Source
r/legaladvice•
TCONJ

Random dude got a call from my girlfriend's phone number

I really don't know if this is the right place, or if anything can be done, but my girlfriend woke up this morning with a text from a random number asking if he could call later. Apparently, he got called from her number, even though neither him or my girlfriend know each other. Is it possible that some companies or telemarketers can use other people's phone numbers to call anyone they want?

edit: we live in California

Posted Aug 7, 2018, 5:50 PM UTC · edited

010
NoThereIsNone•

Numbers get spoofed all the time. Haven't you ever gotten a call from a distant scammer whose number comes up as local?

7
Thalenia•

4-5 times a day in my case. AND I've had people call my number to tell me to stop spamming them, as my number was faked for a call to them. OP's situation could certainly fall under that circumstance.

0
NoIAmNotBitter•

Apparently, he got called from her number, even though neither him or my girlfriend know each other.

How do you know that is accurate?

4
[deleted]•

[removed]

-4
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1
OohLaLapin•

Telemarketers spoof phone numbers all the time. Their latest trick is to spoof one from your area code and maybe with similar numbers to you, to trick you into picking up because maybe it's someone you know.

4
NoxiousDogCloud•

Yes it's possible her number was spoofed by a telemarketer. I've had my own number call me once.

2
EeechQuality Contributor •

Telemarketers spoof numbers all the time. Mostly of late, I get them from phone numbers of XXX-XXX-XXX# where my one number matches all the Xs. My husband and I have consecutive phone numbers. Twice in as many months I have gotten a call from my husband's number telling me I have won a $2000 gift certificate on a cruise line.

Either he is having an affair with a travel agent trying to get me to leave town for a bit, or the number is spoofed.

2
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Author: u/TCONJ

Title: Random dude got a call from my girlfriend's phone number

Original Post:

I really don't know if this is the right place, or if anything can be done, but my girlfriend woke up this morning with a text from a random number asking if he could call later. Apparently, he got called from her number, even though neither him or my girlfriend know each other. Is it possible that some companies or telemarketers can use other people's phone numbers to call anyone they want?

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1
lengthiness•

Yes, “spoofing” numbers is hugely common practice. Typically, they call your number with any other that starts with the same 7 numbers (if your number is 123-456-7890 for example, they would co-opt 123-456-xxxx numbers so they appear more trustworthy to you). If you answer, it simply logs that your number is active and therefore can be sold. There came a point personally where I was getting multiple a day. I don’t answer these calls ever, and now I get maybe one a week. Legally, there is not really anything to do. A few government agencies are working on a solution (let’s see what comes of it).

1