25 April 2005
A new study published today has disclosed the loophole that a growing number of fraudsters are exploiting to fake who they are via home telephone landlines.
The BBC writes that the worrying spoofing trend has seen both fixed landline telephones and mobile phones being targeted by con-artists disguising who they are by bypassing the Caller-ID system.
The tactic has been already been widely condemned by consumer groups as conmen utilise it in an attempt to give bogus calls more credibility.
The UK's telecom watchdog Ofcom admitted that it had received calls from consumers voicing their concern over a potential wide spread outbreak of caller-ID spoofing.
A spokesperson also revealed that the group will be investigating the problem further if enquiries persist.
"We are aware of it and are monitoring the issue," the Ofcom spokesperson commented.
Fears have been mildly allayed by reports suggesting that the majority of spoof call services are operating internationally from the US and are not considered such a serious threat in the UK at this time.
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