Verified Caller ID
Verified Caller ID lets you display an external phone number - one that's not on your Tonet account - as the outbound caller ID when your team makes calls.
This is useful when:
- You're porting your number - During the porting process (which can take 1-4 weeks), verify your existing number so outbound calls still show it as caller ID while you wait.
- You have a well-known number - Customers recognize your established number. Use it as caller ID even if it's hosted elsewhere.
- Your old system is down - Keep displaying your business number on outbound calls while you transition to Tonet.
Verified Caller ID Tab
Go to Manage > Phones and click the Verified Caller ID tab to see all your verified numbers.
The table shows each verified number with its friendly name and verification status.
Verification Process
Why verify? You must prove you own the number before it can be used as caller ID. This prevents anyone from spoofing someone else's number on outbound calls.
Step 1: Add a new Caller ID
Click Add a new Caller ID on the Verified Caller ID tab. Enter:
- Phone number - The external number you want to verify
- Friendly name - A label to remember what this number is (e.g. "Old Office Line", "Rick Cell")
Step 2: Receive the verification call
After submitting, you'll see a 6-digit verification code on screen. Tonet's automated system will call the phone number you entered.
Answer the call and enter the 6-digit code using your phone's keypad.
Can't answer the phone? Most carriers can forward a phone number to another number even if your phones are down. Ask your current carrier to temporarily forward the number you're verifying to one of your Tonet numbers, then try the verification again.
Step 3: Verification complete
After the call completes and the code is accepted, you'll see a success notification. The number now appears in your Verified Caller ID list with a verified status.
Using a Verified Caller ID
Once a number is verified, you can assign it to any of your Tonet phone numbers:
- Go to the phone list and click the edit icon on the number you want to configure
- In the Configure tab, find the Caller ID dropdown
- Select your verified number from the list
- Click Save Settings
All outbound calls made from that Tonet number will now display your verified number as the caller ID. You can assign the same verified number to multiple Tonet numbers.
Important Notes
- Verified Caller ID only affects outbound calls. Inbound calls to your Tonet numbers are unaffected.
- The external number itself does not need to be on Tonet - it can be with any carrier. You just need to be able to answer a verification call on it.
- If you port the number to Tonet later, it becomes a regular Tonet number and no longer needs to be "verified" - it's already yours.
- Removing a verified caller ID from the list means any phone numbers using it as caller ID will revert to showing their own number.