Telephone number spoofing involves disguising the caller ID to display a different number than the one being used to place the call. This practice can be used for various purposes, ranging from legitimate business practices (e.g., displaying a company’s main line instead of an individual employee’s number) to malicious activities such as scams and fraud. Spoofing makes it difficult to trace the origin of a call and can mislead recipients into believing the call is from a trusted source.
The ability to manipulate caller ID information has significant implications for trust in telecommunications. It undermines the reliability of caller identification systems, making individuals more vulnerable to scams and phishing attempts. Historically, caller ID was designed to provide transparency and accountability, but spoofing exploits vulnerabilities in the system, creating opportunities for deception. Addressing this issue is critical to maintaining confidence in communication networks and protecting individuals and organizations from harm.