These days, there is sort of an "authentication détente" over telephone calls. Because nobody can trust Caller ID, and we're told never to trust any incoming ca

These days, there is sort of an "authentication détente" over telephone calls. Because nobody can trust Caller ID, and we're told never to trust any incoming call, especially an unexpected one. But when I receive, for example, a followup call from the clinic about lab results: they are cagey, per HIPAA, about divulging any info to anyone who isn't me. So I answer, and the first thing I get is a question like, "what is your name and DOB?" and what do I tell them? "I don't trust you! Go away!" I'm thankful that many orgs are finally implementing their own secure-messaging features so most of these type phone calls can now be done in a private email style instead. I've never seen any scammer spoofing Caller ID of someone in my Contacts list, but that seems like a nightmare scenario!