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Caller ID and
My Privacy:
What Do I Need to Know?
- How does Caller ID work?
- How does blocking work?
- Are there exceptions to blocking?
- How can I choose the best blocking
option?
- How do I know if the person or
business I am calling subscribes to Caller ID?
- Can numbers be captured even if
the phone is not answered?
- My phone doesn't display any phone
numbers. How can I see the phone numbers of people calling me?
- What if I choose Per-Line Blocking,
but some people won't answer the phone unless they can see my number?
- What if I switch blocking options?
Does it cost anything to change my mind?
- If I move and order new phone
service, must I re-order Caller ID blocking?
- My home has more than one phone
number. Do I have to choose a blocking option for each one?
- Can I block the phone number when
I make calls from my cellular phone?
- Can phone numbers be blocked from
payphones?
- Will blocking work with modems?
What about fax numbers?
- Does blocking work at my workplace?
What about hotels and hospitals?
- How can I find out what type of
blocking has been selected on the phone I am calling from?
- What can marketers do with my
telephone number?
- What Is Anonymous Call Rejection?
- Is Caller ID offered everywhere?
- What happens when I call someone
long distance in another state?
- Is Caller ID useful in stopping
harassing phone calls?
- Are there other ways to stop harassing
phone calls?
- If I have complaints about
Caller ID service, who can I contact?
Caller Identification, or Caller ID, acts like
an electronic peephole, allowing a person receiving a phone call to see
who is calling before answering the phone. The caller’s telephone
number and/or name is displayed either on your phone (if your phone has
this feature) or on a display unit that you must buy separately. The
number and/or name appears after the first ring.
All cell phones have this feature, but it’s optional on traditional
phones for an extra fee of up to $10 a month if it’s not among
the features included in your rate plan.
Since it was introduced more a decade ago, Caller ID has become popular
as a way to screen for unwanted calls. It is often used by consumers
wishing to avoid telemarketers and those with personal safety concerns.
These devices raise privacy issues for both the caller and the person
being called. For one thing, Caller ID has become easier to subvert.
The ability to send out a false, misleading number to the person called — known
as “spoofing”— has serious implications for victims
of stalking, harassment, and identity theft.
Furthermore, there’s the issue of whether you even want your telephone
number being captured by the place you are calling. If someone does
not pick up the phone, the Caller ID device will retain the number — even
if it is unlisted — for future viewing . In addition, the time
and date of the call are also recorded and displayed.
Caller ID means you lose control over the privacy
of your phone number -- unless you take advantage of the free phone
number blocking options that are available to you and which are explained
below. It’s important to note that these features will not work in
all situations, such as when calling toll-free numbers or for emergency
assistance when using the 911 system. In these cases, your telephone
number will continue to be available to the person you are calling.
1. How does Caller ID
work?
Your local phone company or cell phone carrier sends your “Calling
Party Number” (CPN) with every call, much like a return address
on an envelope. Transmitted along with your CPN is a privacy flag that
tells the telephone switch at the receiving end whether to share your
number with the recipient. If you have blocking on your line, the phone
company you are dialing into knows your number but will not share it
with the person you are calling.
If you have blocking and you call someone who subscribes to Caller ID,
he or she will see the message “Private,” “P,” or “Anonymous” instead
of your phone number. (See exceptions below.)
This arrangement relies on uniform software in the phone equipment at
both ends of the call. In the United States this is backed by Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) rules that dictate how phone carriers
handle CPNs, Caller ID, and blocking. So most subscribers have come to
take Caller ID for granted.
But the system has never been wholly secure. Businesses have been able
to pay for the privilege of misrepresenting their phone numbers or, on
the other side of equation, getting a toll-free number that can access
an incoming caller’s number even if it is blocked.
Adding to the problem is that Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) networks — which
allow calls to be routed over the Internet — is outside FCC regulation.
Ordinary citizens using VoIP can fairly easily disguise where they are
calling from, and they can subvert Caller ID blocking to learn the phone
numbers of those who call them. This is known as “spoofing.” To
learn more about VoIP, read the FCC’s guide at www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/voip.html .
2. How does blocking work?
FCC rules require phone companies to make available free, simple, and
uniform per-line blocking and unblocking processes. These rules
give you the choice of delivering or blocking your phone number for any
interstate (between states) calls you make. (The FCC does not regulate
intrastate calls.)
Some Caller ID services also transmit the name of the caller. If you
request that your phone number be concealed, FCC rules require that a
carrier also conceal your name.
The two blocking options are:
? Per-Call Blocking. (Also known in some states as Selective Blocking.)
To block your phone number or name from appearing on a recipient’s
Caller ID unit on a single phone call, dial *67 before dialing
the phone number. Your number ordinarily will not be sent to the other
party. (See exceptions below.) But you must redial *67 each time you
place another call.
