Phone spoofing is a way of misrepresenting the originating telephone caller's ID to a call recipient. The primary reason a caller will spoof caller ID is to disguise identity for either legitimate reasons or otherwise. Phone spoofing is not a new technology. New Jerseyans could manipulate caller ID information in the past, using some expensive equipment. However, with technological advancements, spoofing caller ID is now a lot cheaper. Phone spoofing no longer requires any specialized hardware. A number of companies even offer online spoofing services, while some phone spoofing mobile applications also exist.
Caller ID spoofing is not entirely illegal in New Jersey, and of course, the United States. Its main appeal to phone scammers is the ability to cheaply manipulate caller IDs more frequently, making it hard for law enforcement to track them. There are many legitimate reasons to conceal phone numbers. Doctors may choose to display their office numbers rather than personal contacts while calling patients from their cell phones. Also, law enforcement agents can spoof their office phone numbers when investigating criminal cases to conceal personal identities. Phone spoofing is illegal when intended to cause harm or defraud a call recipient. The following are some illegitimate uses of phone spoofing in New Jersey:
New Jersey State Police Impersonation Scams
Phone scammers spoof New Jersey State Police contact numbers to extort residents, and such calls recipients rarely suspect frauds. The callers often speak with authority and demand payment to cancel warrants. Spoofing makes the calls appear as coming from the state police, allowing scammers to rip their targets off.
IRS Scams
Spoofing the caller ID of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for fraudulent purposes is a common practice in the United States. New Jersey residents lose a great deal of money to tax-related scams yearly. Fraudsters mislead victims into disclosing their social security numbers while also engaging scare tactics.
Telemarketing Scams
Some telemarketers use Caller ID spoofing to call New Jerseyans who have opted out of receiving unsolicited calls. It is illegal for telemarketing companies to do this. They are required to contact consumers using phone numbers that are associated with their companies. Such phone numbers must also be reachable by consumers.
Reverse phone lookup websites can help New Jersey residents determine spoofed Caller IDs and prevent scams. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) encourages phone users to report illegally spoofed calls.
Why Is Phone Spoofing Illegal?
While phone spoofing has legitimately recognized uses in New Jersey, some groups of individuals spoof Caller IDs for fraudulent activities. When this happens, then such spoofing is illegal. The Truth in Caller ID Act describes as illegal any misleading Caller ID information with the intent to cause harm or steal.
Phone scammers favor illegal phone spoofing when preying on their targets. They often claim to be with some government agencies or pose as employees of familiar legitimate organizations. With the spate of phone scams in the United States, many phone users have learned the art of ignoring phone calls from unknown numbers. For this reason, fraudsters falsify their identities to gain the trust of their targets and then rip them off. In some instances, they choose numbers with similar area codes as their targets because they are more likely to answer such calls. Scammers know better than engage potential victims using their real identities. It is easy for them to switch phone numbers and display names frequently to avoid being tracked by law enforcement. To know if a call is spoofed, search a phone lookup website for such a number. If such a number is not there, then it might be a spoofed call.
How Do You Know If Your Number Is Being Spoofed?
Phone scammers sometimes spoof the numbers of ordinary individuals. Be mindful if you start getting calls and messages in an unusual pattern and from different persons. Look closely at those numbers to be sure you did not initiate the communications. If they are mostly unknown numbers, then your phone number is perhaps being spoofed. If you get inundated, record a voicemail message explaining that some unknown persons are illegally using your number. Report such mischief online to the FCC or file complaints with your local law enforcement to avoid being incriminated.
How Can You Protect Yourself from Illegal Spoofed Calls?
Spoofed phone calls are markedly convincing. New Jerseyans must take precautions to avoid falling victim to scams perpetrated using illegally spoofed calls. Protect yourself from illegally spoofed phone calls by taking the following steps:
- Bear in mind that Caller ID spoofing is real and that you could also be a target. You are unlikely to be a victim if you have this consciousness.
- Ignore calls from phone numbers you do not recognize. If you answer a call and suspect it is spoofed, hang up immediately even if the caller tries to scare you into listening further. You may return such a call after you might have done a phone lookup on the number and have reasons to think it was legitimate. Also, make sure you are calling such a person or entity back on a trusted phone number.
- File complaints of spoofed calls online with the FCC or call 1 (888) 225-5322. You can also report cases of phone spoofing to the FTC by calling 1 (888) 382-1222 or online.
- Discuss with your phone company about call-blocking services or download some third-party applications offering such services.
- Do not give out personal information over the phone to anyone who claims to be with the government. Scammers are known for spoofing government agencies' Caller IDs to fool their targets. They sometimes extort naive individuals using spoofed robocalls.
- Join the DNC Registry developed by the FTC to avoid getting spoofed robocalls. Registration is free, and you can enroll by dialing 1 (888) 382-1222 from the number you wish to register.
Does New Jersey Have Anti-Spoofing Laws?
New Jersey State does not currently have any anti-spoofing law. However, The New Jersey General Assembly on December 15, 2014, collectively approved the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009. The Act prohibits the manipulation of Caller ID information. It makes it unlawful for any person or entity to purposely transmit spurious caller ID information to harm or defraud a called party.
First introduced by Senator Bill Nelson on January 7, 2009, it became public law on December 22, 2010, having passed some amendments at the Senate. The Act allows states to enforce its provisions and penalize violators with authorized intervention by the FCC. Persons or entities who deliberately violate this law will, upon conviction, pay fines of not more than $10,000 for each violation. They shall pay thrice of that amount for each day of a continuing violation.
What are Common Phone Scams involving Caller ID Spoofing in New Jersey?
Phones scammers are widely known to engage in Caller ID spoofing to fool their targets. Caller ID spoofing in New Jersey poses significant risks. Recipients of spoofed calls are more likely to be duped than if called using standard telephone calls. Individuals whose phone numbers are spoofed to defraud New Jerseyans also risk reputation damages. Websites that offer phone lookup services can help to avoid phone spoofing scams. New Jerseyans who fall victim to Caller ID spoofing scams can file complaints with the FCC. Phone scams involving Caller ID spoofing in New Jersey include:
- Law enforcement impersonation scams
- Tax scams
- Lottery scams
- Tech support scams
- Family Emergency scams
- Medical insurance scams
- Telemarketing scams
- Financial scams
- COVID-19 scams
- Vehicle warranty scams
- Social security scams