What is Caller ID Spoofing? Is Caller ID Spoofing Illegal?

Question: What is Caller ID Spoofing? Is Caller ID Spoofing Illegal?

"Untraceable" (released January 2008) is a movie starring Diane Lane as an FBI agent who investigates cyber crimes. In the film a serial killer uses the latest and very real phone technology called a SpoofCard to help hide his identity.

But is "Spoofing" your caller ID legal? Before you consider caller ID spoofing your business line you need to understand what is, and is not legal.

Answer: Caller ID "Spoofing" is when someone deliberately alters information about where they are calling from so that false information appears on someone elses' caller ID device.

For example, if your real Caller ID information is Jovialias Burns Hosenpfepper, phone number 555-555-5555, but you change your information so that something else appears, this could be considered Caller ID Spoofing.

Is Caller ID Spoofing Illegal?

Yes, and no.

H.R. 251: Truth in Caller ID Act of 2007 (to amend the Communications Act of 1934) was passed the House on June 12, 2007. As of May 2008, it had not passed the Senate or been signed by the President. But Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules do apply and prohibit telemarketers from using using spoofed, misleading, or faked caller ID information.

Businesses that violate FCC laws can be fined but police and other law enforcement personnel are exempt from FCC anti-spoofing regulations.