Why Is the Wrong Name Showing When I Call People?
Have you ever called someone, and they said: “Wait… why does it say you’re Dr John Doe?” Or maybe you called a new client and they didn’t answer – because their phone showed the wrong business name, or even “Spam Risk” flag! This issue happens more often than you think – and most people don’t even realise it’s affecting their business.
📱 Why This Happens
When you call someone, especially if your number isn’t saved in their mobile phonebook (contacts), their phone often tries to match your number to a name using public databases. This is called Caller ID name lookup – and like everything else on the Internet, it’s not always accurate!
Here’s how the mess happens:
- iPhones (iOS) use services like Siri, Mail, and even third-party apps to suggest a name.
- Android phones rely heavily on Google Business Profiles and other online sources.
- Some phones use third-party databases like Hiya or TrueCaller.
So, if your number was once used by a bakery, or listed under the wrong name in an online directory, that old info might still show up when you call someone today. You found a plumber’s number online, called them, and your phone said “Dr John Doe” is calling. Or, you picked up a call from “Tom’s Bakery,” but it turned out to be a builder named Sam.
🛠️ How to Fix It
Here are a few ways to fix or update your caller ID name:
✅ 1. Register or Update with Hiya
Hiya is one of the biggest global databases used by phones and carriers to show caller names.
You can:
- Register your number for free | Link Here
- Submit a request to change or remove your number’s caller ID name or spam rating | Link Here
It’s fast, and free great first step – to our experience – for any Aussie mobile or landline user.
✅ 2. Update Your Google Business Profile
If your number is linked to an old or closed business, log into your Google account and:
- Remove or update the number from the old business listing
- Make sure your current business has the correct number listed
⚠️ 3. Disabling Name Suggestions on Your Own Phone
This doesn’t fix the issue – it only hides the wrong name from showing on your own phone. The person you’re calling might still see incorrect info.
However, if you find your own phone showing mismatched names when others call you, you can:
-
Turn off “Siri Suggestions” or “Found in Mail” on iPhone | Link Here
-
Disable “Caller ID & Spam” features or change caller ID apps on Android | Link Here
These are personal display settings — they don’t affect what others see when you call them
🧠 Pro Tip from CALLPRO
At CALLPRO, we test and supply clean, spam-free local and landline numbers to our clients – ensuring you show up with the right name and reputation when calling customers. No one wants their number flagged as spam or mistaken for someone else’s!
Thinking of getting a new business number or switching providers?
Talk to us first – we’ll make sure your number works for your brand, not against it.
💬 Final Thought
This is one of those hidden problems that quietly hurt businesses and personal reputations – and most people won’t know about it until someone tells them. That someone could be you.
👉 Share this article with a friend, a family member, or a local business you care about. Sharing is caring, so is answering calls with the right name.
– The CALLPRO Team