Probably phone numbers follow some numbering scheme etc. so it is relatively easy to spam everyone with automated dialing and handing the numbers that prove out to the scammer. Thus while it is possible sold by X, it is just as possible randomly pulled from limited pool of possible numbers.
Scammers could probably using random numbers to call/text potential victims, and the RNG has ended up generating your phone number. Or the scammer might not even be using an RNG.
Scam callers often randomly generate the numbers that they're calling from. I've received a call claiming to be from my phone's own number. Caller ID isn't difficult to spoof.
It shouldn't be, but it is. The latest scams all involve calling people from local looking numbers (same area code), since it's more likely victims will pick up.
They've been spoofing numbers for quite some time. It only stands to reason that randomly generated spoofed numbers will be numbers belonging to other owners of phones. They think they're being clever about it: use the same area code and exchange numbers as the target, and randomly generate the final digits, hoping you'll think you know the caller and will answer.
This would be entirely predicated on callerid being trustworthy. But it isn’t. At all. Some scammers who have call lists based upon surreptitiously stolen contact lists now call people ‘from’ their own contacts.
Most of the scam calls I used to answer were identifiable local numbers. Easy to get VOIP numbers in bulk or put up a literal farm of SIM cards in cheap phones.
Right but for the scam to work at some point they have to connect you to a human who asks for payment. So while the Caller ID may be spoofed the number embedded in the message wouldn't be.
I regularly get scam calls that spoof my area code.
Hell, my number is even commonly spoofed! Every few months, I get a call from someone, then I get to explain to them that scammers can spoof phone numbers.
I think part of the problem is that caller ID claims to provide clear identification. People are conditioned to believe caller ID and don't realize it can be easily spoofed. This feeds into the scam because people are willingly more gullible.
Spam callers spoof residential numbers so they're not blocked by rules and filters at the telcos. Apple has called me twice once it popped up Apple Williamsburg because I had their number in my phone, and the other time was a 800 number based on a scheduled call. What legitimate companies call from private/unknown numbers? Even HSBC my bank calls me for fraud from the exact same 800 number that I call them for fraud.
The scammers are much more sophisticated than you suppose. One common trick they use is to “hack” local PBXs, and use them to place vast numbers of calls.
The scammers in this case are apparently a small-time telco. In other cases, the scammers set up 1-900 (or equivalent) numbers and try to get their marks to call the number.
I think, but maybe I'm imagining it, but all these scammers use internet phone numbers from services which have abuse departments. You would need to identify the origin and get them to shut down he numbers.
One of the things that frustrates me is that phone companies will carry calls purporting to be from numbers that don't terminate. Why would they ever think that was a good idea?
You get a scammer, they've sent their [spoofed] number, you ring it and get 'boo-boo-boop this number is not recognised'. The phone company knows the numbers that aren't taken because they use that list when you set up a new phone line.
Though it does just strike me that it's possible the number actual did terminate but the scammers pretend it didn't; but that seems a long shot.
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