News : \'Spoofing\' Phone calls becoming an issue for Vinton Residents

The Vinton Police Department has been receiving an increasing number of calls and complaints about "Spoofing" phone calls, usually from Telemarketers, in the Vinton area recently.

"Spoofing" is a general term used when telemarketers use technology to "spoof" the recipient of a phone call into believing the call is coming from someone locally.

"Telemarketers are using technology that permits them to hijack caller ID systems in order to make the number that appears on your caller ID appear to be from a local number." Jeff Tilson, Vinton Police Chief said today.

"It may look like a call is coming from a local merchant, neighbor, and in some instances, even the Vinton Police Department or Benton County Sheriff's Office." Tilson added.

Residents are urged to beware of these calls. Just because it appears to be a local number does not mean it really is. .

"If your caller ID says it's a local number, but you get an automated message, or the person on the other end of the line starts a sales pitch, or even starts asking you to verify personal information, hang up." Tilson added.

The main reason they are employing this technology is to keep victims on the line. "It's easy to hang up on a telemarketer, or to not even answer the call if you don't recognize the number on your caller ID." Tilson added. "These people are trying to trick you into believing it's someone you would offend if you hang up on them. It keeps you on the line longer."

"Spoofing" calls should be reported to the FCC, rather than local law enforcement. There is little, if anything, local law enforcement can do to combat this problem, since the majority of these calls are made from out-of-state, or even from foreign countries.

Complaints of this type of activity should be registered directly with the FCC at the following website: http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm , or by calling

1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322).

Attached is an FCC flier on the topic.