One California woman enduring hundreds of harassing phone calls every week from a perpetrator manipulating the caller-id of her cell phone and land line appears to be short of finding resolve anytime soon.Receiving hundreds of incoming calls from a perpetrator manipulating her caller id to display what appear to be calls from her friends,family or even the security company that patrols her suburban neighborhood are examples of why the Truth In Caller Id Act is long over due.
The news from U.S. Senator Feinstein regarding S. 30, "Truth in Caller ID Act" was not good news for this victim or the billions of consumers nationwide that may be combatting the use of caller id spoof technology in the very near future.
The legislation that would outlaw the use of caller id spoof and manipulation of the caller id by 3rd parties is stuck in what can best be described as a political log jam.
What should consumers and victims do?
This is a question that I am asked far too frequently and my answer remains the same, don't trust caller id, it is not full proof and do not provide any personal identifying information to any person by phone unless you have confirmed the source by telephoning the individual or entity and verifying the caller's legitimacy independent of the caller-id.
Millions of unknowing consumers relying upon the caller id, answer their phones believing that the caller is Wells Fargo Bank or their local utility company only to later discover that they have been dupped by a unscrupulous perp looking to obtain that one piece of personal identifying information that will assist them committing financial crimes or worse.
Vulnerable consumers deserve better than this, caller id spoof and other electronic means allowing individuals and entities to manipulate caller id need to be stopped now the people deserve better than false hope and empty promises.
Here is what one California resident who is being victimized by caller id spoof received by mail from U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein's office regarding the subject.
Dear XXXX,
Thank you for taking the time to express your concerns relating to caller identification (ID) service. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.
Most companies that offer basic telephone service also offer a caller identification (ID) service that can provide customers with the telephone number or name of a calling party. Unfortunately, some callers are using technology that allows them to alter the name or phone number that appears on a recipient's caller ID display. This practice, also known as "caller ID spoofing," is not only extremely frustrating, but is also often employed in efforts to scam or manipulate consumers.
On January 7, 2009, Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) introduced S. 30, the "Truth in Caller ID Act." This bill would amend the Communications Act of 1934 to make it unlawful for any person, in connection with any telecommunications service or Internet protocol (IP)-enabled voice service, to cause any caller identification service to knowingly transmit misleading or inaccurate caller ID information with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value.
S. 30 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, of which I am not a member. However, please know that I will be sure to keep your comments in mind should this bill or similar legislation come before me for consideration in the full Senate.
Again, thank you for writing to me. I hope you will continue to keep in touch on issues of importance to you. If you should have any further questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.
Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
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