As you look for ways to make anonymous calls, you are bound to encounter the term “Caller ID spoofing.” To briefly recap its definition, it means hiding your personal information and putting a dummy in its place. You can spoof just about anything from calls, texts to emails.
It offers privacy on demand.
With an offer that tempting, you know pranksters are the first in line to use it. After all, what kind of prank caller would say no to anonymous calls? In the past, only tech-savvy people could make spoof calls. But now? It’s a different story.
There are plenty of apps, websites, and service providers that can do the heavy-lifting for you. In fact, even Ownage Pranks has a spoof call app. With the press of a button, you can instantly hide your personal information and create a front in its place. It is that simple! Now that you know you can, the question is, should you?
Read More: What Is A Spoof Call?
Is Spoofing A Phone Number Illegal?
It doesn’t take a ton of research to determine that the U.S. government is not a big fan of caller I.D. spoofing. With pushy telemarketers and scam callers, spoofing has a reputation, and admittedly, it is not very good. But does that mean it is illegal? Well, yes and no, it really depends.
Yes, It Can Be Illegal
Its poor reputation did not spring out of anywhere. Spoofing is the go-to method for a slew of illegal activities. So while the tech in itself is not harmful, you cannot account for how other people use it. Anonymity, especially in the wrong hands, can be very dangerous.
Criminals often use spoofing for anonymous or misleading calls. Unlike the *67, which only offers a superficial cover with service providers’ help, spoofing can evade the authorities. This is a very big no-no.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says that caller I.D. spoofing is illegal since it is a “caller identification service [that] transmits misleading or inaccurate caller I.D. information [with the]...intent to defraud, cause harm or wrongly obtain anything of value.” You can read more about this in the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009.
When the FCC discovers any fraudulent activities, you can have up to $10,000 in penalties. It doesn’t matter if the spoofed calls come from overseas. If it harms U.S. citizens like the SSA, IRS, and tech support scams - an international lawsuit ensues. In summary, yes, it can be illegal.
No, It Doesn’t Always Have To Be
There are legitimate uses to the tech. As long as it doesn’t attempt to “defraud, cause harm, or illegally obtain anything of value,” you are good to go. You can make personal calls without having to worry about your caller I.D. information reaching the wrong person.
Does it seem like an excessive step?
Maybe. But don’t forget that over 40% of all calls in the U.S. come from scammers. These people are professional thieves. They know how to get your money and identity without your noticing. When you use spoofed phone numbers, you can maintain your privacy.
Besides using it for daily use, it can come in handy for the occasional prank call. During April’s Fools, birthdays, or regular weekends - spoofing is a reliable way to mask your phone number. Whether it is your local Wendy’s or close family friend, you can stay incognito with no problem.
Spoofing phone numbers don’t have to be illegal. It is all about knowing where to draw the line.
So, When Is Spoofing Illegal?
In a process known as phone spoofing, fake caller ID information is utilized to conceal the true identity of an incoming caller. Scammers frequently use fictitious phone numbers to appear to be phoning from a reputable business or organization.
Scammers and hackers can spoof caller ID in a variety of ways. Social engineering operates on the same underlying idea as email and IP spoofing.
The caller employs a forgery of a local or well-known phone number to impersonate a trusted contact or authority, evading detection. Phone spoofing is frequently used to obtain the victim's personal information or money.
There are several cases where spoofing is illegal. You have to assess the kinds of calls you make to ensure you aren’t crossing the line. This is very crucial. Never use your personal definition for what could harm or attempt to defraud. You need something more objective than that.
There are 3 types of calls you can make with your spoofed number that raises all the red flags:
Spam Calls/ Robocalls
The no. 1 use of spoofed numbers is for spam or robocalls. They use pre-recorded messages and auto-dialers to mass message neighborhoods at a time. Robocalls are used for scams that target the most vulnerable sectors in the U.S.: the elderly, immigrants, and those dependent on aid.
They try to appear as local and as trustworthy as possible. With neighborhood spoofing, scammers can imitate your country code and state code - making it look like a local business.
Strike One: They become a misleading or inaccurate caller.
The reality is that they can be making the call in a different state, or worse, a different country. This is how you get so many reports of Indian scammers posing as IRS officials.
This is what they do:
When you answer the call and listen to their pre-recorded message, they already have something on you. They have a record of your phone number being active, which means they can call you again. When you call their toll-free number because you believe the IRS is on the other line, they have you hooked.
Strike Two: They impersonate a U.S. government body or private company.
You are going head to head with a professional scammer. They know how to squeeze out information with the intent to steal from you. They are after your personal information, credit card number, and more.
Strike Three: They harm and wrongly obtain anything of value.
And with 3 strikes, you are out.
If you find yourself at the end of a robocall - you can report the important details to the FCC, and they can handle the rest. They will work alongside your service provider and trace the caller.
Read More: Indian Scammer Numbers You Can Call!
Scam Calls
Spoofed numbers can also be for scam calls. They use it to keep their anonymity while trying to get your money and other relevant information. Doesn’t it sound familiar? It’s like a robocall. Here is how you can tell the difference:
Robocalls are scam calls, but not all scam calls are robocalls.
Another distinction you can make is with the content of the call. A robocall is automated, so everything is pre-recorded. The voice you hear on the other line is made to sound very official. They pose as a “reliable” source and prompt you to call them back. When you do, that’s when they get you. By using your fear, they get you to come to them.
Scam calls, on the other hand, don't have to be automated. There are still scammers who prefer the old-school method where they call you first. They use the carrot and the stick method. First, they pose a threat, then offer to help you address the threat. They use all kinds of techniques to convince you.
With these types of scammers on the loose - you can understand why spoofing is under a tight leash.
Harassment Calls
The last type of illegal spoofed call you can make is a harassment call. It is characterized by its frequency, content, and intent. Harassment calls are incessant - it could mean 10-20 calls within minutes of each other.
Can you imagine 30 consecutive calls on your personal phone? If you turn it off, you have no way to contact friends and family. If you leave it on, you might not get any reprieve. And since the number is spoofed, you can’t block them.
Their content can range from silence, heavy breathing to insults, and curses. The intent behind these calls is usually to disrupt and disturb the victim. These calls always come from a malicious point.
Is Spoofing Okay For Prank Calls?
Generally speaking, yes, spoofing is okay for prank calls. There is nothing wrong with spoofing numbers when you stay on the right side of the law - the same goes for prank calls. The only time it is not okay is when it stops being a prank call. The biggest mistake a prankster can make is to misjudge their bit and cross the line. Spoofed number or not - it can be grounds for legal action.
When you are making your prank calls remember to go over your script and avoid calling multiple times. A prank call here and there is so common, it’s to be expected. No one calls the police over a harmless prank call.
But remember, all it takes is one wrong move. You get the wrong target on the phone, and your prank call crosses the line - that’s it. They can and will track you down. Spoofing makes it difficult, but not impossible.
If you want to look for other ways for making your prank calls, Ownage Pranks has you covered. You can either request a prank call or use our prank call app. We have a ton of pranking experience so we know the sweet spot between a hilarious prank call and the wrong side of the law.
Final Verdict: spoofing a phone number doesn’t have to be illegal. It has everyday applications that are perfectly okay. Just be wary when you do use it because it is a popular method among scammers and crooks.
P.S. The U.S. is cracking down on robocalls and overseas scammers, especially those trying to pose as the IRS. There may be policy changes in the future that might change the status of spoofing. Keep an eye on the FCC and stay updated with their rules on spoofing.
Read next: Ownage Pranks Shows You How To Make A Spoof Call
