In contrast, if someone spoofs a Caller ID with the intent to cause harm or steal, the spoofing is illegal. Louisianians are encouraged to do reverse phone lookup of suspicious numbers to avoid the pain and loss caused by phone spoofing. Regular use of Illegal Caller ID spoofing in Louisiana include:
Emergency Healthcare Frauds
Fraudsters spoof phone numbers belonging to their targets' loved ones to contact them. The usual script is that the phone owner got involved in a road crash and is dying. To save the target's relative, they need money urgently for medical treatment. They usually stay on the phone to ensure prompt payment and dissuade their victims from making further contacts to verify claims.
Social Security Scams
In these scams, callers spoof Social Security Administration (SSA) Caller ID to extort naive individuals. Social security scams have many variations, but the primary aim is to obtain targets' personal information and commit identity theft. Fraudsters who engage in it also sometimes demand some types of payment via odd channels.
Tech Support Scams
Scammers pretend to be technical employees of their targets' computer companies with spoofed Caller IDs to steal money and obtain confidential information. They typically inform their marks that they have detected malware and viruses on their computers that require urgent attention, given the threat they pose. The callers will instruct the targets to grant them remote access to their computers based on the trust fostered by spoofed Caller ID. The consequences of falling for these phone scams are financial and identity thefts.
Why Is Phone Spoofing Illegal?
Phone spoofing is not illegal in Louisiana, except it is used for malicious intent. The FCC describes criminal spoofing as manipulating Caller IDs with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or unlawfully obtain anything of value. In a simple term, spoofing is illegal when it does not satisfy the standard set by the FCC.
Phone scammers in Louisiana favor phone spoofing and widely engage it for their schemes. Generally, phone users tend to decline calls from unknown numbers to avoid scams. They are a lot more comfortable with familiar numbers and names, which is why phone scammers contact people with spoofed IDs. Fraudsters often spoof the numbers of government agencies or legitimate businesses to enhance trust and deceive their marks. Reverse phone lookup services are efficient in identifying spoofed phone numbers and can prevent called parties from scams. Louisianians who are victims of phone spoofing scams can file complaints online with the FCC.
How Do You Know If Your Number Is Being Spoofed?
Have you wondered why you sometimes get overwhelming calls and text messages to communications you did not initiate? Your phone number was probably spoofed at those times, and it can happen to just anyone. Having your phone number used in a phone spoofing scam by an unknown person is not only dangerous but could also have criminal implications. If you experience a surge in incoming calls and messages from several numbers, report the situation immediately to a law enforcement agency. You should also contact your telephone company while making sure to file a complaint online with the FCC.
How Can You Protect Yourself from Illegal Spoofed Calls?
The goal of persons who engage in illegal phone spoofing is to get you to answer your phone and scam you. You can use a reverse phone number search application to identify a spoofed phone call and avoid scams. The phone calls could appear to be coming from your neighbor, the government, familiar businesses, or even your number. The best course of actions to prevent phone spoofing scams are:
- Add your number to Louisiana Do Not Call List and the National Do Not Call Registry to prevent spoofed robocalls. It is illegal for telemarketers (who primarily engage in robocalling) to contact you after joining these lists. You can add your number to both lists online. Also, you can call 1 (877) 676-0773 and 1 (888) 382-1222 to join the Louisiana DNC list and National DNC lists, respectively.
- Ignore incoming calls from numbers you cannot recognize. If you answer a call and suspect it is a spoofed call, hang up immediately and report it.
If you discover your phone number is being spoofed, take the following steps:
- Use third-party call-blocking applications to block numbers that are not in your phone contact list temporarily. Doing this will relieve you from the distracting call notifications at that moment.
- Set a voicemail message to inform callers that your number was spoofed and advise them not to engage with such scammers.
- File complaints with your phone company, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and your local law enforcement agency. To register a complaint with the FCC, use their online complaint form or call 1 (888) 225-5322.
Does Louisiana Have Anti-Spoofing Laws?
Yes. In 2009, the Louisiana State Legislature, through a bill titled Louisiana Anti-Caller ID Spoofing Act, consented to protect Louisianians from phone spoofing scams. State Senator Neil Riser was the first to introduce this bill. The law makes it illegal for anyone or entity to mislead or defraud call recipients deliberately using falsified Caller IDs. It, however, exempts state, municipal, or federal law enforcement or investigative agencies. Investigators other than the state or federal investigators are not exempted from the provisions of this Act. Louisiana anti-spoofing act allows a private right of action. Individuals can seek money damages against violators and get up to three times the actual damages. It also empowers the Louisiana Attorney General and District Attorneys to seek monetary penalties against violators up to $10,000 per violation.
The Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009 also describes as unlawful the practice of altering caller ID with the intent to harm or defraud. The penalty for each violation of this Act shall not exceed $10,000 or three times that amount for each day of a continuing violation.
What are Common Phone Scams involving Caller ID Spoofing in Louisiana?
Phone scams involving Caller ID spoofing are tricky. Many live phone calls and robocalls placed by scammers in Louisiana are usually spoofed to mimic phone numbers of well-known organizations. Applications that provide reverse phone lookup services can help identify these calls and prevent scams. The following phone scams are rampant in Louisiana and are majorly executed using Caller ID spoofing:
- Jury duty scams
- IRS scams
- Debt relief scams
- Utility scams
- Lottery scams
- Charity scams
- Telemarketing scams
- Bank scams
- Insurance scam