FML. "spoofing"

MrsWhiteonWhiteSt · December 2011

So prior to a few weeks ago I had never heard of spoofing. Apparently, you can buy something to make your caller ID show up as someone else's number. It's marketed as a practical joke.

Well, I also found that telemarketers/collectors are doing this. You know when it says "we won't buy or sell your info" when you enter your number? Well I guess it's important b/c companies are selling #s. Guess who's got stolen?

About 2 weeks ago I had 3 calls from people asking if I had called them from my number. My phone, which sits on my counter all day hadn't called anyone but my sister. The 3rd callers was a young'ish guy who explained that this happened to his friend and 4 me to look into it. He said they said something about a payday loan. I called Sprint and they said they've heard of it but unfortunately there's nothing they can do. I guess now my 1st name shows up when my phone is making the actual calls- they said it makes the number less likely to be sold/stolen again.

I've probably had 20 calls in the last 2 weeks of people asking if I called them. I'm SO SO SO over it.

MelissaSue81 · December 2011

how obnoxious. So these are total strangers getting calls from your number?

MrsWhiteonWhiteSt · December 2011

MelissaSue81:
how obnoxious. So these are total strangers getting calls from your number?

Yep exactly.

Mrs_Hark · December 2011

i get TONS of 'wrong' calls on my cell ALL.THE.DAMN.TIME.

i never answer if i don't know the # or a name doesn't show up (if the # is programmed into my phone)

though i don't think my problem is the same as yours. my cell is 866-#### and i know some companies use 1-866 instead of 1-800, and dumb people must be just dialing 866-#### and getting my phone. most of the calls i get are insurance in nature (health/auto) at least that's what i get form the messages i get... yep the (idiots) who call the wong # 50% of the time leave mwe a message! "uh, yeah i got a call from you, this is soandso... blah blah blah" i usually delete the message half way through

i'm sooo sooo tempted to changed my voice mail to "this is the private vm of myname, i am not affiliated with any insurance companies, health auto or otherwise. if you are not trying to reach myname hang up, listen to the message you received and dial the damn number they gave you correctly!!