May 15, 2015
Caller ID and Spoofing
Caller Identification, or "Caller ID," allows you to identify a caller before you answer your telephone. A caller's number and/or name are displayed - on your phone or an external display unit. Some phone and cable companies offer widgets that allow you to see caller ID displayed on your TV or computer screen.
Caller ID service, however, is susceptible to fraud. Using a practice known as "caller ID spoofing," callers can deliberately falsify the telephone number and/or name relayed as the Caller ID information to disguise the identity of the calling party.
FCC rules on caller ID spoofing
Under the Truth in Caller ID Act, FCC rules:
Prohibit any person or entity from transmitting misleading or inaccurate caller ID information with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value.
Subject violators to a penalty of up to $10,000 for each violation of the rules.
Exempt authorized activities by law enforcement agencies and situations where courts have authorized caller ID manipulation to occur.
What are the rules regarding caller ID for telemarketers?
FCC rules specifically require that a telemarketer:
Transmit or display its telephone number or the telephone number of the seller on whose behalf the telemarketer is calling, and, if possible, its name or the name and telephone number of the company for which it is selling products or services.
Display a telephone number that you can call during regular business hours to ask to no longer be called. This rule applies even to companies that already have an established business relationship with you.
https://www.fcc.gov/guides/caller-id-and-spoofing