? Per-Line Blocking. (Also known in some states as Complete Blocking.)
Some states allow customers to select per-line blocking so that their
phone number will be blocked for every call they make on a specific
line unless they use the per-line unblocking option. If you want the
number transmitted to the called party, dial *82 before you dial
the number you are calling. You must redial *82 each time you want to
unblock.
3. Are there exceptions to blocking?
Several exceptions exist to the FCC blocking rules:
? 800 number/toll-free calls. You are not able to prevent the
display of your phone number when you call 800, 866, 877, 888, and 900
numbers. The called party, which pays for the call, may be able to identify
your phone number using Automatic Number Identification (ANI) technology.
FCC rules, however, limit parties that own toll-free numbers from distributing
the numbers identified through ANI.
? Emergency services. Calls to emergency lines — like 911 — are
exempted from federal Caller ID rules. When you call emergency numbers,
your phone number is transmitted even if you have Per-Line Blocking.
In fact, the display device used by emergency services usually shows
not only your phone number, but also your address so that police, fire
and ambulance services can locate you in case you’re unable to
provide the address.
? Telemarketers. Under FCC rules, telemarketers are required to
transmit Caller ID information and are prohibited from blocking such
information.
4. How can I choose the best blocking option?
Your local phone company will assign you Per-Call Blocking unless you
specify Per-Line blocking. So it’s important to make your choice
known.
Choosing Per-Line Blocking. The higher the risk you face if your
phone number is revealed, the more likely you will want to choose Per-Line
Blocking, called Complete Blocking in some states including California.
Your phone number will automatically be blocked for every call you
make when you select Per-Line Blocking, though you may unblock individual
calls by pressing *82 before dialing the number (1182 on rotary phones).
You may want to Per-Line Blocking if:
- You have an unlisted phone number. In
other words, you’ve already decided that telephone privacy is
so important that you are willing to pay a monthly fee to keep your
number private. You do not want your number being captured by people
and businesses you call.
- You are a victim of stalking, domestic violence, or
another form of harassment and must block your number at all times.
- You are a member of a profession in which
the privacy of your home phone is important. You may at times need
to make work-related calls from home and want to ensure that the persons
you call are not able to reach you there. Some examples are health
care professionals, especially mental health care providers; school
teachers; law enforcement officers; probation officers who may call
parolees from home; judges and other court officials; social workers;
entertainers; IRS and other government employees.
- You operate a domestic violence shelter or
a safe home and must safeguard the phone number and location of the
residents.
- You want to report crimes to the police
department's Crime Tips Line but wish to remain anonymous.
- You have occasion to call a "help" hotline and
want to remain anonymous. Such hotlines include those for suicide prevention,
AIDS information, immigration assistance, and mental health issues.
Here are some other situations where you might
choose Per-Line Blocking:
- You do a lot of price shopping from home
and do not want your phone number collected for marketing purposes
by the businesses you call.
- You have visitors to your home who might
use your phone, such as babysitters, your children's friends, relatives,
and other guests. You don't want to risk revealing your number when
such phone calls are made.
- You are helping a friend or relative who is vulnerable
to telemarketing scams like get-rich schemes, sweepstakes, and
prize offers. To help them limit who is able to capture their phone
number, you suggest they select Per-Line Blocking.
- In general, you are very conscious of your privacy and
want to take every precaution to safeguard it.
Choosing Per-Call Blocking. If you experience
few of the risks listed above, you may wish to choose Per-Call Blocking
for your home phone, called Selective Blocking in California and some
other states. Your phone number will be sent to the parties you are calling
unless you enter the code *67 before you dial (1167 on rotary phones.)
You will hear a "stutter" dial tone after entering *67
Situations in which Per-Call Blocking may make sense include:
- Most of the people you call from home are friends
and family. Those who subscribe to Caller ID do not like to pick
up the phone unless they see the phone number of the caller.
- You live alone, have few visitors, and are very
careful about your use of Per-Call Blocking. You’re not
likely to forget to enter the Selective Blocking code *67 when you
need to shield your number.
- You do not really know how you feel about
phone number privacy, so you choose Per-Call Blocking on a trial basis
to see how it works for you. You might change to Per-Line Blocking
in the future if you find that you prefer a higher degree of privacy.
Remember, Per-Call Blocking puts you at risk for
the occasional slip-up -- by yourself, guests, the babysitter, or children.
A single call where you or a guest forget to enter the code (*67) can
leave you open to unwanted marketing or, worse, a stalker or harasser.
Post the blocking sticker provided by the phone company on your phone
so you and others are reminded of the blocking option you have selected.
When you visit others and use their phone, always ask which blocking
option they use.
Make your choice known by calling your local phone company's toll-free
blocking selection number. You will receive a confirmation letter from
the phone company regarding the blocking option you selected. Remember,
unless you choose Per-Line Blocking, which is the strongest option for
people concerned about their privacy, you will automatically be given
Per-Call Blocking.
