It’s not just you. Scammers are getting better and better at mimicking legitimate businesses, government entities, and investment firms. Using AI-generated voices and ‘spoofed’ (fake) local phone numbers, many of our clients don’t realize they’ve received an illegal marketing or scam call until it’s too late.
Federal law makes it illegal for companies to fake their caller ID if they intend to defraud or mislead you. Although some companies may lawfully hide their numbers, most companies using spoofed caller IDs are violating the Truth in Caller ID Act. National telephone consumer protection lawyer Jibrael S. Hindi might help you obtain financial damages if a company unlawfully spoofed its caller ID.
Caller ID ‘spoofing’ occurs when a caller sends a fake phone number or name to your caller ID using a special computer program. The number and identifying information provided are not the real caller’s phone number and/or name. The most common forms of caller ID spoofing include the following:
Many companies use fake local numbers to place marketing calls because it increases the chances you’ll answer the phone. Likewise, scam artists may send false identifying information to your phone to convince you they’re calling from a legitimate government entity.
The Truth in Caller ID Act makes it illegal for any company to send misleading or inaccurate caller ID information to your phone if they intend to defraud, harm, or wrongfully obtain money from you. Spoofing involves sending consumers fake information, but it does not prevent companies or individuals from blocking their contact information for privacy. An experienced consumer protection lawyer might help you file a spoofing complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and obtain financial damages under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
Though victims of serious scams might receive restitution if federal prosecutors charge illegal callers under the Truth in Caller ID Act, you cannot sue for damages directly under this federal law. Instead, an experienced TCPA attorney might sue the company under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The TCPA prohibits telemarketers from using computer programs – including the programs necessary to spoof numbers and caller ID information – to place unwanted calls. It also covers spam text messages and unsolicited robocalls using accurate caller ID information.
The right consumer protection lawyer might help you obtain $500 per unlawful call or text. In caller ID spoofing cases, damages might be awarded up to $1,500 for each call or text because these often involve intentional legal violations. The TCPA also permits your lawyer to demand actual damages if you lost money or property through a caller ID scam.
If you’re being harassed or tricked by companies using fake phone numbers or names, immediately contact the Law Offices of Jibrael S. Hindi. His experienced TCPA team might identify illegal spoofing and help you obtain financial damages without charging any upfront fees. Call (844) 542-7235 or connect with us online to schedule a free case review.