Spoofing is a tool used by scammers that changes their caller ID information to appear like a familiar phone number. The goal of the scammers is to gain information that they can use or sell.
The scammers have recently started using some UMSL numbers when making these sorts of calls.
To address this issue, ITS requests the following:
- If you receive a call from someone who is being scammed with an UMSL number, please be patient with individuals that may call you. Explain to them that UMSL is not the cause of the calls and suggest they block the number. If they have questions, please advise them to call Telephone Services at 314-516-3253 and ask them to leave a message.
- Telephone Services asks that you also report it by submitting a ticket to help.umsl.edu
- ITS will report the issue to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This may not stop the behavior, as there is no control if the scammers are offshore, but it is a good first step in dealing with the issue.
To learn more about Caller ID Spoofing and tips on how to avoid it, the Federal Communications Commission has created this FCC guide on spoofing.