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
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20554
