Questions about the Caller I.D. falsification (Caller ID Spoofing) service answered…

We tried out that new caller ID spoofing service meant for law enforcement agencies, private investigators and collection agencies. We were able to make calls pretending to be from satan (666-666-6666) as well as from pi (3141592653), fake movie people (555-555-5555) and lastly, Tommy Tutone (867-5309). How did we do this? With a new service from Star38.com. We interviewed their CEO, who explains how this all works and more. Read on…

Jason Jepson, CEO Star38.com is about to launch a new service that spoofs the phone you�re calling so that it appears you�re actually calling from a phone number of your own choosing.

We caught up with Jason and threw a few questions his way. At the end we�ve included some pictures of the service in action.

Who is this service geared towards?
Our service is geared towards law enforcement agencies, private investigators and collection agencies.

Can your average person sign up to do this? (If not, why, and will they
ever be able to?)
No the average person cannot sign up to use our service.  We are looking at a consumer application but it will be nothing like the service we are offering now.

What are the costs? 
The cost is 19.95 a month (monthly service fee) and .7 to .10 cents per minute based on call volume. We also have seperate licensing fees for larger vendors.

Can any number be entered?
Yes any number can be entered from 123-456-7891 to a local owned DID to a �trusted� number.  Depending on the service the company provides depends on the number they can enter.

Can you give us a general overview of how this works? Without giving away the secret of the product, of course.
We control the call from begining to end:  the length, the route, the access, etc, on either a PSTN line or VOIP.  As a user all you have to do is log in, sign off on the legal disclaimer, enter in the number you are calling, the number you would like to be called back at and the number you would like to show up on the caller ID.  Depending what service your company is offering (PI, law enforcement or collections) depends on what number you can enter. 

For collections we have DID�s for them so they can have a local number that routes back to their main office or their local representative. 

Depending on what circles you travel in, spoofing caller ID can be accomplished with many Voice Over IP services. Is this the same thing? 
No, it is not. The means in which people are spoofing caller ID over VOIP is illegal right now�and prank or no prank, it is breaking the law. Our service is legal.

What do you think of the future of caller ID? 
The future of caller ID is safe.  The Star38 service is for companies that are looking for people that have broken the law or a contract of a loan�like a CC, auto or home loan.  The average person does not fall into this category hence they can still trust their caller ID.  It is important to note, as I stated above�this is not for consumers, this is specialized for key industries.

[Eric @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

But the big question is: Does this modify your ANI (automatic number identification)? Most services for 800's and 911 (E911) capture your info using ANI not caller ID and ANI is much harder to spoof.

[JB @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

I signed up for vonage several months ago. I gave them the phone number I would like to transfer to them, currently it is with my landline (I need to finish the transfer).
For the past several months I have shown up on other people's caller id as having called from my landline.
Why would you pay $20 plus fee per minute if that is all it takes to accomplish this task?

[Ry4an Brase @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

A few weeks back it was announced that T-Mobile made some braindead decisions when it came to authenticating voice mail retrievals: http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/371526/2004-08-09/2004-08-15/0

I wonder if this alteration is enough to check the voicemail of folks who haven't switched to the non-default always-require-PIN mode.

[Steve @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

This sounds like it will be easier for those dumb a$$ sales people, who are always making our lives hell at dinnertime, to call and pretend to be neighbors. At least right now (thanks to caller ID) my phone rings different when someone calls from another area code i.e. telemarketers. And I can tell if I know the caller. I can easily ignore telemarketers. Will this mean that all that will change? :(

[Slick @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

This is one of the reasons I screen all of my calls with an answering machine. RARELY, do I answer my telephones...

[Viagara Guy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

...for dishonest people to use for identity fraud. Having the right number when they call to "verify" personal information. Of course, the screening process will make sure only legit companies get this service....right?

[Vincent C. Todd - Attorney at Law @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Of course, any debt collector using the service violates 15 U.S.C. � 1692e (10) each time they use it in connection with collection activities. But then, if the hidden cost of $1,000.00 plus attorney fees is within your cost projections, have at it!

[Dick Large @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

The collection industry is (in my humble opinion) a bunch of organized scudgebags and losers who gang up on all the little people to squeeze (often illegally and unethically) money out of them. Now, they can hid their true identities while harrassing people and violating collection laws with no possibility of enforcement against them.

This is horrible. People who use this will use it a license to harrass and break the law. Yeah, great idea!

[Ray Clark @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

What about using it exclusively for commercial collections where the FDCPA might not apply to the spoofing? Collectors use registered alias', why not register the phone number(s) used on the caller id?

[A Collector @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Are you serious? We collect for a living, not harass. Collection agencies are one of the most regulated business out there and if you want to stay in business, you follow the law. Any collection agency that wants to actually collect money will not use this tool, because they would spend all of their $ defending themselves in court. I mean really, do collection agencies want people to find them, the answer is yes. That is how we collect money!

