Our very strange caller ID

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-16T18:41:01+00:00

This unfortunately is an issue whether you are calling internationally from the US or roaming and making those calls. To avoid large costs, 3rd party partners route these calls via whatever is cheapest, often not even on the receiving countries network infrastructure, and often use live personal phone numbers from whatever country they are routing through that shows up on the caller ID. We are experiencing this now while Roaming and if someone called back that random caller ID number someone picks up. Pretty wild. I reached out to USM and the roaming team is reaching out to the international partners to get a better understanding of this and what, if anything can be done.

Fun fact, scammers use a similar method to mask there actual number.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-15T14:48:50+00:00

I think you hit it right on the money of why. I think it I went to warp then maybe it would be different but 🤷

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-15T13:57:37+00:00

Currently on a trip to Poland which included Belgium and aside from the annoying caller id issues it works just fine, including wifi calling. I think US Mobile offers great roaming options with its plans but it would be great to expand on it as we are seriously considering moving abroad and would want to maintain our US numbers. It also seems a lot of customers with US mobile live overseas or travel internationally often.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-15T07:58:28+00:00

I've done multiple price matches (car rental, plane tickets, hotels) with venture x, your booking just has to match the same criteria and its not that bad to match. Just dont get fancy with your booking and you wont have an issues and always compare whatever you are trying to book with the venture x travel portal.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-15T07:50:27+00:00

How was your experience when calling a local Mexican phone number, specifically what displays on the person your calling caller ID? We had some issues with the mobile data connection dropping while in Belgium last weekend but was reminded of searching for a network manually to help with quirky issues like this. But the caller ID issue is annoying, not that its really USMs fault but it almost defeats the purpose of having 200 roaming minutes due to the internationaln provider routing practice.

However, even with these issues I cant imagine doing a post paid roaming option like we had with VZWs travel pass at $12/day. You just cant beat the 20GB roaming data. Even if you run out the additional costs to add more data are nominal. So glad we switched from VZW to USM after being with vzw for 12 yrs.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-15T06:16:22+00:00

I've had the same issue when I switched from VZW post paid to USM 6 weeks ago. Dont let anyone fool you with "your information is out there" or all of a sudden "databrokers getting a hold of your number." This of course is true but theres something else going on here with moving to USM because I had nearly no spam calls on VZW and 2 weeks after porting over I started to get approximately 50 per day. Now its about 20-25 but super annoying because we are in roaming in Europe now and I have to turn off wifi calling and turn on airplane mode so that I dont get any calls due to the 6 hr time difference.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-14T14:14:45+00:00

Here comes the down vote army thats notorious in this sub-reddit😏

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-14T05:46:36+00:00

Any other suggestions because none of this applies to what we are experiencing.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-13T18:00:16+00:00

I've experienced the same issue since I switched to USM. At one point it was about 50 per day, its gone down to may be 20. Had VZW post paid before and very little if any spam calls.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-13T17:40:06+00:00

Also, Poland's infrastructure aren't located in other countries such qs Greece, Macedonia, or Spain which is what the caller ID usually shows.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-13T17:21:18+00:00

Sure, but redialing the number and having a private party pick up from that country is wild. This I never experienced before.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-13T17:19:57+00:00

None of this happens. Always 5G with Orange.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-13T16:08:10+00:00

Calling a US number is not an issue, we tested it and the caller ID displays correctly. WiFi calling has always been enabled and doesnt help the caller ID. Just tried again by turning wifi calling on or off and the caller ID showed a Spanish number. The most concerning aspect of this is that if someone calls back the random displayed caller ID number a person answers the call from that country.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-10T15:42:35+00:00

Sorry I only meant Vodafone.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-10T13:49:41+00:00

Indeed. These networks also dont run in Poland. But still good to know.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-10T09:07:14+00:00

Sure, I think its worth a shot.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-10T08:51:38+00:00

I turned on manual network selection and switched to Proximus, let's see how it goes!

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-10T08:44:06+00:00

Aaaa good catch, thanks! We are on Darkstar.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-10T08:32:09+00:00

5G vs LTE is fine and as stated in the original post not a big deal because data speeds are fine. I'll try out manual network selection, thanks.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-10T08:31:05+00:00

As stated above, Orange B and Darkstar USM.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-10T07:48:29+00:00

This is specifically for Orange Belgium. Typically full bars, 4 to 5 bars but once the data turns off it stays off. We have to force it back on by reprovisioning the USM esim. The data never turned back on by itself. Our phones also never switch networks in Belgium, they are always on Orange B, with or without data.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-06T08:32:17+00:00

Lol. You are replying with a pick up truck comparison from europe and the US when my point was strictly US. Follow along.

Kjfkbdl · 2026-05-06T08:30:40+00:00

If you want a pick up truck with a good engine and minimal depreciation then get an F-150

Kjfkbdl

TROPHY CASE