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hammer's avatar
hammer
New Contributor
3 years ago

Cox refuses to implement protocols to prevent Spoofed Callers

They haven't complied with the full intent of stopping robocall calls with spoofed numbers.  To do so they need to verify the incoming call is not a spoofed number,and stop it from ringing through.  They have failed to do this. 

I have nomorerobo,I pay extra for my 30 blocked number feature,I am on the National do not call registry, I have a $100 Panasonic call blocking device,

Cox has the resources to stop this, and their alleged "compliance" results in my getting 6-8 spoofed robocalls a day, 7 days a week for the last 18 months.

33 Replies

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  • Bruce's avatar
    Bruce
    Honored Contributor III

    To tell the truth, I've never read the FCC sales pitch for STIR/SHAKEN.  When I originally read about STIR/SHAKEN, articles had terms like authentication, verification, digital signature, cryptography, etc so I assumed this protocol to be a "certification authority" like other network validation processes.  Meaning, only a completed validation process would allow a 2-way communications session.

    However, the FCC sales pitch doesn't mention anything about stopping spoofs, blocking spoofs or preventing spoofs from ringing my phone.  There isn't a hint of Access Denied.  The key phrase is as follows:

    "...it will give Americans more confidence that the caller ID information they receive is accurate and will allow voice service providers to provide helpful information to their consumers about which calls to answer."

    More specifically "...the caller ID information they receive..." & "...which calls to answer."

    This means spoofs will still happen and spoofs will still ring our phones.  All Cox is doing is "stamping" the Caller ID info with their seal of approval.  If you don't see the seal, be cautious.

    My point is if had to look at the Caller ID in the first place, why do I need a seal?  If I don't recognize the number...or think the number is fake...or just feel something is off with the Caller ID, I'm already not answering the call.  Moreover, with or without STIR/SHAKEN, why is Cox allowing (000) 000-0000 to ring my phone?

    The problem with spoofs is scammers are creative to lure you.  For example, these are real spoofs:  Untd St Govt, Police, Rebate, CoxComm.  With STIR/SHAKEN, couldn't a scammer just spoof a seal of authentication and verification?  Couldn't a scammer just prefix the spoof with , [AUTH], , [CERT], , [VAL], etc?  I mean, Cox is already allowing the spoofs.  Will Cox edit the spoofs to remove the spoofed seal?  Did Cox ever train us to verify if a seal is their seal?

    Bottom line:  Nonsense will still ring your phone and Cox will still gladly take your "extra for my 30 blocked number feature."

  • Bruce's avatar
    Bruce
    Honored Contributor III

    There are 3 ways to "verify" the numbers.  One is to fully verify from where the call came and another to partially verify from where the call came.  There's a third but I forget its adjective.

    I'm getting calls from fully verified......and the numbers are legit, but I'm also getting calls without any prefix.  Calls without prefixes are just ringing my phone.  I also don't understand the point if spoofs are still ringing me.  It's another Do Not Call Registry flop.

    • Bruce's avatar
      Bruce
      Honored Contributor III

      There is no adjective for the third verification, so I made up "regional" for Area Code.

      Full:  Cox verified the 10-digit number is registered with the originating provider.

      Partial:  Cox verified all but the last 4 digits with the originating provider.  For example, a company has a private PBX so the last 4 digits wouldn't be registered with the originating provider.

      Regional:  Cox verified the first 3 digits came from a known gateway of another provider.

    • hammer's avatar
      hammer
      New Contributor
      Do Not Call Registry flop.

      Actually it's a Cox failure to FULLY implement spoof calls.

      At least get Cox users to complain to their license holder (the FCC).

      • Bruce's avatar
        Bruce
        Honored Contributor III

        Cox is implementing it.  I'm getting Fully Verified calls....prefixed with ...but also calls from numbers without a prefix.  Perhaps Cox doesn't prefix Partial and "Regional" calls but it doesn't mean Cox hasn't verified a portion of the numbers as per the FCC.

        In my opinion, a prefix is useless.  What's the difference between looking at Caller ID to check for a "V" or just recognizing a telephone number on the Caller ID?  I don't care if it has a "V" or not...I don't recognize the number.

        I thought the point was to stop ringing my phone.

  • hammer's avatar
    hammer
    New Contributor

    I want to make sure a Cox rep sees my post, so I anm repeating it.

