STURGEON BAY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Thursday, May 12, 2016

IRS "Spoofing" Phone Calls


Caller ID "spoofing" occurs when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your Caller ID display to disguise their identity. Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally.  U.S. law and FCC rules prohibit most types of spoofing. 
The IRS phone call is the most popular “spoofing” scam call that is affecting so many people.  Since they are “spoofing” calls, there is no way to track who they are or where they are calling from.   
How do I report suspected spoofing?
If you receive a call and you suspect Caller ID information has been falsified, or you think the rules for protecting the privacy of your telephone number have been violated, you can file a complaint with the FCC. You have multiple options for filing a complaint with the FCC:
§  By phone: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322); TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322); ASL: 1-844-432-2275
§  By mail (please include your name, address, contact information and as much detail about your complaint as possible)
       Federal Communications Commission
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20554