Ohio Attorney General\u2019s information<\/i><\/p>\n
COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine warns that, since last week, more than 30 consumers across Ohio have reported receiving \u201cspoofed\u201d phone calls, or calls that appear to come from the consumer\u2019s own phone number or from a number very similar to their own.<\/p>\n
\u201cAltering the number that appears on a consumer\u2019s caller ID is one of many tactics con artists may use to make their scams seem convincing,\u201d Attorney General DeWine said. \u201cNo matter what number appears on your caller ID, keep your guard up and watch for phone scams.\u201d<\/p>\n
Caller ID spoofing generally refers to the practice of altering or disguising the phone number reflected on a consumer\u2019s caller ID.<\/p>\n
In this case, the phone number listed on the caller ID may be identical to or only a few digits off from the consumer\u2019s own phone number, making it appear to be a local call. For example, a consumer whose phone number is 330.555.0104 may get a call from 330.555.0108.<\/p>\n
The callers generally offer \u201ccredit card services,\u201d such as lowering credit card interest rates. Most consumers do not report losing money or providing personal information in response to the calls.<\/p>\n
To protect themselves from phone scams, consumers should remember the following:<\/p>\n