| SpoofCard, may become the hottest software | | | | someone who really want to talk to at that |
| telephone calling system available thanks to | | | | moment. Quite often even I ignore the phone |
| the upcoming release by Sony Pictures of | | | | after seeing the ID and deciding to return |
| "Untraceable," starring Diane Lane as an FBI | | | | the call instead of answering it. Although |
| agent led on a merry chase for a killer who | | | | prank calls have been and always will be a |
| hides himself behind phone calls and the | | | | part of a teenager's life with this system |
| internet. | | | | pranks may go too far causing immense fear, |
| | | | costs and police resources, such as in the |
| What is Spoofcard? It is a software system | | | | prank interview by Paul Zahn of CNN news. |
| that allows outgoing callers to disguise | | | | Millions of telephone customers pay and |
| their name, telephone number, voice and | | | | additional fee for Caller ID, and now that |
| gender. It also allows the caller to record | | | | protection is not available to the consumer |
| their telephone calls. In order to use | | | | at either their home or cell phone. |
| Spoofcard you create an account very similar | | | | |
| to long distance calling card plans or | | | | Uses for Spoofcard can also be extremely |
| prepaid cell phone plans. The price of 60 | | | | 'ugly." Uses of the Spoofcard system can |
| minutes is $10.00 and customers may purchase | | | | result in; the ability to access voicemail |
| up to 480 minutes for $80.00. Only credit | | | | systems that do not belong to the caller; |
| cards are accepted by the site. | | | | identity theft such as giving personal and |
| | | | financial information believing it to be a |
| Customers are assigned a Personal | | | | legitimate call based on the caller |
| Identification Number (PIN) to access their | | | | identification information and stalking, just |
| account. First, they call into the Spoofcard | | | | to name a few of the more frightening uses |
| telephone system, dial the number you are | | | | for this system. |
| calling and then dial the number and name you | | | | |
| wish to appear on the receiver's caller id. | | | | Spoofcard is legal. Even after Congressional |
| Next the system asks if you wish to change | | | | hearings on the use of the software, it was |
| your gender or record a message to be played | | | | determined that the software was legal, but |
| for the telephone call. Users may also record | | | | that specific crimes associated with its use |
| their calls, to replay later. | | | | were not. Stipulations are in effect; such as |
| | | | the service is illegal only if used to |
| Spoofcard and their affiliates claim that it | | | | deceive or attempt fraud or theft as a result |
| is simply an entertainment tool, however they | | | | of the call. In some cases, depending on the |
| also claim that it provides a certain level | | | | state, the recorded calls may or may not be |
| of privacy from professionals such as doctors | | | | admissible in court. The web site for |
| or lawyers who may find it necessary to | | | | Spoofcard indicates that all requests by a |
| contact patients or clients out of office | | | | legitimate government agency will be honored. |
| hours. It is stated on their site that one of | | | | |
| the many reasons for purchasing the software | | | | Spoofcard may be purchased online through |
| is to enable professionals such as these to | | | | their homepage or through several affiliate |
| protect their home and cell phone | | | | programs. The homepage provides consumers |
| information, but allowing them to program | | | | with the ability to purchase their minutes. |
| their outgoing calls to indicate the office | | | | receive technical support, participate in the |
| and office telephone number. | | | | forum and access the FAQ page. However, in my |
| | | | research on the web, far too many claim to be |
| Another entertainment purpose is to create | | | | using the system for illegal purposes, and |
| your own unique telephone number to announce | | | | although they make these claims, technology |
| who you are, similar in nature to having ring | | | | is available to keep their identity safe - |
| tones that indicate who is called. Nicknames | | | | but what about yours? |
| may also appear on the caller id screen. | | | | |
| | | | This system is just the latest of several new |
| However critics of Spoofcard are worried. | | | | services available to both legitimate |
| Received calls may be tricked into answering | | | | consumers and criminals alike that needs to |
| calls from "ex's" or other individuals that | | | | be monitored and examines to protect from |
| they wish to avoid. We have all done it, | | | | identity theft, and other crimes, now more |
| screened our calls to determine if it is a | | | | easily available to criminals by utilizing |
| good time to answer the phone or if it is | | | | this system. |