As you remember last time, we spoke about having access to a solid solution for reverse phone number lookup. Today, I want to introduce you to another side of this coin. Perhaps more shady and even more disturbing than anything else I have talked about on here before - caller ID spoofing.

Caller ID Spoofing and Caller ID Spoofing Defense

Caller ID spoofing is the act of calling someone using a fake caller ID, then to make things worse, acting as if you are someone else altogether. Yes, this means that an unscrupulous individual might use this technique to defraud someone rather than playing a practical joke.

So is this practice legal? Not a lawyer, so if you are concerned about trying this out as a joke, I would talk to one before taking such a thing for a test drive. That said, I am sure there is much humor to be had pretending to be someone you are not when the other party is a trusted friend - again, check the local laws before trying this folks.

(Also read up on: How easily can you be tracked down?)

(Also read up on: Free Reverse Address Lookup)

(Also read up on: Free Reverse Phone Number Lookup)

Voice changing software.

Another increasingly common practice is to use voice changing software to further create the illusion that a fake caller is who they claim to be. This sound crazy, but the increasing frequency that this is happen is something not to be ignored.

What you can do to prevent becoming a fraud victim.

Despite this sort of thing often times being done in good fun, it it critical that you are able to protect yourself in case you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the:

• Hospital
• Bank
• School
• or even your place of employment

The level that this form of caller ID spoofing can head into leaves the sky being the limit. Understanding this, you should never provide and of the following to someone calling you:

• Your credit card, bank account or bank name.
• Social security number.
• Any personal information you would not feel comfortable pasting to your front door.

Remember, just because the caller ID claims it is something that is official sounding, does not by any means that it is not anything more than a caller ID spoof looking to see how gullible you really are. Just remember, your only have your privacy protected once. After its gone, good luck getting back.