Inbound caller-ID behavior is intentional: you should be able to tell instantly that a call is paid, but you shouldn't be able to see who's calling (and neither should they see you).

What you see

Your phone rings. The caller ID shows your own PaidLine number. The caller's real number is hidden — you don't see who's calling, but you immediately know it's a PaidLine call.

What the caller sees

They've already given consent and authorized payment — they know they're calling you. From their end, the call appears to be going to your PaidLine number (which they dialed). Your real number is never visible.

Why this matters

Two simultaneous benefits:

  • Recognition — your phone rings with your PaidLine number, you know it's a paid call (not a friend, not spam)
  • Privacy — the caller's personal number stays hidden until you've both agreed to share contact details through the vCard exchange

The spam-filter snag (and the fix)

Modern phones aggressively filter unknown numbers. If your PaidLine number isn't saved in your contacts, the phone may show it as "Possible Spam" or filter it to voicemail. Save your own PaidLine number in your contacts with a clear label like "PaidLine Incoming" or "PaidLine Business Line."

After saving, the caller ID shows your contact name instead of just digits, and the spam filter trusts it.