| Calling Number Identification (CNID) service, better | | | | consumers feel that this service is an invasion of |
| known as caller ID, is a phone feature used by many | | | | privacy, and they don't like the idea that the person |
| landline and cell phone consumers. Caller identification | | | | they are calling is provided with their phone number. |
| enables you to see the number and usually the name | | | | For instance, if you were calling someone you didn't |
| of the business or person calling. Thus, many people | | | | know very well or whom you had just met on an |
| like the service because it enables them to better | | | | online dating site, etc., you may not feel comfortable |
| protect their privacy and screen unwanted calls. | | | | with this person having your number. This is because |
| Caller ID was invented in Greece during the 1960's, but | | | | they may be able to use it to trace your location or |
| the first market trial did not occur until the mid 1980's in | | | | learn other personal details about you. |
| Florida. This was also the same time when the term | | | | Due to this fact, phone consumers can dial *67 prior to |
| "caller ID" was first used to describe the service. Bell | | | | entering the number they wish to call and their number |
| South became the first telecommunications company | | | | and name will not show up on the call recipient's caller |
| to deploy CNID, and as it became more and more | | | | ID. In addition, certain nefarious individuals, who are |
| popular, other phone companies began to offer the | | | | looking to harass a phone consumer, can use caller ID |
| service to their customers. | | | | spoofing to trick the person into thinking that the call is |
| As was previously mentioned, today, many people | | | | from someone else, as the name and number of the |
| have caller ID and many other convenient phone | | | | real caller is disguised with false information. |
| features hooked up to their telephone service, including | | | | As you can see, there are ways people can prevent |
| call waiting, visual call waiting (the ability to see who is | | | | caller ID from revealing their identity. Nevertheless, if |
| on the second line when you are already on the | | | | you subscribe to CNID, although you cannot always |
| phone), call forwarding, etc. However, like any | | | | trust that the name and number being displayed is |
| technology, CNID is not without its flaws. | | | | accurate, keep in mind that caller ID provides you with |
| How effective is caller ID? For the most part, caller | | | | a phone number, and you can learn more about |
| identification is very useful, and most of the times it | | | | numbers you don't recognize through a reverse cell |
| displays accurate information. That said, some phone | | | | phone lookup service. |