5. How do I know if the person or business I
am calling subscribes to Caller ID?
There is no way to know if they have Caller ID. If you are concerned
about your phone number being captured, you must use one of the blocking
options listed above.
6. Can numbers be captured even if the phone
is not answered?
Yes, in most cases. Some display devices can save up to 100 incoming
numbers, whether or not the phone is answered. This can allow, for example,
a business to know who called after hours.
But the incoming phone number is not captured in every instance. For
example, if the line is busy when someone tries to call, the Caller ID
display device will not capture the number. And it may not capture the
number if the called party has Call Waiting.
7. My phone doesn't display any phone numbers.
How can I see the phone numbers of people calling me?
You can subscribe to the Caller ID service by paying a one-time start-up
fee and a monthly charge to the local phone company. (Call your phone
company's business office for cost information.) You must also buy a
Caller ID device or a specially equipped telephone that displays incoming
telephone numbers. Display devices are sold by the phone company and
also by electronics stores, where the prices start at about $17. Used
devices are also available very inexpensively on Internet auction sites
such as eBay.
8. What if I choose Per-Line Blocking,
but some people won't answer the phone unless they can see my number?
You can selectively unblock your number and allow it to be transmitted.
Enter *82 each time you want your phone number displayed (1182 on rotary
phones).
9. What if I switch blocking options? Does it
cost anything to change my mind?
Usually, you get one change free and then a fee will be charged.
10. If I move and order new phone service, must I
re-order Caller ID blocking?
To play it safe, tell the phone company which blocking option you want
when you move.
11. My home has more than one phone number. Do I
have to choose a blocking option for each one?
Yes. If you want Per-Line Blocking on each line, you will need to order
it for each phone number in your home. If you do not specify which blocking
option you want, you will be given Per-Call Blocking. Remember, blocking
is free no matter how many phones you have.
12. Can I block the phone number when I make
calls from my cellular phone?
In most cases, no. But call your cellular provider to find out. Ask if
it uses “Signal Switching 7,” or "SS7," the telephone
switching technology that enables callers to block their phone numbers.
13. Can phone numbers be blocked from
payphones?
All payphones are supposed to allow Per-Call Blocking. (Note: Blocking
is only necessary when you put coins into the payphone. If the call is
operator-assisted or involves a calling or credit card, the payphone's
number is not transmitted to the recipient's phone; therefore, blocking
is not needed.)
14. Will blocking work with modems? What about
fax numbers?
If you do not want your modem's phone number to be transmitted, be sure
to choose one of the blocking options. Fax numbers are a different story.
Federal regulations require fax machines and fax cards in computers to
display the fax number on the document that is sent. (47 CFR 68.318)
So even if you block your fax number, it will still be printed on the
recipient's document.
15. Does blocking work at my workplace? What
about hotels and hospitals?
If your workplace uses Centrex (AT&T) or Centranet (Verizon), you’re
able to block your phone number. But blocking is not likely to work if
your office uses a PBX system or if you are on a switchboard. The same
is true for hotels and hospitals with PBX systems. If it is important
to block your number from the office, a hotel or hospital -- for example
if you are being stalked -- be sure to find out if blocking will work.
Listen for the "stutter" dial tone after dialing *67, a sign
that blocking works. You might want to make test calls to friends who
have Caller ID. When in doubt, use a payphone and enter the *67 blocking
code.
16. How can I find out what type of blocking
has been selected on the phone I am calling from?
In California, when using AT&T, call (800) 386-0000. For Verizon,
call (800) 483-8707. When you call this blocking-verification number
from the phone you want to use, a recorded message will tell you which
blocking method is in use for that phone line. This number does not
work in other states. So if you travel outside of California, ask
which blocking feature is available at the phones you use.
17. What can marketers do with my telephone number?
If you call companies to gather information about products, prices, or
hours of service, your telephone number could be captured unless you
block the number. Your phone number may have several uses:
- The company could simply use your number to
make sales calls to you.
- The company might match your phone number against
a data base containing names and addresses, and then mail you advertisements.
- Your number could be sold to companies that
compile lists for marketing purposes. The number would be matched against
large data bases containing names, addresses, and consumer profile
information (such as household income and ages). The enhanced mailing
list information would be sold to direct marketers.
18. What Is Anonymous
Call Rejection?
Some phone companies provide Anonymous Call Rejection. This programs
the phone to reject calls from anyone who blocks their phone number --
sometimes called "Block the Blocker." Callers hear an announcement
that the subscriber does not accept blocked calls.
Individuals can purchase devices in stores that do the same thing as
Anonymous Call Rejection. Instead of allowing the phone to ring, the
caller hears a recorded message stating that they must call again without
blocking the number.
