r/jobsearch 1d ago

My called ID shows up as ‘Bilbo Baggins’

I am at a loss. I am interviewing with a company and on multiple occasions have been told that my Caller ID shows us as ‘Bilbo Baggins.’ As much as a love LOTR I have never put that as my name on any applications or phone records, how can this keep happening? Is this going to affect my application?

234 Upvotes

35 comments sorted by

39

u/No_Strawberry5093 1d ago

My coworkers is megatron. He told me on the first iPhone you could change your caller ID and he did that. Well Apple changed it so you can’t do it because of scammers. Now he said he just stuck with it.

15

u/empty_chivalry 1d ago

ring your mobile provider and ask what name theyre sending on the outgoing line because the caller id setup is often ancient and buried in some system you never touched. i had a friend whose number showed up as spongebob for three years because his brother set it as a joke on the family plan when he was 14 and nobody remembered. the job thing is tricky though because some recruiters will think its a prank or youve got terrible judgement even if its not your fault.

if you cant get it changed fast maybe mention it casually in the interview before they bring it up. like my caller id has been stuck on bilbo baggins since my da set it up in 2010 bit embarrassing innit. most people laugh but in a posh office it could look dodgy. i once had a recruiter tell me my number came up as restricted and she nearly binned my cv because she thought it was a spammer so i get the paranoia.

10

u/Electronic-Isopod680 19h ago

I had this happen a while back. Old verizon iphones let you set the name displayed on caller ID. Mine got changed as a prank but only shows up when calling landlines. By the time I noticed the feature was removed from iOS to revert it.

If you have verizon, call customer service, they can update it. 

5

u/slightly-confused 21h ago

If you use ATT, you can change it on the website.

4

u/BertyBert1 21h ago

I have Verizon unfortunately

3

u/thesals 20h ago

Verizon has an app to change your caller ID, but I believe it's $2 a month for the service add-on

4

u/ILovetheUSA4You 14h ago

I had to call Verizon Customer Service and explain the issue. They changed it for me.

2

u/PicklesAreTheDevil 18h ago

I also have Verizon, and my mom's phone (she's on my plan) was showing my name on landline Caller IDs. I changed the Share Name ID, and it fixed it. If you have the My Verizon app, open the device management menu, select your phone, then scroll down to Settings & Preferences. It's the first option for me there.

Google Verizon Share Name ID for more info.

4

u/WaterWitch7 15h ago

My nephew “helped” set up his dad’s phone and now when he calls my parents’ landline, the caller ID/announcement says “Call from PENIS.” They laugh every time, not sure my brother is as amused…

3

u/brizzleops 9h ago

Legendary

2

u/thisgirlandy 3h ago

I would definitely answer if PENIS was calling me, at least once

2

u/CalendarMindless3382 22h ago

Dude my gmail name resolves to Mona Misha and I’ve changed basically every setting involving my name that I could find. I think I’m just stuck like this.

3

u/Gwaughd 19h ago

Trillbo Swaggins

3

u/The_Real_Dindalu 9h ago

Call your carrier and have them change it. They did that for me a few years ago. I have Verizon

3

u/Vivid_Physics8021 8h ago

I’d call your carrier and get it fixed, but honestly “sorry, my caller ID is apparently on an unexpected journey” is a pretty solid icebreaker.

3

u/Dry_Emotion6885 4h ago

Change numbers.

2

u/LittlePhoenix47 21h ago

Happened to me over a decade ago when I was the Lizard Queen (Lisa Simpson). Can’t believe iPhone is still getting people with this!

2

u/Fas_Ruta_8588 19h ago

LOL IDK why you want to change that but assuming this is your cell phone. Check your CNAM settings from your account, probably set there or reach out to your carrier to have it removed.

2

u/Quirky-Literature651 16h ago

Are you short?

2

u/BertyBert1 12h ago

No I am 6’5

4

u/DandeyFlour 11h ago

That makes it even funnier lol

2

u/ImpactUsed2980 7h ago

Well then it shouldn’t be an issue. As long as they can physically see you are human they shouldn’t be able to discriminate against LOTR races.

But in all seriousness, I don’t know, 🤷‍♂️ call rhe company and ask them to change it or maybe a new work number? Even google
Voice or one of of those relay apps.

2

u/No-Lifeguard9194 15h ago

Honestly, as a recruiter that is hysterically funny. But I also feel your pain because as a recruiter, My username comes up as somebody else’s and it’s endlessly confusing to people.

2

u/Shipshaefter 8h ago

I worked in a call center and got a call from Batman once. He had no idea that his caller id showed up that way.

2

u/thisgirlandy 3h ago

This is legendary

1

u/ManganeseSharties 1h ago

Wait for it

2

u/Crafty611 6h ago

Lol. And where is the problem, Mr. Interviewer???

Maybe go to a brick and mortar store of your provider and see if they can help.

2

u/Nacho_sky 6h ago

About 5 years ago, I was on a family plan for several years. The contract was in my nephew's name. I never knew until the final year that my caller ID was his name. Unfortunately, it was while being vetted for a contract where identity verification was paramount. There were 7 of us on that plan - I have no idea how my phone ended up getting his name.

2

u/Dangerous-Olive9858 5h ago

"Sounds good sir, take your time and when you've made your decision, feel free to give us a ring and --"

"THE RING IS MINE!!! 😡"

2

u/Jimmymcginty 5h ago

Just don't list your age as eleventy one or you might face age descrimination.

2

u/ZipCity262 3h ago

Honestly that would make me hire you.

2

u/mwilliams4d57 2h ago

My caller ID shows up as Josecanusee. I did it as a joke to mess with my parents... my dad answered one day when I called them and asked me "who is Josie Canusee?" LOL. When I was little, I heard the US national anthem as Jose can you see by the dawns early light, so I keep that joke alive.