TrapCall is a free service from NJ-based company TelTech that identifies the source of the blocked calls you receive to your cell phone. According to sources like lifehacker, when you miss a call (or choose not to answer it), this service forwards the call to TrapCall’s toll-free number. TrapCall deciphers the source of the call and sends it back to your phone, this time with the source number in plain sight. Then, you can choose whether to answer it or not (ignoring it this time will take the call to your regular voicemail). The caller never knows about this process; they hear only ringing on their end.

As Gizmodo notes, TrapCall’s upgraded (not free) options include recording incoming calls (which cell technology has never been able to do before), voice mail transcription, and other features (the “Mouse Trap” and “Bear Trap” options). They also point out that the only way to defeat TrapCall is with TelTech’s other notable service, SpoofCard (what a surprise). 

Does it work? Yep, according to those who have tried it. Does it have any flaws? A few: TrapCall isn’t available on all carriers yet, for one thing. For another, call blocking has long been one of the methods of defense for victims of domestic abuse and others who must hide their identity for safety reasons, and TrapCall could out those victims. But that’s a consideration for another time. For now, TrapCall works, and it’s gaining popularity.

At Privacy Council, we strive to put an end to unwanted SPAM, junk mail and phone calls. TrapCall may help with the phone calls, but don’t forget to sign up for Privacy Council’s list removal service today to cut down on the rest of the unwanted communication that annoys you (and harms the environment)!

Recent reports indicate a rise in text message phishing. Phishing, for those not in the know, means sending messages that claim to be from banks or other financial institutions and which use fear and urgency (”Your account will be closed immediately unless you respond”) to try to trick victims into giving up their sensitive information. Cell phone text messaging had already become an avenue for spam messages, which are annoying but not particularly dangerous from an identity theft perspective. Now, the combination of spam texts and illegal intent has led to a rise in text messages that try to provoke a response. The response that the phishers want contains your Social Security number, bank account number or other private information. It’s the same old thieves wearing a newer, cooler costume.

The most recent major text-message phishing scam was reported nationwide just a few weeks ago. In this particular effort, phishers sent untold numbers of bogus text messages, claiming to represent U.S. Bank. The messages said, “Dear US Bank member, your account with us is closed due to unusual activity, call us at [number withheld].” The recipients represented customers of various cell phone providers and were not necessarily U.S. Bank customers. Like many email phishing schemes, this one had a broad scope in the hopes of getting a few victims to nibble at the bait. It’s difficult to know how many people fell for the scam, but the three return phone numbers that were known to be used in the phishing texts have been shut down by the state.

Banks, meanwhile, must now work to make sure that customers who benefit from their mobile banking services aren’t burned by the same technology. U.S. Bank issued a statement shortly after the phishing attempts were reported, reminding account holders that U.S. Bank does not request sensitive information via email, phone call or text message. CIBC, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, is one of many financial institutions providing additional information online about phishing, including ways to check for an email’s legitimacy and ways to report fraudulent communications. Most banking websites include safety and security information for consumers, even if consumers don’t always read or heed the warnings.

The advice, of course, has been heard before: treat suspicious texts the same way you treat suspicious emails. Don’t reply, don’t call any phone numbers listed, and don’t go to any websites suggested in the message. If you do receive a message claiming to be from your bank, call your local bank office or a trusted customer service representative (using a number you already know to be valid) to investigate the issue. Remember, no bank is immune to being used as text-phishing bait (Oregon-based Bank of the Cascades was used as a phishing front several months ago, for example, so scammers aren’t limiting their phishing efforts to national banks), and no cell-phone-toting consumer is immune from the potential attack.

If you still have doubts about mobile banking, you can elect to discontinue it entirely. As IdentityTheft.com noted, mobile banking has many pros (including ease of use, free updates and no account numbers sent in text messages), but it also has many cons (including potential lack of encryption, lack of security and lack of anti-virus software in some phones). The site notes that the technology is still fairly new and untested and suggests asking both the bank and the cell phone provider about the security of the systems used before signing on for mobile banking, just in case. When in doubt, consumers can just skip the mobile updates and do their banking the old-fashioned way (well, as old-fashioned as “online” can be). That way, ANY text messages that claim to represent the bank can be known as fraudulent the minute they arrive on one’s phone.

Sources for this article: Minneapolis Star Tribune, CIBC, IdentityTheft.com, ConsumerAffairs.com

Wrong. Let’s go through some of the most common misconceptions of the Do Not Call Registry, and what the reality is:

Misconception #1 – Being on the list means no one can call you to sell you anything.

The reality – The list doesn’t include calls from political organizations, charities, telephone surveys, companies that you have a business relationship with (i.e., you bought something from them recently), and companies that you have already given permission (in writing) to call you.

Misconception #2 - You can register just home phones and landlines, not cell phones.

The reality – You can register any number, including cell phones, with the Do Not Call Registry. There is an email that has been making the rounds for years that insists a cell phone database is about to be released to telemarketers, but this email is a hoax. You are not about to be inundated with telemarketing calls to your cell phone, as it is against FCC regulations for automated dialers (which most telemarketers use) to dial cell phone numbers. Still, if you choose to register your cell number with the Do Not Call Registry, you may do that.

Misconception #3 – The same day that you register your number, the calls must stop.

The reality – It may take up to 31 days for telemarketers to update their systems and stop calling you.

Misconception #4 – Even if a telemarketer calls me without permission, they won’t be penalized. 

The reality – If you receive a call from a telemarketer more than 31 days after signing up for the Do Not Call Registry, and you don’t think the telemarketer is included in the list of permitted callers, then you can file a complaint with the Registry on their web page. If a telemarketer is found to be in violation of the rules, they will be penalized with a hefty fine, up to $11,000 per violation.

Misconception #5 – If you add your number to the Do Not Call Registry, the privacy of your information will be compromised.

The reality – Your number is placed in the registry solely for telemarketers to use in updating their own do-not-call records every 31 days. Phone numbers may also be shared with law enforcement officials, but other than that, all information is stored securely and not shared with anyone else. 

Misconception #6 – Your registration will expire after 5 years.

The reality – Pending final Congressional approval to make the list permanent, your number won’t be dropped from the list after a 5-year period (or any other period).

Misconception #7 – There is a deadline for registering your number.

The reality – There is no deadline for adding your number to the National Do Not Call Registry. You can do it at any time.

To learn more about the National Do Not Call Registry, visit the FAQ page.

If you are a business that uses telemarketing techniques, you should make sure that you are in compliance with the National Do Not Call Registry guidelines. The registry’s website has some information for businesses that you can use to learn more, such as the cost for accessing the Do Not Call database (the first five area codes are free), the potential penalties for violations, and the specifics about what calls are exempt from the regulations.

Sources: www.donotcall.gov, www.ftc.gov, www.fcc.gov, www.snopes.com