19. Is Caller ID offered everywhere?
Caller ID is available in all 50 states but may not be available in all
areas of every state. If you are not sure if your area has Caller ID
and other Custom Calling Services, ask your phone company's business
office. Always read your bill inserts for information on these services.
No matter where you live, if you want to be sure that your phone number
is blocked, enter *67, the Per-Call Blocking code, before dialing the
number.
When you travel, keep in mind that Per-Line Blocking may not be available
everywhere. If you need to block your phone number while you are on the
road, play it safe by entering *67 before you dial the number. This blocking
code works in all 50 states.
20. What happens when I call someone long distance
in another state?
Caller ID crosses state lines, and so do the blocking codes. When you
make long distance calls, your phone number is sent to the party you
are calling, the same as if you're calling someone nearby. Unless you
use Per-Line or Per-Call Blocking, your phone number will appear on Caller
ID display devices in other states. (In a few areas Caller ID technology
is not yet installed. People who get calls from places where Caller ID
is not yet available will see the message "Out of Area" on
their display devices.)
21. Is Caller ID useful in stopping harassing
phone calls?
Most harassers will block their phone numbers or will call from payphones.
However, Caller ID can be used by people receiving harassing calls to
decide whether to answer calls. They can choose not to pick up calls
marked "private" or numbers they do not recognize.
22. Are there other ways to stop harassing
phone calls?
Yes. Other services are available, sometimes for an extra fee, from the
phone company to help you deal with harassing callers. Products may also
be available in stores for blocking harassing calls.
Call Trace. The phone company's Call Trace service allows
you to identify the phone number of the harassing caller, regardless
of whether the caller blocks the number. When you activate the Call Trace
code (*57) immediately following the harassing call, the caller's phone
number is recorded by the phone company. The phone number is not given
to you, however. You will be asked by the phone company to sign an
authorization form before the harasser's phone number is turned over
to law enforcement for further investigation.
To order the Call Trace service, you must pay a start-up fee. Some phone
companies then charge you each time you use Call Trace; others require
a monthly charge for an unlimited number of traces.
Call Trap. When you report repeated obscene or harassing
calls to the phone company's Annoyance Call Bureau, it can decide to
put a Trap on the line at no cost to you. You will be asked to keep a
log of the dates and exact times that you get harassing calls. The Trap
will be kept on your line for a specific period of time, usually two
weeks. When you give your log to the phone company, it will check the
number against its records to determine the phone number(s) of the harasser
and then give this information to law enforcement.
Choosing between Trap and Trace. Instead of choosing Call
Trap, the Annoyance Call Bureau might decide to provide you Call Trace
at no charge for a two- to three-week period. However, in areas where
Call Trace is not yet available, a Trap is the only way to track down
the numbers of harassing callers.
Call Screen (sometimes called Call Block or Selective Call Rejection).
This service allows you to block calls from up to 12 numbers, which you
identify. You can also block the number which just called you, even though
you may not know the actual number. Your phone will not ring when you
are called from one of these numbers. Instead, the caller will get the
message, "The party you are calling is not accepting this call." There
is both a start-up fee and monthly charge for this service.
Be aware that if you use Call Screen to reject calls from a harasser,
that person is likely to go to another phone or a telephone booth to
circumvent the Call Screen.
Selective Call Acceptance. You can program your phone line to
accept up to 12 phone numbers, those callers who you most want to talk
to. All other callers, including the harasser, hear a message that you
are not accepting calls now. You can turn this service on or off at any
time.
Call Return. This feature, in return for a start-up fee
and monthly charge, lets you automatically redial the last call you received.
Call Return is of limited use for harassing calls, however. When you
enter the Call Return code *69 to dial the most recent call, you are
not able to learn the number of the caller. (In some states, a voice
message gives that number to you when you enter *69, but not in California.)
If the returned call is a toll call, the last four digits of the number
do not appear on your phone bill. But you will have to pay the toll charge.
Another limitation is that Call Return only works in the local service
area.
Special devices. Special call-screening devices known as "inbound
call blockers" can be purchased that allow you to reject certain
calls. Only those callers who enter a special numeric code onto their
touchtone phones are able to ring through to your number. Victims of
harassing calls have reported these devices to be very effective. However,
you must be sure to give the code to everyone you want to talk to. You
could miss important calls from unexpected sources, including emergency
services. These and other types of call screening devices can be purchased
at many stores that sell consumer electronics devices.
Answering machine/service. Don't forget that the most effective
call screening device for harassers may be the answering machine, an
answering service, or voice mail.
For additional tips on dealing with harassing calls:
23. If I have complaints
about Caller ID service, who can I contact?
Complaints about Caller ID in can be made to your state’s public
utilities commission.
In California, that agency is:
For a directory of the public utilities commissions
in each state:
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