Telemarketers’ Caller ID Tricks: The Use and Legitimacy of Local Numbers and Caller ID Spoofing

Introduction

Telemarketers often exploit certain techniques to increase the likelihood that people will answer their calls. One such common tactic is the use of local telephone numbers, which can make their calls appear legitimate and trustworthy. This practice, sometimes referred to as 'Call Spoofing,' is a controversial aspect of modern telemarketing and can be a source of frustration for many.

What is Caller ID Spoofing?

Caller ID Spoofing is a technique where telemarketers manipulate the caller ID information displayed on the recipient's device to make their calls appear as if they are coming from a local number or a trusted source. This method is often associated with fraudulent activities, but it can also be used for legitimate purposes, such as from doctors or lawyers calling patients or clients.

How Do Telemarketers Use Local Numbers?

Telemarketers frequently use local telephone numbers to increase the chances of reaching a potential customer. By using a local number, they can create a sense of familiarity and trust, making it more likely that the recipient will pick up the call.

Understanding Caller ID Spoofing

Caller ID spoofing is a feature of some VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone systems that allows users to set a different phone number for their caller ID information. Ghosting, or appending another number to the caller ID information, is not typically something that an individual can do without the permission of their service provider.

Single-line accounts and even some multi-line accounts do not provide this functionality. Permission to change the caller ID is generally handled by the service provider. However, certain specialized phone services such as T1/PRI or VoIP can allow businesses to purchase and lease fixed number phone lines, which can be used to route incoming and outgoing calls. In the UK, for example, these can often be free phone numbers like 0800 and 0330, which are easy to lease and reassign for short-term needs.

The Tricks of Caller ID Spoofing

To successfully ghost local phone numbers, telemarketers can either purchase local virtual numbers or spoof local numbers, hoping you'll answer because you'll assume the number is local and familiar. This tactic is widely used in the telemarketing industry as it increases the likelihood of the call being answered and can decrease the chances of the call being marked as spam or directed to voicemail.

One interesting development is that some service providers, like ATT, are now marking calls from suspected telemarketers with a 'Spam Risk' identifier, making it easier for users to filter out such calls.

For those who have relocated, changes in area codes can make it easier to filter out unwanted calls. In the case of relocating out of a specific zip code and area code, calls from that region are likely to be spam, making it simpler to filter and reject these calls or send them to voicemail.

Conclusion

While Caller ID spoofing can be a legitimate tool for certain industries, it is often used by telemarketers for deceptive purposes. Understanding how this tactic works and being aware of the methods used by service providers to combat it can help individuals better protect themselves against unwanted and potentially fraudulent calls. It is crucial to remain vigilant and utilize tools like 'Spam Risk' identifiers and call filters to reduce the likelihood of being deceived by these tactics.