    Bruce- I agree why is Cox letting calls through with NO caller ID, and NO phone number????

    My Repost:

    I receive 6-8 spoofed calls a day.  Today is Monday  12-6-21, I have already received 2 spoofed calls by by 7:04AM.  The numbers are 323 430-6398  at 6:01 AM and 606 2838485 at 7:04 AM.  I will also provide you with the numbers of 469 other blocked spoofed calls on my Panasonic call blocking machine.

    COX-you must contact me (you have my number) because I phoned Cox multipile times on this issue and only one person knew a little about Stir/Shaken the rest had never heard of it.  That person was not helpful either

    Please contact me today my Cox landline is currently worthless to receiving important doctors calls.

    EDIT:  Just received my third spoof call at 7:59 AM from 931 810-8215.  THREE SPOOFED calls today by 8:00 AM is that enough proof for you?

    • Bruce's avatar
      Bruce
      Honored Contributor III

      Are any of these numbers repeat offenders?  Meaning, has (323) 430-6398 called you multiple times?

      If not, reporting it to Tiffany will not help.  Scammers use numbers once and move onto another spoof.  Your calls this AM were probably from the same source.

      • hammer's avatar
        hammer
        New Contributor

        Yes all numbers are from the same source.  No repeat numbers.  Because it's just one spammer; Cox with 160,000 employees, and all its resources must be able to locate the source of this originating call center and stop calls to the US.  They pick on Medicare patients (seniors) and if you listen to the recording it gives out a New York based number to call for more info.  The number is invalid.  Many other seniors have a blog on these unwanted calls.  The spammers know my name!  I'm a lawyer, I never give out my unlisted number to ANYONE.  Some doctor's office or Medicare employee is selling our info.

        btw Bruce I received a third call while you were typing.

  • hammer's avatar
    hammer
    New Contributor

    Tiffany-

    I emailed the addy you gave me.  Here is their response.

    "Hi - Our team does not have access to phone switch details in order to troubleshoot anything of that nature. I do know that we are in compliance with this phone standard as of 2019 though. I am escalating a request to the team that would have further phone switch capabilities and have listed your number in your email as the callback number. You should hear back within 24-48 hours.


    Brian

    Cox Social Media Support Specialist

     WITW is  phone switch details?

    btw add spoof calls-  864 7275916 at 8:32 AM, and  531 2231430 at 9:13 AM, and 276 2404833 at 9:21 AM.

    6 spoof calls by 9:30 and Cox with it's billions of dollars, and space age technology won't stop this.  Pathetic.

    • Bruce's avatar
      Bruce
      Honored Contributor III

      Your home phone is connected to a Phone Switch on the Cox network.  It's usually the middle-3 digits, such as (123) 456.

      I don't know what you asked Cox to troubleshoot in your email, but the Help Desk doesn't have access to the Switch to troubleshoot.  What did you want Cox to do?

      • hammer's avatar
        hammer
        New Contributor

        I said nothing about  Switch to troubleshoot!

        Here is what I said: "

        I receive 6-8 spoofed calls a day.  Today is Monday  12-6-21, I have already received 2 spoofed calls by by 7:04 AM.  The numbers are 323 430-6398  at 6:01 AM and 606 2838485 at 7:04 AM.  I will also provide you with the numbers of 469 other blocked spoofed calls on my Panasonic call blocking machine.I still  get calls with NO caller ID, and NO phone number.

        COX-you must contact me ( my number inserted) because I phoned Cox multiple times on this issue and only one person knew a little about Stir/Shaken the rest had never heard of it.  That person was not helpful either.

  • hammer's avatar
    hammer
    New Contributor

    Your suggestion of hooking up to computers will never be done by 98% of people over 65.

    My suggestion is superior to anything mentioned herein.

    You sound like a Cox employee.

    • Bruce's avatar
      Bruce
      Honored Contributor III

      You're not 98% of people.  You're 1 person.  Connecting a computer is easy.  If you'd like, I could easily explain how.  If you won't do it, please spare me the effort to explain.

      I'm not a Cox employee.  I control who can ring my phone.

      • hammer's avatar
        hammer
        New Contributor

        You're only one person, and are not over 65.  You are completely out of touch with seniors abilities with computers.  Please stop trying to speak for them.  You haven't a clue!

        You can't control who rings your phone.  You whined throughout this thread about receiving unwanted calls.

        LOL