topic Re: Caller identity - number seen even when turned off? in Mobile Services

Caller identity - number seen even when turned off?

Soo8 — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:16:02 GMT

I set 'Send my caller identity' to 'off', but the person I was ringing was able to see my number.

I tried ringing a couple of other numbers to check and their display said 'private number' or 'number withheld' which is what I would expect.

Can anyone explain how my number could have been visible?

Re: Caller identity - number seen even when turned off?

XRaySpeX — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:35:47 GMT

@Soo8 : Were you calling an 0800 no.? I believe they can see withheld Caller ID.

Re: Caller identity - number seen even when turned off?

bristolian — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 17:15:40 GMT

When you withhold your number, the only called parties who should override this, are your own telecoms provider as well as the Emergency Services.

When the owner of an 0800 number receives their bill for incoming calls, the number of any caller that was withheld should be redacted, or at the very least have a block of numbers blacked out.

Re: Caller identity - number seen even when turned off?

XRaySpeX — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 17:27:53 GMT

Do 0800 no. subscribers' bills include incoming calls? They aren't charged for them, are they? Mine don't!

I've often been surprised when an 0800 receiver knew my no. when I permanently withhold it.

Re: Caller identity - number seen even when turned off?

bristolian — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 17:50:42 GMT

The point of 080x numbers is that they are free to the caller, but charged to the called party. I've not had exposure to the billing side for a few years, but what I posted was certainly how some numbers were configured just prior to Covid.

In answer to the OP, if you have withheld your number, it's only telecoms providers & the emergency services who should see it. I would assume that also extends to 101, given those calls are answered by the same agents.

Whom specifically, was able to see your number? As in, was this a company/organisation? A private individual? You may have recourse to the ICO.

Re: Caller identity - number seen even when turned off?

XRaySpeX — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 17:59:28 GMT

Empirically it doesn't work that way. In some cases it was a company/organisation I had no previous relationship with. Private individuals don't have 0800 no. I've no reason or inclination to contact the ICO.

@bristolian wrote:

The point of 080x numbers is that they are free to the caller, but charged to the called party. .

Yes, sorry, I forgot their raison d'être.

Re: Caller identity - number seen even when turned off?

Soo8 — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 18:36:55 GMT

No, it was to a personal mobile. I've rung it before and didn't have this
problem. Perhaps, I'll try again next week and hope it works this time.

Re: Caller identity - number seen even when turned off?

Peter_W — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 08:16:26 GMT

Welcome to the Community, @Soo8 😊

Just as a test, it could be worth trying this number again, but try dialling it manually and adding 141 before the number.

Whilst many phones will have a setting to hide Caller ID, this can block it as well and it'll be interesting to see if this is working too.

Peter

Re: Caller identity - number seen even when turned off?

Soo8 — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 16:31:55 GMT

Thanks Peter. I will try that as I know it works on a landline.