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3 On Your Side: Caller ID Spoofing

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- We've all been there. The phone rings during dinner, or when you're putting the kids to bed, and it's a telemarketer. The National Do-Not-Call Registry was put in place to stop these calls, but as 3 On Your Side Consumer Reporter Jim Donovan finds, some telemarketers are finding a way to get around the law and get you on the phone.

Even though Lindee Rochelle is on the National Do-Not-Call Registry, around twice a week a telemarketer rings her home office. She checks her caller ID before picking up the phone, but has noticed that some telemarketers aren't who they appear to be.

"I will go to the internet and search that phone number, and oh my goodness, look at that forum full of people complaining about that number," says Rochelle.

Lindee is a victim of caller ID spoofing. It happens when a caller disguises their name and phone number to make it look like they're someone else. Some telemarketers are using spoofing to get around the National Do-Not-Call Registry fraudulently pitching things like credit cards, mortgage relief and debt relief.

William Maxson with the Federal Trade Commission says spoofing is a growing problem. According to Maxson, "Each month when we look at our top number of complaints for do-not-call violations, spoofed caller ID name and number are always at the top."

Under the current rules, telemarketers are required to display accurate caller ID information. But when a call is spoofed, the number shown isn't real or the name of the caller is generic, like card services or customer service. Or as Maxson points out, "They use the name or number of a recognizable national brand or organization to give themselves a veil of legitimacy," making it difficult for consumers to screen out unwanted calls.

That's why the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse says it's important to keep a log of the spoofs you receive. Amber Yoo of the Clearinghouse suggests keeping track of "The date. The time. Was it a male or a female voice? What did they say? We recommend actually taking a photo of what your caller ID is showing you."

Then, report what you find to the FTC to investigate. According to Maxson, "We've already brought nearly a dozen cases against companies that are engaged in caller ID spoofing."

To file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission call 1-877-FTC-HELP or visit www.ftc.gov.

Reported by Jim Donovan, CBS3

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