Manitou Business Owner Is Spoofing Victim

A Manitou Springs business owner got scammed over the weekend, when crooks stole her phone number to scam others.The practice is known as spoofing. Scammers call other people with a criminal purpose, but it’s another victim’s number that pops up on the caller ID.

Margrit Trenker, a sports therapist from Manitou Springs, had her phone number stolen and used to make malicious phone calls. As a result, she received many angry messages from strangers telling her to stop harassing them. When she told them she never called them, they were understanding at first, but then their language changed.

“At first they said okay, you have problems with the phone, but then, ‘F-F-F’ So I was like ‘oh my God’ and frightening,” said Trenker.

Trenker kept a list of 79 callers, but after that, she gave up. When she turned to Manitou Police, she said they couldn’t help her. Scammers use a software program that makes it impossible to track them down.

“I was so frustrated. I felt so alone in this. Nobody was here that really could help you,” said Trenker.

Trenker’s phone service provider, Comcast, advised her to change her number, but that hurt her sports therapy business. She must now get in touch with what ever customers she can to tell them about the changes.

Her troubles may not be over. Comcast warned her that other victims have been spoofed again even after they change their numbers.

If you are a victim of spoofing, report the issue with police. It’s important to have the act on record, even if little can be done.