IP: ANI is NOT Caller ID: [risks] Risks Digest 21.59 [need to remiind folks on this often djf]

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2001 21:03:13 -0400 (EDT)
> From: danny burstein <dannyb () panix com>
> Subject: ANI is NOT Caller ID (Re: Green, RISKS-21.57)
>
> This brings up the reminder that Caller Name/Number ID (CNID) is NOT the
> same thing as Automatic Name/Number Identification (ANI).
>
> The former, which is what is used by (the vast majority of) homes and
> "regular" (non "800") business lines, can be blocked by the caller on
> either a permanent per-line basis, or as a choice per-call. (Usually by
> prepending a special code, generally "*70", before dialing out).
>
> The latter, which is in use internally by the telcos and by businesses
> with (so-called) toll-free (1-800/888/877/866, and soon 855) numbers, can
> NOT be blocked  by the caller. Adding in the blocking prepend will NOT
> have any effect.
>
> So... whenever you reach out to a tollfree number, the recipient of that
> call *will* get your phone number. Which, of course, lets them kick it
> through a database for all sorts of other purposes. Sometimes, as in this
> case, namely credit card receipt verification, a perfectly valid and
> legitimate one.
>
> The RISK: having just enough knowledge (about blocking CNID) to believe
> you're keeping info (your phone number) private when no such thing is
> happening.



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