Technology Questions

[+ Gar1eth]

This probably isn't the correct part of the Message Center for this-- but I'm pretty sure more people read this than the Technology Section. So I hope people don't mind.

 

1). Am I still correct in my understanding that at least in the US of A, that while cell phones can show the number of the person calling, they still can't do an actual caller ID and show the name of the person calling unless that person's name is programmed into the phone with that number?

 

2) And I probably could have done this experiment myself-- but if you call a cell phone and that number has been forwarded to a landline with caller ID-- will the caller's name show up ( if the caller is not using ID blocking of course).

 

The reason I ask-- I was calling an escort a few months ago. Usually when I call someone before I meet them and know for certain they are on the up and up and not a fake-- I give them a nom de alias as it were ( it's my middle name so it's still really mine). I figure this way if the ad is a fake-- or something-- they don't have my name. Well last year I almost met with an escort. When I called him a second time using my nom de alias, I thought he initially used my real name-- and said something like I mean... ( the name I gave him). I was trying to figure out how he could possibly have discovered my name. I've never advertised my name with my cell phone. The only thing I could think of was maybe he forwarded his cell calls to a landline and my name showed up unless it was some strange fluke-- or he was psychic.

 

Thanks for all of the knowledge you people in the know are about to impart upon me

Me in advance.

 

Gman

[cany10011]

I think it depends on the carrier. For my mobile phone (Verizon), I get the number but not the name of the individual calling. For my home phone (Comcast), i get the full name and number of the individual calling. I also recall that my phone in Toronto (Bell Canada) also displayed the full name of the individual and number calling.

 

I've never understood using an alias when hooking up. It just gets confusing.

 

 

 

 

This probably isn't the correct part of the Message Center for this-- but I'm pretty sure more people read this than the Technology Section. So I hope people don't mind.

 

1). Am I still correct in my understanding that at least in the US of A, that while cell phones can show the number of the person calling, they still can't do an actual caller ID and show the name of the person calling unless that person's name is programmed into the phone with that number?

 

2) And I probably could have done this experiment myself-- but if you call a cell phone and that number has been forwarded to a landline with caller ID-- will the caller's name show up ( if the caller is not using ID blocking of course).

 

The reason I ask-- I was calling an escort a few months ago. Usually when I call someone before I meet them and know for certain they are on the up and up and not a fake-- I give them a nom de alias as it were ( it's my middle name so it's still really mine). I figure this way if the ad is a fake-- or something-- they don't have my name. Well last year I almost met with an escort. When I called him a second time using my nom de alias, I thought he initially used my real name-- and said something like I mean... ( the name I gave him). I was trying to figure out how he could possibly have discovered my name. I've never advertised my name with my cell phone. The only thing I could think of was maybe he forwarded his cell calls to a landline and my name showed up unless it was some strange fluke-- or he was psychic.

 

Thanks for all of the knowledge you people in the know are about to impart upon me

Me in advance.

 

Gman

[Guest blake andrews]

Gman,

 

some cell companies ie att&t send your name and # both out with the caller id feature. so if calling someone it will show the name they have in the system for you. verizon shows only the # and if they subscribe to caller id it will show them the city and state the call is from. as far as the forwarded calls i am unsure. i do know there is software out there that will unblock any blocked # calling you and record the name and even the conversation is some cases for you. hope this helps!

 

cheers,

[+ deej]

1). Am I still correct in my understanding that at least in the US of A, that while

 

I'm admittedly rusty on the technology, but I don't think you were ever correct.

 

Every phone call originating in the US has caller ID data associated with it. You can opt out, you can "mask" your number, but the data is still associated with the call and all opting out does is set a flag that tells the receiving end "don't display this". I don't think there's any actual law that says the flag has to be honored, and hackers for damn sure won't honor it. Many phone carriers do honor it, but not all and it's at their discretion.

 

If you don't want someone you're calling to know your number and/or name, then don't use your number to call them. Frankly, they have the right to know who is calling. Even if it's only for the coroner when their cold dead body is discovered.

[instudiocity]

Every phone call originating in the US has caller ID data associated with it. You can opt out, you can "mask" your number, but the data is still associated with the call and all opting out does is set a flag that tells the receiving end "don't display this". I don't think there's any actual law that says the flag has to be honored, and hackers for damn sure won't honor it. Many phone carriers do honor it, but not all and it's at their discretion.

That's what happens to me on my ATT Wireless Phone. The call will come in as "BLOCKED" or "UNKNOWN" but the number actually appears on my online bill about six hours later.

 

The "UNKNOWN" is explained to mean the technology between the originator and my phone doesn't support Caller ID. The "BLOCKED" means the originator blocked their number when calling. But if I note the time when the call comes in, about six hours later, the number will appear on the online (and monthly bill) call log.

[josephga]

Iv been with AT&T since 2003. only time a name shows up is if the callers someone in my address book iv created a name for. everything else just shows the number, or come up as private or unknown. the private and unknows numbers I never answer

[+ deej]

That's what happens to me on my ATT Wireless Phone. The call will come in as "BLOCKED" or "UNKNOWN" but the number actually appears on my online bill about six hours later.

 

If the phone is recent enough, it will generally have enough data to return the call even when it displays either BLOCKED or UNKNOWN. It can freak people out.

 

An escort once called me from a friend's phone because he'd just dropped & broken his. After the call I had one more question so I just redialed without thinking about it. (It was quick enough, he probably still had the phone in his hand.) He was stunned: "HOW DID YOU GET THIS NUMBER?!?!?!?!" Truth be told, I didn't have the number. But the phone did!

[+ Gar1eth]

While I appreciate the responses--I pretty much knew all this. I don't think anyone answered my questions specifically. So on a cell phone does anyone get the name and number of a person that is not already in your contact list/address book. I've had sprint, T-mobile and ATT- and none of my phones ever revealed a name unless they were in my address book.

 

And from the replies--it sounds like no one has tried the forwarded phone question.

 

As for using an alias--obviously both the client or the escort could be a flake. I know what I am--that leaves the only open variable the escort. I don't think it's that strange that before I meet the guy, I'd prefer he didn't have my name. He already has my phone number. Plus if I get a call in the middle of the day from a number I don't recognize--and he uses my alias--well then I know it's dealing with my hobby and not my work/family world--and no I'm single-- and not cheating on a boyfriend. It just makes things simpler for me. That's why so many escorts uses aliases too--aside from the legality--I'm sure many like a way of separating business from their personal life. When we actually meet and I know the escort is on the up and up is definitely time for a real name.

 

Gman

[Guest greatness]

Is it possible that you have a common name and he just misspoke your name? I think it is the simplest explanation.

[Guest greatness]

Come to think of it I didn't answer your question.

 

1) Yes you are right

 

2) Yes and no. You will probably be able to get the caller ID since the caller ID is sent all the way to the final receiver no matter what. Sometimes you may not get the caller ID depending on the phone company you use. There is nothing you can do about that. He might have seen your real name when he forwarded your call to a landline phone but it's just a speculation. Why don't you just ask him? It will be much easier.