Reply #69: ANI service on many numbers

[RichardRay]

You've got caller ID blocked, Automatic Number Identification (ANI) is independent of caller ID. All or nearly all toll free calls include ANI digits since it's used extensively in call center software to track call volumes for a variety of purposes. One typical application is to attach a different toll free number to the same ad in several publications and route all the calls to the same call center. By collecting the toll free numbers called and the calling numbers the effectiveness of each type of ad in various markets can be determined. It is also the underlying technology for 911 call backs and locators.

ANI services are not restricted to toll free numbers, although they are ubiquitous in that arena. Since it's a low level service provided by the switching devices in the telephone networks it's not easy to block where it is available.

Remember what Larry Ellison said, "Privacy is a myth, get over it."

Richard Ray - Jackson Hole, WY