| Most people do not realize that there is a record | | | | into play. If someone calling for information under |
| of each phone call or text message they make | | | | false pretenses can get their number to appear |
| or receive. This information is held by your phone | | | | as something else, the person taking the call can |
| service providers, and should only be available to | | | | be fooled into thinking the call is legitimate. |
| you. In some cases, this information can be | | | | As an example, someone may plan an elaborate |
| subpoenaed by a lawyer for a criminal case, but | | | | pretext to get enough information to get credit |
| these should not be available to anyone else. | | | | cards in your name. To get those credit cards, |
| However, there are some that obtain these and | | | | they may need more information than they can |
| will sell them for a price to anyone willing to buy | | | | get through other means. They may use caller ID |
| them. The information contained can be used in | | | | spoofing so that it appears they are calling from |
| scams and identity theft, and this is often used in | | | | your bank, or from your credit card company. |
| conjunction with caller ID spoofing to complete | | | | The person answering the phone won't know the |
| the illusion of legitimacy. | | | | difference. They may also use caller ID spoofing |
| While caller ID spoofing and the selling of phone | | | | to make calls appear to come from a mutual |
| records seem to be unrelated, one is used in | | | | friend or acquaintance. This puts them off guard |
| combination with the other. One of the most | | | | and may mean they give up the information |
| common reasons someone may illegally purchase | | | | crook needs. |
| your phone records is in an attempt to steal your | | | | If you find that your family is getting calls asking |
| financial identity. They will call those you know by | | | | about sensitive information, you should consider |
| getting the information from your phone records, | | | | that your phone records have been sold. You |
| and then use a pretext to get even more | | | | should call your phone company immediately, and |
| information. They will call numbers that you call | | | | you should also see if you can notify the |
| most frequently, and attempt to find out your | | | | authorities. You may also want to call and have |
| maiden name or your date of birth. | | | | some of your accounts frozen to prevent theft. |
| When calling, they know that some will innocently | | | | You may also find it wise to sign up with a credit |
| give up this information under the assumption that | | | | monitoring service so you can find out as soon as |
| all callers are honest and that they are actually | | | | possible if credit has been taken out in your name |
| helping you out. They also know that some are | | | | without your approval. If you're getting random |
| not as trusting, and are alert to phone scams and | | | | phone calls from a potential thief, you can try to |
| pretexting. This is when caller ID spoofing comes | | | | find the owner of a phone number here. |