TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) -Even if you are on the National Do Not Call Registry, it's likely that annoying telemarketers will still find a way to call your home or office.  You may check your caller ID before answering, and still be duped into picking up because these telemarketers are not who they appear to be.  You could be a victim of spoofing.  Spoofing occurs when a caller disguises their name and phone number to look like someone else.  The name of the caller could be something generic like card services or customer service.  When a call is spoofed, the digits will often show up as "dead" meaning they aren't real.

The Federal Trade Commission is warning people that telemarketers are using spoofing to get around the Do Not Call Registry to potentially pitch fraudulent things like credit cards, debt relief, or mortage relief.  The FTC is fighting back by activiely investigating complaints.  According to experts they have already brought cases against nearly a dozen companies that are involved in caller ID spoofing.

If you have been spoofed, the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse has some recommendations.  Officials say it's important to keep a log of the spoofed calls that you receive including the day, time, and even gender of the caller.  They also say, if possible, take a photo of what your caller ID showed you.  You can contact the FTC, your attorney general, or local law enforcement to report these issues.