AboutSpencer Holcombe Expertise Hi, thanks for checking me out, I have several years in the telecom industry, working for Pacific Telephone,American Bell,AT&T,AT&T Communications,AT&T Information Systems, and Pacific Bell-SBC. I can answer most questions regarding Telephones,wiring,jacks,PBX, Local and Long Distance,Billing,Custom calling services, Customer Service,and Fraud. I can`t answer Cellular questions.
Expert: Spencer Holcombe Date: 2/13/2007 Subject: Phone Caller ID Problem
Question I had to change my phone number due to harassing calls. Since getting the new phone number (six months ago), when I call the same people I always called, instead of MY name appearing on recipients' Caller ID, the name of the person who previously had my number appears. Recently, I phoned my brother in another state and he would not pick up the phone because his Caller ID showed that a "John Jones" was calling. A year and a half ago, I moved from New York to Ohio. I received a new phone number, which I had for about a year. No problem with MY ID appearing when I called people. Because of harassing phone calls I had to change the number. Since getting the new number six months ago, the very same people I used to call without a problem seeing my own name -- now say that I appear as "John Jones."
The reason for my question is that for six months I've been trying to get the situation fixed with my Phone Svce Provider, AT&T. They keep telling me that the reason this is happening is because the Phone Svce Providers of the people I call need to update their Databases.
MY QUESTION: Why -- for a year with the original number -- I didn't have this problem? The people I call haven't changed. Their Phone Svce Providers have not changed. The only thing that's changed is the phone number.
I cannot understand AT&T's explanation. Is what they're saying right? Or, do they have a glitch in their system which they can't fix and are they giving me the runaround?
PLEASE HELP! Thanks.
Answer Alida,
Although every phone company has to update their records, call AT&T again and ask that THEY request it be done. You can also have your brother and others call their local company and request it as well. The reason it's happening is because the records are outdated in one or more of the chain of data being sent, either at your end or along the way to your called numbers. If your local friends and called parties say YOUR name appears, it's not AT&T in your area with the problem, and concentrate on your brothers local provider. Spencer
