Can Scammers Using Spoofed Phone Numbers Be Stopped?

In today's digital age, spoofed phone numbers have become a significant tool for scammers to deceive victims. This method often creates confusion and frustration among consumers, leading to numerous inquiries on how to prevent such scams. However, the underlying issues stem from the VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology and the SIP protocol, which are fundamental to modern communication infrastructure.

Understanding the SIP Protocol and VOIP Technology

The SIP protocol is a standard that allows communication over the internet for audio, video, and messaging services. When a user places a call via VOIP technology, the caller is required to supply their caller ID. However, the SIP protocol was never designed to validate the caller ID information. This means that once the caller ID is provided, there is no further confirmation of its authenticity.

One major challenge in preventing spoofed phone numbers lies in changing the SIP protocol to meet current needs. Proposing amendments to such a widely accepted standard requires significant time and collaboration among various stakeholders.

Real-World Scenarios and Challenges

There are legitimate use cases where the SIP protocol is not designed to validate caller ID information. For example, in a corporate setting, employees might use the main switchboard number instead of individual phone numbers. Similarly, there are scenarios where the caller ID is intentionally set to a value that does not correspond to the individual making the call.

Implementing changes to the SIP protocol to enable better caller ID validation would require extensive efforts and potentially take over a decade to be widely adopted. This reality poses significant challenges for efforts to curb the use of spoofed phone numbers by scammers.

The 'Ex Post Facto' Problem

The issue of spoofed phone numbers is best described as an 'ex post facto' problem. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to definitively determine in advance whether a caller ID has been faked. Determination of fraudulence can only be made after the call has been made and either refused or answered.

For instance, a robocaller might decide to use a victim's phone number as a caller ID. If the call is blocked by the carrier, the scammers can simply switch to a different number. In such cases, the original carrier's efforts to mitigate the issue only serve to block a specific number, allowing the scammer to continue with other phone numbers.

The robust nature of robocaller software allows it to make any caller ID appear as the originating number, aiming to entice the victim to answer the call. These capabilities arise from underlying processes in cell phone provisioning and legitimate number assignment, which are complex and deeply embedded in the current communication infrastructure.

Conclusion

The challenges in preventing scammers from using spoofed phone numbers stem from the fundamental nature of communication technologies like VOIP and the SIP protocol. While there are legitimate use cases for these technologies, their design does not currently support robust caller ID validation. Until there is a significant overhaul of these standards, efforts to combat spoofing will continue to face substantial obstacles.

The ongoing fight against scammers using spoofed phone numbers highlights the need for continuous improvement in communication technologies and regulatory measures. It also underscores the importance of user awareness and the responsible use of technology.

Keywords: spoofed phone numbers, scam prevention, VOIP technology