Why I Don’t Use Call Flooders and Phone Spoofers Anymore against scammers.

For call flooding, I had to create a call spoofer first. Phone spoofing, once a popular technique used against scammers, involves manipulating caller ID information to display a different number on the recipient’s device than the actual originating number. On an Asterisk server, this is accomplished by altering specific headers in the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) messages sent to the SIP provider. Asterisk, a highly customizable open-source PBX system, allows users to modify SIP packets, making it easy to change the caller ID at will. This capability opened the door for numerous legitimate and illegitimate applications, including call flooding.

Call flooding involves sending large volumes of calls to a single target or multiple targets, often as part of harassment, denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, or even for pranking. I used it against scammers. With an Asterisk server, combined with the ability to spoof phone numbers, call flooding could be automated and scaled to a high degree.

However, there are significant reasons why I no longer use call flooders against scammers, primarily due to changes in SIP provider policies and legal considerations. Below are the key factors that influenced my decision:

1. SIP Providers Do Not Allow Phone Spoofing

In recent years, SIP providers have adopted strict policies prohibiting caller ID spoofing. Most reputable SIP providers now require verification of caller IDs before they can be used. This means that users can only present numbers that they own or have verified through a formal process, such as receiving a code via SMS or call verification.

This change was driven by the growing concerns over robocalls, phone scams, and fraud. Governments and regulatory bodies around the world have introduced stringent laws and regulations to combat caller ID spoofing. For example, in the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated the implementation of the STIR/SHAKEN framework, which helps verify the authenticity of caller ID information. SIP providers have complied by enforcing strict verification rules and refusing to process calls with unverified or altered caller IDs.

Due to these restrictions, using phone spoofing on an Asterisk server has become impractical. Calls made with spoofed numbers are often blocked by the SIP provider or the recipient’s network, making call flooding attempts ineffective.

2. Mass Dialing Is Prohibited by Most SIP Providers

Another major reason I stopped using call flooders against scammers is the prohibition of mass dialing by most SIP providers. Mass dialing refers to placing large volumes of calls in a short period, a common characteristic of call flooding. SIP providers have policies that limit the number of calls a user can make within a given timeframe to prevent abuse of their networks.

Providers monitor call patterns and will quickly suspend or terminate accounts that engage in mass dialing. Even if someone manages to initiate a call flood, the provider can cut off service mid-operation. Additionally, many providers implement rate limiting and anti-spam measures, further hindering the ability to use call flooders effectively.

Violating these terms of service can result in permanent bans from SIP providers, legal action, and financial penalties. With SIP providers becoming increasingly vigilant, it’s no longer worth the risk to attempt call flooding, even for benign purposes like testing.

Ethical and Legal Considerations

Beyond technical and provider restrictions, ethical and legal considerations have also influenced my decision. Call flooding, especially when using spoofed numbers, can cause real harm. It disrupts legitimate communication, wastes resources, and can be used maliciously to harass or intimidate individuals or businesses. Such actions can lead to severe legal consequences, including criminal charges and civil liability.

Laws against unauthorized caller ID spoofing and mass dialing have become stricter. In many jurisdictions, engaging in these activities without proper authorization is a criminal offense. The potential penalties, including hefty fines and imprisonment, far outweigh any perceived benefits of using call flooders.

While phone spoofing and call flooding were once easy to implement using an Asterisk server, evolving SIP provider policies, legal regulations, and ethical concerns have rendered these practices both impractical and undesirable. SIP providers now require caller ID verification, prohibit mass dialing, and enforce strict anti-spam policies. Furthermore, the legal risks and potential harm caused by call flooding make it a practice I can no longer condone or engage in.

For these reasons, I have chosen to stop using call flooders entirely. Instead, I focus on legitimate and ethical uses of telecommunication technologies, ensuring compliance with provider policies and legal requirements. It’s simply not worth risking one’s reputation, finances, or freedom for something that offers no real benefit and can cause significant harm.