Glossary
Caller ID
Caller ID is the phone number, and sometimes a name, that a call shows on the receiving phone.
Caller ID explained
What it shows
The number comes from the phone network. A name, when there is one, is looked up separately, so it can be missing or out of date. Calls from mobile numbers often show only the number.
Why it isn't proof
Numbers can be faked, which is why spam calls sometimes appear to come from your own area code. Carriers have added ways to verify that a number is genuine, but caller ID is still best treated as a hint, not proof of who is calling.
Why the number isn't always the callback number
The phone a customer calls from is not always the phone they want you to call back. They may be on a borrowed phone, a landline at work, or calling from a car while their own phone is dead.
Keep reading
Related terms
- Lead captureLead capture is recording a prospective customer's details, such as name, number, need and location, when they first make contact, so someone can follow up.
- Call forwardingCall forwarding is a phone feature that redirects incoming calls from one number to another.
- Service areaA service area is the region where a business will take jobs, usually defined by ZIP codes, cities or a driving radius.
Where it matters
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