[Daina Di Veto @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

If Star38.com has the systems in place to ensure that ONLY law enforcement agencies, private investigators, and collection agencies can use it, how did Phillip Torrone manage to try it out?

This is wrong, even if some corporation-friendly loophole makes it technically legal.

[Darren @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

At U. S. Tracers, Inc. http://www.ustracers.com, please don't bother looking on our site for info. on this service, it's not there...this is not a product for the general public--it's for law enforcement and related markets. We believe it's improper to allow a collection agency to send any number. In fact, this tool is inappropriate for most collection agency purposes with a few exceptions (not legal advise, my opinion only) such as:

-placing a call and removing a Caller ID (sending a blank number), similar to what may be done with Caller ID blocking except *69 will not work and when the recipient's phone rings they will not see "Blocked" or "Private". Our customers use this to defeat Privacy Guard.

-sending the true phone number of the collection agency, rather than a DID that may be set for outgoing calls only or not ring properly into the companies auto attendant system. Perhaps a satellite or overseas office handles outgoing calls and another office handles incoming calls. Or the agency wants to provide a toll free number for debtors to call into. Or the agency needs to change their number to direct callers for personnel reasons, send all ABC Credit Card accounts to a group dedicated to this customer.

We do not allow collection agencies to send any number to a debtor. We believe because you can do something doesn't mean you should, collection agencies know they must act responsibly or face problems down the road.

[Darren @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Part of my above message was cut off. First paragraph should have read:

At U. S. Tracers, Inc....we've been offering this service for over 5 years and are wondering how this is a "new" service!?

[Christine Baker @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

That's according to star38.com CEO Jason Jepson's reply to my e-mail. The details are at http://creditsuit.org/credit.php?/blog/comments/star38_illegal_caller_id_falsification_followup/

As Vincent C. Todd - Attorney at Law, posted above, it clearly is illegal. In addition to the $1,000 statutory FDCPA damages for the collector, the company knowingly selling illegal services may also be names in class actions as well as enforcement actions by the FTC.

[Paul @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

This is just another Corporate game to take away MORE of our civil rights..

You "say" its legal, the same legal as the Patriot act?

There's 2 sets of "legal" in the US now, the one for the masses, and then the one for Corporate, They are NOT the same, and according to my interpitation of the Constitution, ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL...unless you want to hide behind something that is illegal for me but not for you, greater good crap..

I only hope that you get a class action and be shut down, but I think that you probably have to many lobbyists, and other big brother entities behind you to cover your self..

This is NOT a Free US anymore, Its become a Corporate run Empire, with Slaves, with LESS and LESS Civil Rights everyday...

People and companys like you make me SICK, and YOU have RUINED the America that I USED to Love...

Paul from what "used" to be the Free USA

[Richard McKenna @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

This really is NOT a tool for the collections industry to use. Police? Sure.. but not us. WE do not hide in the dark, nor attack people from hidden calling points. WE negotiate resolutions to problems that would otherwise mercilessly clog the civil courts and make no one but Attorneys rich.The collections industry has become so structured, licensed and regulated - now filled with college-educated career-oriented professionals - that anyone who thinks that collections businesses, or collectors need this kind of tool, or beleive we are anything but respectable white collar pro's just doing a (sadly) necessary job, are either low-life debtors themselves running from their own lies and worthless promises; or are the 21st century version of ambulance-chasing Attorneys that make their ill-gotten gain from denegrating others ethics while having attained for themselves a new low on the ethical and professional food-chain. WE do not need this tool. Period.

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

If you want to look at the US Tracers web site got to
http://www.ustracers.com/newsite/aboutus.asp. The web site is mostly under construction which is strange since they've been "in business" for 5 years. They look like they're just like *38 except they haven't publicly advertised. Now they've got competition and they're mad because the cat's out of the bag. Maybe now we can get lawmakers to outlaw these "services".

[natas @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

This guy is seriously a n00b. he has no idea of the technical aspects or the legal aspects behind his service.

"The means in which people are spoofing caller ID over VOIP is illegal right now�and prank or no prank, it is breaking the law. Our service is legal."

How is it possible that his service is legal and my service is illegal? He doesnt know his ass from his elbow.

[Dan Hanson @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

I recieved a call recently that had the correct area code (xxx) for our area, but the number displayed on the caller ID came in as xxx-000-0000. Is this legal to transmit a number that comes out as 000-0000? I think all calls should transmit the correct number with no exceptions.

[Dan Hanson @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

I recieved a call recently that had the correct area code (xxx) for our area, but the number displayed on the caller ID came in as xxx-000-0000. Is this legal to transmit a number that comes out as 000-0000? I think all calls should transmit the correct number with no exceptions.

