Police: Scammers using online services like Vonage to fake Caller ID

The York County Sheriff’s Office has released additional information about how an unknown managed to forge the number on a Caller ID screen, calling a Rock Hill woman and attempting to collect a debt on behalf of authorities.

Monday afternoon, someone repeatedly called a 51-year-old woman at work and said that if she didn’t pay up on a debt within two hours, she would be arrested.

Detective Chris Bowmar says criminals take advantage of internet phone services like Vonage to call US numbers from overseas and use a third-party service to spoof a phone number, much like what was done earlier this week.

Bowmar says from there, it is old-fashioned manipulation.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Bowmar says the caller identified himself as Adam Smith of the Rock Hill Police Department. There is no Adam Smith — and the caller was likely overseas and used an internet phone service like Vonage to impersonate or spoof a local number — in this case, local authorities.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Bowmar says that in any case of an unpaid debt — deputies would be showing up at your door instead of calling to collect over the phone. In essence, it’s a scam.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

He scammers like this particular one use everyday tools to target a wide audience — and ultimately, get the money they want.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Detectives say that if you find yourself the recipient of such a call — call the number of the business, organization or agency back at its published phone number to verify its authenticity.