CNAM guide
Why caller names show wrong
Caller names can be wrong because CNAM data is not a single perfect live directory. Records can lag behind number ownership changes, carrier updates, business rebrands, or number porting events.
Common causes
- The number was recently ported to another carrier.
- The business changed its caller ID name but some databases have not updated.
- The number is mobile, VoIP, or toll-free and only has generic caller name data.
- The receiving carrier uses a different data source than the lookup provider.
What to do
If the number belongs to you or your business, ask your phone provider how to update outbound CNAM. If you are checking an unknown caller, treat the result as one signal rather than final proof.