[Joanne @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Attorney Glen Ashman notes a section from The Michigan State Penal Code in his Personal Law Forum here:

http://forums.delphiforums.com/perlaw/messages/?msg=80467.1

(Scroll down to read the discussion).

[Elite Research @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

I agree Jepson is a n00b. He is probably just the guy who invested err wasted money to start Star38. He displays he has no concept of how spoofing works.

http://securityfocus.com/news/9419/comment/28162#MSG
http://securityfocus.com/news/9419/comment/28273#MSG
http://securityfocus.com/news/9419/comment/28294#MSG

[Image SEO @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

This service sounds great! Now maybe my mom will take my calls! Oh, man - not to mention the lady-types!

[hope bush @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

I am receiving threatening and harrassing phone calls from an individual who apparently is utilizing your type service - as he is using another number to show up on my caller ID. How can I track the registration and then take the "evidence" to the local law enforcement authority? I need HELP - please respond.

[Martin Brenner @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Now I realize that "law inforcement" collection agencies etc are signing up for this but it is "WIRE FRAUD" You are intentionally sending out false identification to another individual for the puprose of deception over telecomminications links.

Law inforcement should be able to do this WITH a cout order, just like a wire tap or search of personal property. All others "bill collectors, you stalking x boyfriend, people selling or collecting for??? should be subject to fines/jail!

[Fred @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Look, we can't get rid of telemarketers! where else will all of those HIGH SCHOOL DROP-OUTS get jobs, We need jobs for high school drop outs, telemarketing is all they have! LEAVE the poor sots alone :) yes they are scum, yes they are all losers, we need the tax dollars comming in so we can pay thier telemarketing scum bag kids and wifes welfare bill! Duh!

[Spyware Remover @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

It's bad enough that I don't take calls from people when I KNOW who they, now, I'll be even worse!

[Steve @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

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Your comments on Questions about the Caller I.D. falsification (Caller ID Spoofing) service answered… will appear exactly like below. Press "Add Your Comments" to save your comments, or you can make changes and press "Preview Your Comments" again to preview your changes. Press "Cancel" to stop adding your comments.


Posted Jan 18, 2005, 10:48 AM ET by Steve
I am in a fix. A friend's wife got a series of obscene sms from my phone(ie CLI), which needless to say I never sent. we know each other well enough for her to know this but is there any way at all that i can find out who the meansneak pervert is?? any tips?? thanks. Steve

[Joanna @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Hello, I realize that this article might be dated now. But in case some of you are still looking for a good service. Please consider mine. http://www.covertcall.com/
Hope to see you there,
Joanna

[FAKE CALLER ID @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Go to www.covertcall.com/6133

this site offers caller id spoofing.

check it out. only 5 cents a minute...

there is a free test you can do.

so goto the link, register your phone number and call your self off the test to see different numbers come up on your caller id.

when you register though, know that your using your phone number, and u wont be able to register that # again.

[FAKE CALLER ID @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

Go to www.covertcall.com/6133

this site offers caller id spoofing.

check it out. only 5 cents a minute...

there is a free test you can do.

so goto the link, register your phone number and call your self off the test to see different numbers come up on your caller id.

when you register though, know that your using your phone number, and u wont be able to register that # again.

[david @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

www.covertcall.com is shut down

[Darky @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

I happen to cross a site providing this service too. It's http://www.stayunknown.com . Personally I think they're kinda pro

[erin @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

I've used stayunknown, spooftel and a few others. the rest are great. stayunknown has bad customer service, their number changes and they don't even give a forwarding number, most often when you call their service doesn't work (number doesn't show up- shows up as unavailable) the others I've used are great. stayunknown SUCKS.
You'll stay unknown alright.... it'll appear as "Unknown" usually nothing more.

[Max @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

spoofing caller-id is illegal? In what jurisdiction? There's numerous VoIP services that operate from asian countries that allow callers from Europe to place calls into the US. With those providers you can choose what your caller-ID should show up as. They actually change the ANI and not just the caller-ID. Calls are as cheap as 1.3 cents a minute.

So why exactly should anyone subscribe to this overpriced service that's not even available to everyone?

[Jack @ Dec 19th 2005 2:26AM]

I started using this new site called http://www.SpoofCard.com. I think thy're really professional and not just run by some kids from their basement. One of the things I also liked about them is that they offer free call recording which was great when I called my friends. It took them 3 hours to respond to a customer service question I had.

[john @ Jan 6th 2006 6:12PM]

I am using http://www.Spoofcom.com there customer service is great. I asked about their rates being higher and they stated they Do Not use the Voip PBX system that other companies use, Which are easily traceable. Plus I would Never have my voice recored

on the internet like that.. Think about it.