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Gone are the days when many of us could be persuaded to pick up the phone without knowing who was on the other end of the line. As telemarketing and survey efforts have escalated, so too, have consumers’ willingness to screen those who are calling. Caller ID (or, CID) was designed to help people filter the calls they want to take from those that can wait (or be ignored entirely).

This article will introduce the feature and explain the basics regarding how it works. We’ll also describe an activity called spoofing that many dishonest organizations use in order to circumvent screening. Lastly, we’ll offer a few tips for using the service effectively.

Basics Of CID Technology

Caller ID was originally developed for the POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) system, though cell phone providers now offer something similar to their subscribers. The phone number of the person calling is displayed on the recipient’s telephone screen, or on a separate device.

When a person calls your telephone number on the POTS network, the connection is routed through your provider’s phone switch before it reaches you. It is accompanied by a Calling Party Number (CPN). If the person has requested blocking, that instruction is also sent to the switch, which prevents the CPN from showing on your display.

In order for this process to work properly, the POTS network must use homogeneous equipment at both the receiving and originating ends. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the entire CID process.

What Is Spoofing?

Caller ID spoofing is a technique that causes the number that displays to the recipient to be different than the actual CPN. In most cases, this is done in order to bypass screening efforts. For example, an aggressive telemarketing firm may have already had its CPN blocked; they might use spoofing in order to get through. But, the practice can border on fraudulence. With the right software, the spoofing party can cause any telephone number they wish to show up on your CID display. If the person wishes to get through and fears he will be screened, he can spoof a trusted telephone number (i.e. friend, family member, etc.).

Using CID Effectively

Most telephone service providers offer CID without charge. As long as your phone has a display screen, or you purchase a separate unit to display the CPN, you’ll be able to use the feature. Having said that, the key to using it effectively is to understand its limitations. There are people and organizations that regularly spoof (despite pending legislation that will make it illegal). While there is little you can do to prevent it from happening, make a note regarding the number being spoofed. That way, you can reference it later for incoming calls.

Also, keep in mind many callers will request that their CPN be blocked. Check with your carrier to see if they offer anonymous call rejection, which will forward such callers to a recorded message.

Even though the service is not infallible, Caller ID can be a valuable tool for saving time and screening calls you would rather avoid.

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