Unidentified Callers, Untrustworthy Callbacks
Received a call from a number registered with “Countrywide Home Loans” a few days ago. I did not pick up – let the call go to voicemail (per unknown number protocol) and found a synthesized voice message requesting I call the number back to inquire about an “account” (no further information RE: nature of account, origin of call).
I ran the number through whocalled.us (handy reverse lookup for business/nuisance callers) and found it was related to Countrywide. So I called to see what was up – the VRU required an account number (I do not do business with Countrywide – thankfully) or SSN. Interesting.
A little digging turned up some evidence of information security malfeasance at Countrywide (one less reason to provide them with any data), however, in reading about a recent FBI advisory, I believe that there is a possibility that my cell phone was auto-dialed as part of an Asterisk vishing scam.
What does this mean for consumers? You cannot trust the number which appears on the caller ID, nor can you trust the numbers published for a given company…
… or you can free yourself from any suspicion or doubt. Simply post your personal information, financial account information, et cetera on as many websites as possible.
