It all starts with a lead list, which is a list of phone numbers. This could be a list of randomly generated phone numbers, a list of sequential phone numbers, or even a list of valid phone numbers (people who actually answer the phone or buy something) that the scammer purchased. Often this lead list completely ignores the Do Not Call Registry (but I still recommend you list your numbers there).

 

Once the scumbag has his/her lead list, they drop that list into their autodialer. An autodialer is just a device that will automatically dial the numbers on the list. Depending on how the dialer is set up, it could dial one number at a time or many at once.

 

Next comes the Caller-ID spoofing, which allows the scammer to make any name or number show up on your caller ID. Most spoofing is done using a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service or IP phone that uses VoIP to transmit calls over the internet. VoIP users can usually choose their preferred number or name to be displayed on the caller ID when they set up their account.

 

Believe it or now, some phone providers even offer spoofing services that work like prepaid calling cards. Customers pay for a PIN code to use when calling their provider, allowing them to select both the destination number they want to call, as well as the number they want to appear on the recipient’s caller ID.

 

Another method of spoofing is what is known as the ‘Orange Box’, This method, informally called orange boxing, uses software that generates the audio signal which is then coupled to the telephone line during the call.

 

Caller ID spoofing is generally legal in the United States unless done “with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value”. The relevant federal statute, the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009, does make exceptions for certain law-enforcement purposes. Callers are also still allowed to preserve their anonymity by choosing to block all outgoing caller ID information on their phone lines.

 

Recently the most common form of Caller-ID spoofing is known as ‘Neighbor Spoofing‘, in which the robocaller will spoof a number similar to your own to increase the chance that you’ll answer the call. (i.e. they will spoof a number from the same area code and a prefix that is common in your area)

 

Once they have the spoofing part completed, in comes the prerecorded message. I’m sure there is a website where you can buy pre-recorded messages too.

 

If they are using the right equipment and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), they could perform millions of calls.

 

You can actually get most of this from an online provider where everything is cloud-based except the phone line(s). And it is cheaper than you think, at $19 (USD) a month for one line for an Auto Dialer, Predictive Dialer, Progressive Dialer, or Preview Dialer (more on the dialers at a later post).

 

Once they have you on the line, you listen to the recorded message and if you interact with it, you will be transferred to either a “qualifier” or a “telemarketer”. Sometimes the message is the “qualifier” and you hit “1” and you are qualified and transferred to the “telemarketer”.

 

 

 

Phone scams are big money, so much so that in 2020, according to a study done by Truecaller, Americans lost $29.8 billion (that is Billion with a “B”) to phone scams. And it has a very low prosecution rate. )