> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.limecall.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.limecall.com/virtual-numbers/caller-id.md).

# Caller ID

Control what people see when you call them.

Open **Phone Numbers → Caller ID**.

Caller ID is the number displayed to the person you are calling. Getting it right materially changes how many people answer.

## The three settings

LimeCall separates caller ID by purpose, because the right answer differs.

**Account default** — used when nothing more specific is set.

**Callback caller ID** — shown when the widget connects a callback. This is the one that matters most. The visitor just asked to be called and is watching their phone; if an unrecognised number appears, a good share will not answer. Use a number that matches your brand and ideally the visitor's region.

**Outbound caller ID** — the default for calls your team dials.

## Per-number overrides

Any individual number can override the account default. Useful when a regional team should show a local number, or when a campaign line should always present itself as that campaign.

## Showing a number you own elsewhere

To display a number that is not in your LimeCall account — an existing office line, for example — verify it first.

1. Open the **Caller ID** tab and add the number.
2. LimeCall calls it and reads out a verification code.
3. Enter the code.

You must be able to answer that number to complete this. It is a carrier requirement designed to prevent spoofing, and there is no way around it.

## Local presence

Showing a local number raises answer rates, particularly for consumer calls. People answer a number that looks like their area.

Buy a number in each region you sell into and set it as the caller ID for calls to that region. See [Buy a number](/virtual-numbers/buy-a-number.md).

{% hint style="warning" %}
Do not rotate through many numbers to evade filtering. Carriers detect the pattern and flag the numbers as spam, which is much worse than the problem you were solving.
{% endhint %}

## Getting marked as spam

Modern phones label suspected spam, and a labelled number is largely useless.

What causes it: high volume from a new number, short call durations, low answer rates, and recipients marking calls as spam.

What helps:

* Warm a new number up gradually.
* Call people who are expecting it — callbacks are ideal.
* Register your number with the US caller-ID registries if you call US numbers.
* Do not use a single number for high-volume cold outbound.

## Withheld caller ID

You can withhold caller ID, but almost nobody answers an unknown number, and some networks reject withheld calls outright. There is rarely a good reason.

## The "call us" number

Separately, the widget can display a number for visitors who prefer to dial you. Set this under [General settings](/callback/general.md). It must be a number you own.

## Testing

Call your own mobile from LimeCall and check what appears. Test each configuration you have set — callback and outbound can differ, and only testing both reveals it.