# What Recipients See: Shared Numbers Explained

> By default your CallTuv calls show a real number from our shared pool - here's how Shared Numbers work and when to use your own number instead.

**TL;DR:** By default your calls show a real number from CallTuv's shared pool (usually a US number) - that's normal, keeps your number private, and isn't an error. Prefer showing your own number? Verify it once.

Every call needs a caller ID - the number the recipient's phone displays. CallTuv gives you two options: the default **Shared Number**, or [your own verified number](/help/8927354-verify-your-own-number-as-caller-id).

## How Shared Numbers work

When you call with the Shared Number setting (the default for new accounts), the recipient sees a real phone number drawn from CallTuv's pool - usually a **US number**. Seeing a different number than your own on the recipient's screen is **normal and not an error on your account**: it's how the default setting works, and it keeps your personal number private. The number shown is a legitimate, working-format number - not "Unknown" or "No Caller ID" - which helps your calls look normal and get answered.

Because the pool is shared across CallTuv:

- **The number can differ between calls** - you're not assigned one specific number.
- **It's outbound-only** - if the person calls the number back, they won't reach you. Shared Numbers are for making calls, not receiving them.

## When Shared Numbers are the right choice

- You're calling businesses, hotlines, or services that don't need to call you back.
- You want to keep your personal number private.
- You just signed up and want to start calling immediately, with zero setup.

## When to use your own number instead

If you're calling family, clients, or anyone who should recognize you and be able to call you back on their regular phone line, verify your own mobile or landline number as your caller ID - then every CallTuv call displays *your* number. It takes about a minute:

- [Verify Your Own Number as Caller ID](/help/8927354-verify-your-own-number-as-caller-id)
- [Switching or Removing Your Caller ID](/help/3260918-switching-or-removing-your-caller-id)

## Where to find the setting

- **Web dialer:** the caller ID selector on the **Call** page, showing "Shared Numbers" or your custom number.
- **Mobile app:** **Settings → Caller ID**.

Your caller ID choice applies account-wide - set it once and it's used on web, mobile, and the extension alike.