I learned a new term today. It's called spoofing. More specifically, it's the use of a "false" phone number on your caller id. It is used by telemarketers and is completely legal. I couldn't believe it. The law only makes it illegal for this deception if the intent is to do harm.
I was totally and completely ticked off, after phone calls to my attorney general and the FCC of learning that without an identity of the company who has called me about 20 times over the last three days, despite requests to be removed from their list, that I had nothing I could do. I did add my name to the Do Not Call registry, but that won't do much for 30 days.
So, I called my Senator. I am still waiting to hear back from them.
Then I created a petition at Change. Org. Petition for more stringent regulations on spoofing. And another on Whitehouse.gov. Petition for the President to work with Congress and the Senate on Spoofing Laws.
I do get a lot of views, so I am asking you to consider this issue. Sign the petitions if you agree, and please share with your friends.
Jennifer, a Citizen on a Soapbox
I admire your efforts. I learned about how this caller ID spoofing works at http://www.callercenter.com/articles/calleridspoofing.html and I'm alarmed that such a technique of hiding the caller's identity is even allowed. I don't think it does anybody any good. It only tricks the recipient.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I am alarmed too, which is why I made the petitions. I have been spreading the word to my friends, most of whom have never heard of this.
ReplyDelete