Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Phone Scammers are Using Real Phone Numbers - So PLEASE COMPLAIN to the FTC

Today I got a call from the Social Security Administration.  The Caller ID read 1-800-325-0778, which is the SSA's phone number for TTY calls.

Screenshot of SSA's Phone Numbers
I left the call go to voicemail.  A message was left, and it was a robocall.  Here's a screenshot of the visual voicemail: 


So do I block this caller ID against future calls?  Yes.  I am not deaf, so I do not expect to get calls from this phone number, except for more robocalls.

However, much more importantly, I reported this call to the FCC.  The thing is, scammers can use whatever phone numbers they choose, including Comcast's, your bank's local branch, the White House, or even your own phone number. 

PLEASE COMPLAIN
Between the phone companies and the FCC, they need to resolve this issue of faked Caller ID numbers.  They will only do it when there is enough noise from the public.  So, go to https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov, and choose Imposter or Scam, then fill out as much as possible.  Not every field is required.