Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

Caller ID spoofing is a service that allows a caller to masquerade as someone else by falsifying the number that appears on the recipient’s caller ID display. Just as e-mail spoofing can make it appear that a message came from any e-mail address the sender chooses, callerID spoofing can make a call appear to come from any phone number the caller wishes. Caller ID spoofing is provided as a service by a number of vendors. Here’s one example of how it works: A customer pays in advance for a certain number of calling minutes.

To set up a call, the customer opens a Web form and enters their phone number, the recipient’s phone number, and the number chosen to appear on the recipient’s caller display. The service then patches the call through between the caller and recipient phones as stipulated. Some other services involve having the caller dial a number to access the service and then dial the phone numbers.

Frequently, caller ID spoofing is used for prank calls. For example, someone might call a friend and arrange for “The White House” to appear on the recipient’s caller display. However, according to Lance James, chief technology officer (CTO) of Secure Science Corp., criminal uses of caller ID spoofing, such as identity theft and vishing (voice phishing), have also increased significantly. This service is sometime used by telemarketers. To read more about caller id spoofing – google: call id spoofing.

Coalfields Telephone would like to make our customers aware that this could happen to you and be vigilant when it occurs. Do not give out any personal information that may result in identity theft.

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Handling Unwanted Calls

If you do not want to talk to a person selling a product or service by telephone, just say “no thank you,” and hang up. If you’re bothered by harassing or anonymous phone calls, try these techniques to discourage them.

Always hang up immediately at the first obscene word or if the person on the other end of the line doesn’t respond after you’ve said “hello” twice.

Don’t talk to the caller. This is what he or she wants you to do. Don’t give out any information or let the caller know if you’re alone. Teach your children to say “Mom or Dad can’t come to the phone. May I take a message?” If the problem occurs continuously over an extended period, you should report it to your local law enforcement agency. Keep a record of the days and times of the calls, and note the caller’s sex, voice, accent and comments. This information could assist the police.

It is a crime to make harassing, obscene or anonymous phone calls under both federal and state laws. If harassing phone calls persist, the company can place a tracer on the line. Please contact the Business Office for rules concerning this procedure.

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Local Telemarketing No-Call List

Kentucky residential telephone customers who want to reduce calls from telemarketers may place their telephone numbers on a “no-call” list by contacting the Kentucky Attorney General’s office at 1-866-382-1222 (New York 1-866-290-4236) or via the Internet at www.donotcall.gov The no-call list does not restrict calls from businesses with which you have an existing relationship, debt or contract, businesses calling with your permission or charities soliciting donations. It may take up to 90 days for your request to take effect. You will remain on the no-call list unless your home telephone number changes or you notify the Attorney General’s office in writing to remove your number. You may also place your number on the Direct Marketing Association’s do-not-call list by mailing your name, phone number and signature to DMA Telephone Preference Service, Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512. In addition, federal law requires a telemarketer to remove your number from its calling list upon your request. To file a complaint against a telemarketer, call 1-866-877-STOP or go to the website https://www.donotcall.gov/

National – Do-Not-Call Registry

The federal government created the National Do-Not-Call Registry to make it easier for you to stop getting most telemarketing sales calls you don’t want. You may contact the Federal Trade Commission through its website, www.donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236). Registration is free and telemarketers have 31 days from the date that you register your number to stop calling you.

Registration will not stop all calls and you may still lawfully get calls from:
• Telemarketers who have a prior or existing business relationship with you
• Telemarketers who have received an express request from you to call
• Telemarketers with whom you have an existing debt or contract
• Telemarketers soliciting only donations for charities

Yes. Federal and state rules require companies to place you on their own do-not-call list at your request. The companies are required to leave you on their list for at least 10 years. If the calls do not stop, you may file a written complaint with the Federal Communications Commission, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office or file suit in federal court. For more information about federal laws governing telemarketing, visit the FCC Web site at www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/tcpa.html.

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511 Services

Introducing 511. The simple, single number you can call to find out about road conditions anywhere in Kentucky.

• Interstates, parkways, and other major routes
• Traffic and travel conditions
• Road construction updates
• Updated every 5 minutes, 24 hours a day

Why 511? The shortest distance isn’t always the quickest. When you drive, you can encounter all sorts of unexpected obstacles like closed roads, road construction, inclement weather conditions, detours, accidents, or any number of other things that can slow you down.
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How can 511 help me? With 511, you can make one simple phone call to one simple number to get all the information you need about the road ahead of you. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, late for work, or simply looking for a smooth drive, be sure to call 511 and find out if your route is the best way to go.

Where does 511 work? Anywhere in the state. Using sophisticated voice recognition technology, 511 will let you find out about road conditions anywhere in Kentucky. So you’ll get where you’re going as efficiently and quickly as possible. With one call or click.

It’s simple. Dial 511

Plan around obstacles. Find the best route. Make your vacations easier. Your commute to work smoother. And your daily trips more efficient. Call ahead to find out what the road ahead is like. Or visit there website at www.511.ky.gov