Spoofing In Georgia Could Be Banned
Posted on Nov 26, 2019 5:34pm PST
This year, the Georgia Legislature may pass a bill to end what is known
as “spoofing.” What is spoofing you say?
Telemarketers use “spoofing” technology to contact consumers.
Spoofing allows for telemarketing numbers to appear as though they are
calling from a local or familiar number. This action makes it more likely
that consumers will answer their calls. However, these numbers are usually
fake. If you try to call that number back, it either rings and rings and
rings...or simply disconnects.
Criminals use this technology in all ways. They can harass a person by
calling (or texting) them repeatedly from a fake number. I have also seen
cases where the person calls a school with a bomb threat, from a spoofed
phone number. It is incredibly hard for law enforcement to trace that
phone number back to the criminal.
The practice of “spoofing” throughout the United States is
common. Now that cell phones have taken over landlines, the providers
such as Google Voice and What’s App have allowed people to have
as many additional numbers as they want, complaints to the Federal Communications
Commission have skyrocketed with over 200,000 complaints each year. The
FCC has also put together a little video that explains this worldwide
problem that I’ve posted here:
SPOOFING
In Georgia,
State Representative Rick Williams wants to change that. He said he would introduce a bill that will allow
a $2,000 fine against any business or person who provides inaccurate Caller
ID information with the intent of
defrauding or scamming Georgia residents. Of course, my question for Rep. Rick Williams would be how would he find
the spoofers?
Let’s pretend this happens to you. The first step is to call the
police and file a report. Then, the police have to investigate this number
and find the original caller, who is likely outside the United States.
In my opinion, this proposed law has no teeth and no incentive to even
call the police. Add an incentive to report these spoofers and you got
yourself a deal.
The general assembly will consider this bill in January 2020 when they
meet in Georgia for its annual legislative session.