Do You Know What "Call Spoofing" Is?

Posted: September 24, 2019, 7:56PM

Call spoofing is when a caller "poses" as a local business, person or agency. This is a technique used by scammers to mimic a legitimate phone number. Consumers believe that the call is from a legitimate recognizable business but that isn't the case.

Reports indicate those making the unsolicted calls will use various exucses as they try to steal the consumer's personal information such as their Social Security number, Medicare number, credit card number, etc. They may be aggressive and issue threats.

Do NOT give the caller personal information.

Stay calm and don't feel pressured by threats.

Hang up and call the company directly to verify the legitmacy of the call.

If you think you have been a victim of identity theft, contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protectin Division at 1 800 368-8808 or visit the AG's online site at www.wvago.gov. For those outside WV, contact your state's Attorney General, the FBI or the Federal Trade Commission.

Source: Attorney General Morrisey Warns consumers of Spike in Call Spoofing, Sept 23, 2019.