Beware of caller ID spoofing: Your teens and young children can be deceived

What is caller ID spoofing?The FTC should step in as they have with key
Phone caller ID Spoofing is faking the caller ID of alogging spyware  this past year, and halt this
phone. It lets you call a person and have anybusiness practice today! We need response from our
telephone number you wish be displayed on thenation's law makers - no more excuses!
persons telephone. Caller ID spoofing is bad newsIf you are a victim of cyberstalking you are not
especially for young children and teens who havealone! Survivors In Action specifically works with
come to rely on what they see when the phonefamilies who are cyberstalked.
rings and give private information out over theBelow is a list of caller ID spoofing companies:
phone thinking its safe, when in fact is veryCALLER ID SPOOF COMPANIES: PARTIAL LIST
dangerous.2004-CURRENT
This is creating an outlet for child predators toNAME: Owner/Developer Company/Other Year
disguise or even create a familiar phone number and1. Call 2005
voice that a child trusts, which will lead to disaster.2. Kevin Poulsen Security Focus 2004
Parents need to be aware that caller ID is not fool3. Places calls for free 2006
proof and should not be relied upon. If a youngster is4. Condom CDYNE 2007
allowed to answer the phone enforce the rule5. 2005
that they should not give out private info like gate6. 2006
codes, never say "mom and dad are not at home."7. 2007
Make sure your children never give out information8. Allows monthly membership 2006
should a stranger call and want to know any personal9. LiarCard Tel Tech phone card product 2008
information even if the caller id says police, a utility10. LoveDetect Tel Tech phone card product 2008
company or your childs school.11. Closed 2005
Here is an example of how Caller ID Spoof works:12. PhoneGangster 2007
Caller ID Spoof can be used on friends or used as a13. SecretCalls.net Shut down 2005
prank.  For a predator, they can even disguise him14. Ipod appl. Incl voice changer/record 2008
or herself to appear as a family member. Many caller15. SpoofApp3G 2008
ID spoofing services give you ability to change how16. Free minutes 2005
your voice sounds and even change a male voice into17. Can download onto computer 2007
a female voice or female into male voice!18. Spoofcom Based in Canada 2005
Today, a simple thing like relying on caller ID has now19. 2008
become a method to harass and even torture millions20. Based in Canada 2005
and there is no end in sight. The majority of stalking21. SpoofTel 2005
victims report being harassed by phone and caller-id22. Based in UK/shut down/must use Paypal 2008
spoof technology has been used. Sadly, it is not23. Star38 Jason Jepson Closed? 2004
known if any cases that involve the use of caller ID24. 2005
spoof have been prosecuted within the United States25. StealthRecorderCard Use for professionals, can
to date.send recordings by email 2008
Alexis A. Moore, President and CEO of Survivors In26. Telespoof Investigated by FCC Use toll-free
Action and a Cyberstalking expert had this to say:1-800# 2004
"Today, child predators have the tools that they27. For 213 and 415 area codes only 2007
need at their finger tips and as our society continues28. 2007
to become more hi-tech the predator will become29. Inc. voice changing/call record/online contacts
that much more sophisticated."2008
How can it be legal for a person to change theirGeneral History: Calling cards were used at first, but
phone number and caller ID?  Well it  is legal and thenow spoof users can download and pay per minute
datafurnishing industry selling our private records isor purchase in bulk (ie 700 minutes for $100).Some
legal so the best thing we can all do for now untilsites now offer free minutes as a ‘teaser’
legislation is passed and enforced is to understandto get users’ business. Many offer voice
that caller ID spoofing exists and that you need tochangers and recorders for an additional minimal fee.
protect yourself until our antiquated laws catch up.