STIR/SHAKEN - The FCC’s Response to Caller ID Spoofing

The Story of How Caller ID Spoofing Spurred STIR/SHAKEN

Introduction

Hold onto your hats, folks!  Join us as we explore the compelling story of how phone number hijacking, a notorious form of telephony fraud, led to the development of STIR/SHAKEN. This is the technology that serves as our hero in the battle against scammers and criminals. We will journey through the realm of telecommunications and investigate how malicious actors are being combatted. The Dark Side of Telephony: Phone Number Hijacking Unmasked

The Rise of the Rogues

You might be wondering, what on Earth is caller Id number spoofing? Well, let me tell you, it's not a walk in the park.  This practice involves scammers taking control of one's phone number to make illegitimate calls, which may involve impersonating the phone owner or someone they trust. They can worm their way into your personal and financial information, leaving you high and dry.

When Push Comes to Shove: Robocalls and Spoofing

To add insult to injury, phone number hijacking goes hand in hand with robocalls and spoofing.   Robocalls are automated telephone calls that originate from an unidentified source without prior notification. Spoofing involves masking the caller's actual phone number. Together, they make a formidable duo, wreaking havoc on unsuspecting individuals. These malicious practices have left people feeling as if their phone lines have turned against them.

The FCC’s Solution: STIR/SHAKEN Enters the Scene

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

With phone caller ID spoofing running rampant, folks were clamoring for a solution. Enter STIR/SHAKEN, the dynamic duo of standards that swooped in to save the day. Short for Secure Telephony Identity Revisited (STIR) and Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information Using toKENs (SHAKEN), put a stop to the madness by verifying and authenticating caller ID information.

STIR/SHAKEN: The Nitty-Gritty

STIR/SHAKEN works like a dream team, and here's how:

• STIR takes the lead by creating a digital fingerprint for each call, ensuring that the caller's identity is genuine.
• SHAKEN swoops in allowing service providers to implement.

They create a powerful force that stands between consumers and scammers. Together, they make sure that no call goes unanswered without proper vetting.

Counting the Benefits: Why STIR/SHAKEN Matters

Putting a Stop to the Spoofing Scourge

Thanks to STIR/SHAKEN, spoofing and robocalls are no longer the bane of our existence.  Phone service providers have been enabled to identify and block calls that are not legitimate, thereby ensuring that only authenticated calls reach customers' phones.  You are now able to experience a sense of comfort and serenity when your telephone rings.

Aiding Law Enforcement

With the help of STIR/SHAKEN, law enforcement agencies can now track down the bad apples and bring them to justice.  This technology has provided law enforcement agencies the means to effectively combat fraudsters and scammers, making our phone lines more secure for consumers.

FAQs

How does STIR/SHAKEN protect me from phone number hijacking?

STIR/SHAKEN is designed to ensure the accuracy of caller ID information displayed on telephones, thereby making it difficult for hijackers to deceive through spoofed calls. This prevents them from gaining access to your personal information or scamming you with fraudulent offers.

Is STIR/SHAKEN foolproof?

STIR/SHAKEN has achieved notable progress in suppressing phone number spoofing, yet no system is fully impervious. This has resulted in a marked decrease in the number of spoofed calls, providing an important tool for combating telecommunications fraud.

How can I ensure my phone service provider uses STIR/SHAKEN?

Most major phone service providers have already adopted STIR/SHAKEN protocols. To ensure that your provider is using this technology, you can contact their customer support and inquire about their implementation of STIR/SHAKEN.  You can also use Number Verifier to accurately see what is displayed on your business's phone calls.

In Summary

The story of how phone number hijacking spurred STIR/SHAKEN is a testament to the power of innovation in the face of adversity. This game-changing technology has brought hope to those who were once at the mercy of fraudsters. Thanks to STIR/SHAKEN, we can now put our trust back into our phone lines and reconnect with the world without fear.  Let us raise a toast to STIR/SHAKEN, the valiant protector of the telecommunications world, and wish it continued success in safeguarding our phone lines for years to come.