The phones at Discover RV in Lodi, Calif., started ringing off the hook — and not with calls from customers.
This story by Becca Habegger originally appeared in ABC 10 Connect.
It continued into the next day. Calls slowed over the weekend, but then the work week returned and so did the calls. Phone numbers with area codes from Texas, Georgia and other states.
Discover RV owner Jason Leggitt said he believes his business’ phone number has been essentially hijacked by scammers, displayed as the call-back number when someone targeted by the scam receives a call.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) calls this Caller ID Spoofing.
“Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used in fraudulent activity, or sold illegally,” the FCC says. “You may not be able to tell right away if an incoming call is spoofed. Be extremely careful about responding to any request for personal identifying information.”
Spoofing is illegal, Under the Truth in Caller ID Act, when the intent is to “defraud, cause harm or wrongly obtain anything of value,” the FCC says. “Anyone who is illegally spoofing can face penalties of up to $10,000 for each violation.”
Employees who have spoken with misled callers say some people are simply returning a missed call. Other callers say they are trying to finish signing up for a deal with AT&T. Discover RV employees have to inform the caller that not only do they have the wrong number, but they are likely walking into a scam.
Jose Guzman, finance manager at Discover RV, said a silver lining to the chaotic cacophony of calls is that he might be able to help someone avoid falling for a scam. On Tuesday evening, he fielded a call from a woman in Atlanta and urged her not to give any information to anyone calling from that phone number.