Legally-binding Caller ID?

Question

After receiving yet another phone call from someone who refuses to show their identity in the Caller ID screen, I'm left to wonder, should it even be legal to call someone yet hide your identity? These companies constantly use unfamiliar abbreviations, code words, junk like a number with all "1's", etc.., in an attempt to hide who they really are. Shouldn't they be required by law not only to show their actual name and number in the display, but also tell you who they are? I've even had MCI lie to me in the past and claim not to be MCI. Thoughts?

For those mentioning collections agents, I am referring to general business solicitations, not debt collectors. I can see your point, but they have other ways of getting to you than hiding behind a screen. Think about it, though. Prank calls would be more difficult. Charities, voter lobbies, etc.., you could just see their name and not pick up. I don't feel I should have my desire to see who is calling before picking up nullified because someone else might be in debt.

Ankhorite :

You raise an incredibly valid point. I suppose a commercial entity legislation could deal with the bulk of our worries. However, I'm afraid if there was any loophole, a corporation or individual within said corporation would find a means of exploiting it. Here's a counter-offer for you to consider...what about making payphones not register on Caller ID, or just read as "PAYPHONE"? That way, the victim's/witness' anonymity is protected.

Answer 1

First, you shouldn't try to block all hidden caller i.d. Hidden caller i.d. is very important to people who are calling rape or child abuse hotlines, for example.

Second, you could support FEDERAL (not state!) legislation that requires all commercial entities (that means businesses) and solicitors to phone from numbers that produce an accurate caller i.d. of the company name, or, in the case of solicitors, a phone number which produces "SOLICITOR" as the caller i.d. display (otherwise, they'll just name themselves mysterious things like "ABC Corporation.")

You can TRY to get federal legislation, but unfortunately, you will probably fail. The creepy companies who do this can buy more of your congressman's attention than you can. :( Your only hope is to get a big press campaign going, so that this becomes a national issue with enough public attention that congressmen are embarrassed to be caught voting against your desire for honesty. In fact, you could call it "The Caller I.D. Honesty Act of 2008" when you begin asking for it.

Answer 2

Collections agencys are required by law to tell you that the call is an attempt to collect a debt and all information collected is used in order to cocllet the debt. Unfortunatly they are not required to give who they are or what they are calling about except to the person involved in the case. As for hiding their number from caller id? Well, would you want someone you were trying to get money from to know it was you so that they can ignore your call constantly?
You can set your phone preferences not to accept blocked or unidentified numbers, thus reducing the amount of calls you recieve from numbers with out names.
I dont see the neccessity to pass a law requiring them to have their name and number show up on caller id. As far as solicitors, put your number on the national do not call list and if they call simply tell them that you are on that list and if they call again you will report them.

Answer 3

I agree with you that business has stooped to all time lows attempting to get around the current laws with Do Not Call Registries!

Most of the time those calls do generate a "business" code through the phone system and your phone service should have a "call reject" option!

Check it out!

Best wishes.

Answer 4

You can set your phone to not accept calls from numbers with blocked caller ID. They have the right not to send it, you have the right not to receive it.

Answer 5

you can block your identity on caller ID. However, if someone is trying to collect a bill, it is illegal to claim to be someone that they are not and they can be reported to the states atty generals office.