PHISHERS USE FAKE CALLER ID NUMBERS
In a new phishing scam, con artists are using phony caller ID numbers to solicit personal information and money. Thanks to the phony caller Ids, the “spoofers” are able to convince victims that they’re receiving a call from a bank, credit union or credit card company. The scammers use this technique to acquire sensitive personal and financial information, or even money, from their victims.
The frightening aspect of this scam is that few people would ever think that the names and phone numbers appearing on their caller ID screens were not genuine. However, scammers are already using phony caller Ids and are posing as representatives of banks, credit card companies, and government agencies. The problem has reached the point where Senator Bill Nelson from Florida is sponsoring legislation to ban the transmission of false caller ID numbers. “A similar bill has already sailed through the house,” reports ABCnews.go.com.
Loss Prevention Recommendations:
1. Do not assume that the information displayed on your phone, regarding who the caller is, is accurate. It can easily be manipulated.
2. Never give out personal or financial information over the telephone unless you know EXACTLY with whom you are talking.
3. If you have doubts about who is on the phone, call back the number of record at your financial institution or credit card company.
4. Read articles about Phishing and Vishing on our web site, in newsletters, on the Internet, etc.
5. Visit www.onguardonline.gov to take interactive quizzes designed to enlighten you about identity theft, phishing, spam and online-shopping scams. You can also find detailed guidance on how to monitor your credit histories, use effective passwords, and recover from identity theft.
6. If you are a victim of phishing/Vishing, ask your financial institution or credit card company to block and reissue all compromised credit/debit cards. Report the incident to the three major credit bureaus and order a credit report.
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