[NJTechDiv] Robocalls changing for the worse, so don't get scammed

[Mario Brusco]

Robocalls changing for the worse, so don't get scammed
ttps://www.komando.com/happening-now/559991/future-robocalls-will-impersonate-you-and-your-familys-voices-too

By Francis Navarro, Komando.com

Do you still answer phone calls from unknown numbers? Like me, you 
probably ignore them all. Why? Well, it's most likely just another 
robocall or a telemarketing call.

But what if the caller ID appears to be from a familiar number or 
company? Or worse, what if it looks like it's coming from your own 
number? Out of curiosity, there's a good chance you might pick up.

But watch out -- that's what these scammers are counting on. And in the 
future, it will only get worse. Not only can they spoof numbers that are 
familiar to you, but they'll also start faking voices, too!

What is caller ID spoofing?

Caller ID and phone number spoofing is a growing plague that's not only 
annoying, but it is also equally dangerous.

With this scheme, criminals are using VOIP (voice-over-IP) and phone 
spoofing software to impersonate a phone number's caller ID.

This means they could make any call show up on your phone as if it is 
coming from a familiar person from your contact list, company or 
organization and even yourself.

In fact, these Caller ID phone phishing scams (also known as vishing) 
are getting so sophisticated and professionally handled that they're 
fooling even the most tech-savvy people around. Click here to read one 
of the most interesting phone spoofing phishing attempts.
https://www.komando.com/happening-now/494919/new-clever-bank-phishing-scam-is-spreading-and-its-duping-even-the-experts

But security experts are warning that a new level of deception is on the 
horizon. You won't just receive scam calls from phone numbers that 
you're familiar with, the person on the other end of the line will sound 
like someone you know, too.

Voice spoofing is real!

Imagine this -- you get a call from a "friend's" number and in a 
familiar voice, they're saying they are in trouble and you'll have to 
bail them out. The problem? It's all a sham. Your friend's number was 
spoofed and the voice on the other end was faked.

Soon, this will be the robocall reality we'll all be facing. Voice 
manipulation software is real and it's only a matter of time before 
crooks get their hands on it.

With voice editing software like Adobe's Project Voco (the "Photoshop of 
speech") and Virtual assistants like Google Duplex that sound eerily 
human, speech manipulation can certainly be used for scams, extortion 
and manipulation.

https://www.komando.com/happening-now/379483/adobes-new-software-raises-major-security-and-privacy-concerns

https://www.komando.com/tips/468166/ai-human-voices-sound-a-little-too-real-for-many

Fortunately, creating a robocall version of you and your friends won't 
be a trivial task. It will take tons of voice samples and computer model 
training, not to mention advanced voice manipulation software, before 
any personalized call and voice spoofing can be launched. It will take a 
lot of work but it is definitely possible.

How to fight back against robocalls.

This is actually the easiest solution to eliminating robocalls. If you 
receive a call from an unknown number or one that doesn't show up on 
caller ID, don't answer. If it's an important call, the person will 
leave a message and you can get back to them.

More importantly, if you receive a call that's coming from your own 
phone number, don't ever pick it up. It's 100% a robocall.

All four of the major carriers have specific tools to identify, filter 
and block suspected nuisance numbers from calling or texting your phone.
https://www.komando.com/columns/540682/7-ways-to-stop-robocalls-now

Most require you to shell out an extra monthly fee to activate the 
caller ID service, but network-level blocking is free of charge across 
all the carriers.

To fight other types of robocalls, you can download and install 
call-blocking apps such as NomoRobo, True Caller or Hiya on your smartphone.
Tap or click here for more information about these types of apps.
https://www.komando.com/apps/417558/3-awesome-apps-that-block-unwanted-robocalls/all

BONUS: WE TRIED ROBOKILLER. HERE'S WHAT WE LIKED AND DIDN'T LIKE
https://www.komando.com/apps/545200/robokiller-heres-what-we-liked-and-didnt-like

Soon, carriers will launch a new universal system that aims to identify 
and block robocalls on the network level.
https://www.komando.com/happening-now/556795/phone-carriers-finally-help-to-stop-robocalls

It's called Stir/Shaken and it will try to verify the legitimacy of the 
number through a digital signature. No verification, the system will 
assume it's a robocall. Hopefully, Stir/Shaken will be available by all 
the major carriers by the end of the year.

end of article.

I do not recommend the use of the free versions of the above mentioned 
apps if possible because of the explaination found in another article:

These robocall apps are harvesting your data
https://www.komando.com/happening-now/587180/robocall-blockers-privacy-harvesting-your-data?utm_medium=nlutm_source=alertsutm_content=2019-08-11