{"id":12634,"date":"2021-07-27T09:00:56","date_gmt":"2021-07-27T16:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/blog\/?p=12634"},"modified":"2021-07-13T15:44:04","modified_gmt":"2021-07-13T22:44:04","slug":"phone-carriers-made-these-changes-to-prevent-spoofing-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/scamfish\/phone-carriers-made-these-changes-to-prevent-spoofing-scams\/","title":{"rendered":"Phone Carriers Made These Changes to Prevent Spoofing Scams"},"content":{"rendered":"

On June 30, 2021, the James Bond-inspired STIR\/SHAKEN anti-spoofing protocol took into effect. Established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC),<\/a> this protocol aims to verify the source of calls and help protect you from scammers who spoof their number<\/a> to appear as local callers.\u00a0In this article, we will discuss what spoofing scams are<\/a> and why they\u2019re dangerous, what phone carriers are doing to implement FCC\u2019s new anti-spoofing protocol, how this will affect the users, and how you can avoid spoofing scams. Keep reading to learn how phone carriers made these changes to prevent spoofing scams and ensure your safety!<\/p>\n

What Spoofing Scams Are and Why They\u2019re Dangerous<\/h2>\n[aesop_image img=”https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/scamfish\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/pexels-kaboompics-com-6386-scaled.jpg” panorama=”off” imgwidth=”100%” align=”center” lightbox=”off” captionsrc=”custom” captionposition=”center” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]\n

Spoofing scams involve disguising as a trusted source to collect sensitive information and steal your identity.<\/a> Different types of spoofing scams involve caller ID spoofing, email spoofing, website spoofing<\/a>, and IP spoofing. For instance, scammers will use false information to change the caller ID. To make the call appear local, they will copy your area code. For IP spoofing, scammers will hide their actual IP address or imitate trusted ones, redirecting you to sites with malicious content.<\/a><\/p>\n

These spoofing scams pose a danger to your device as links and attachments may contain malware.<\/a> Also, by playing with your emotions and utilizing technology, scammers will gather your personal and financial information and commit identity theft.<\/a> Then, you may end up with an empty bank account<\/a> and a damaged reputation.<\/p>\n

Carriers\u2019 Steps To Implement FCC\u2019s New Anti-Spoofing Protocol<\/h2>\n[aesop_image img=”https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/scamfish\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/pexels-yan-krukov-6817686-scaled.jpg” panorama=”off” imgwidth=”100%” align=”center” lightbox=”off” captionsrc=”custom” captionposition=”center” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]\n

In response to FCC\u2019s new anti-spoofing protocol, various phone carriers<\/a> made these changes to prevent spoofing scams. AT&T, for instance, authenticates hundreds of millions of calls every day. To be more accurate in identifying and blocking over a billion robocalls per month, the carrier utilizes data from STIR\/SHAKEN. AT&T not only verifies calls across its wireless network but also does so with calls from other major wireless providers, like Verizon and T-Mobile.<\/p>\n

Verizon also declared that it fully complies with FCC\u2019s new anti-spoofing standards, covering 80% of the wireless industry in the United States. T-Mobile announced that its authentication network covers 98% of the wireless customers in the country. It includes those who use other carriers, such as Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast. Meanwhile, smaller phone carriers have until June 30, 2023, to file for STIR\/SHAKEN compliance certification.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re wondering how it affects you as a user, you may see whether the number that\u2019s trying to contact you<\/a> is legitimate and they\u2019re the people who they claim to be. However, the STIR\/SHAKEN protocol does not totally solve the issue of scammers. It does not apply to international calls. Although not foolproof, the system gives you the guarantee that local numbers calling you are not from scam artists.<\/p>\n

How To Avoid Spoofing Scams<\/h2>\n[aesop_image img=”https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/scamfish\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-5398939-scaled.jpg” panorama=”off” imgwidth=”100%” align=”center” lightbox=”off” captionsrc=”custom” captionposition=”center” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]\n

While major phone carriers and FCC are taking the necessary steps to help prevent spoofed scams, you can also take your part by following these steps:<\/p>\n