Today I got a text with my wife's caller ID, that was actually from the car dealer from which I bought my current ride. Obviously trying to ain some legitimacy and thinking that I might just delete the ext without reading it if they were honest about the sender (they'd be correct about that). The message was that "service is due," the "service" actually being the annual safety inspection. They use this as an excuse to find something wrong that needs immediate repair.

Last time they had the car it was "battery needs replacing" something that I had already done a few months earlier. They just pulled a code and didn't even bother to look at the top of the battery where the replacement date was clearly visible.

So isn't there some fraud provision about a business stealing someone's identity? Not that I think I could get an authority interested in pursuing the matter, but do I have any other recourse (other than taking my business elsewhere, something that I have already resolved to do)?

There are differences between Apple & Android with what can be done with spam calls & texts. Other than blocking and reporting as spam, there just isn't much you can do.
There won't be a fix for this problem until the telecom giants think it's actually a problem.
Any caller who calls my phone is welcome to leave a message. If they call and don't leave a message, within a minute of their call, I have them blocked and reported as spam.
If I get a spam text that is not relevant to me, they also get blocked.
In almost all cases, If the phone rings and they are not in my contact list, that call is ignored.

Basically, calls and texts from someone that isn't in my contact list, almost everything gets blocked and reported as spam.
There are some minor exceptions, If I initiate contact and am expecting a return phone call or text.
It is a shame we have to police the people calling/texting us.

I run Android phones and recently upgraded/replaced my phone.
Thank God the list of blocked/spam numbers was one of the items transferred over to the new phone when the old phone storage contents were transferred to the new unit.
That list of blocked/spam phone numbers is beginning to look like a bill out of the US Congress.

I have received phone calls and texts that were spoofed from my phone number!

quote:

Originally posted by cee_Kamp:

I have received phone calls and texts that were spoofed from my phone number!

I never answer calls from my own number. There is absolutely nothing that I could say, that I would want to hear.

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
Today I got a text with my wife's caller ID, that was actually from the car dealer from which ....do I have any other recourse

1) politely tell them to go bugger themselves (choose whatever equivalent meets your approval, either spicier or milder) and that, if that happens again you and yours will never buy squat from them again.

and-or

2) change the phone number on record with them to 1-800-555-1212

3) both of the above

quote:

change the phone number on record with them to 1-800-555-1212

I prefer 867-5309 (choose your area code).

^^^^^^
Jenny!

The spoofing is unreal sometimes. I got scammed a couple of years ago, when I received a text, and then a phone call, from "USAA", claiming there was an issue with my CC, unauthorized charges. The caller IDs and the numbers matched the USAA numbers that I know and also have in my contacts list. A quick check of my account online did show some fraudulent charges.

"USAA" wanted to send me a new CC, and claimed that they had partnered with Apple to cut down on fraud. After a few questions (no PIN info or secret password questions) the call was done. A few days later I got an Apple CC, and a statement showing about $10K in charges.

I called USAA to ask questions. They had no records of any calls to me. I told them the story and then found out that it was scam. Several other members had been duped as well.

The scariest part was that the scammers not only spoofed the numbers, but also knew what to say and what questions to ask, things that I had done before with the legitimate USAA. Afterwards, I thought that perhaps the scammers may have worked for the real USAA in their past.

It's sad that people develop this scam technique, when they could use their skills for other "honest" things, IMHO.

Stay vigilant.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by cee_Kamp:

I have received phone calls and texts that were spoofed from my phone number!

I never answer calls from my own number. There is absolutely nothing that I could say, that I would want to hear.

I received a call from myself one time. I thought about answering but didn't. I always think about Biff from Back to the Future and maybe I called to give myself some information and I would be a multi millionaire right now.

A legit business doing this is bonkers. How can they possibly think this won't piss off most if not all their customers they try this trickeration on?