Skype credit for Caller ID

[csapiano]

I just got a subscription plan for unlimited US/Canada calling and I'd like to set up the caller ID. I'm informed that I need about $0.25 worth of Skype credit for them to send the verification texts, but when I go to purchase Skype credit I can only seem to find the option to purchase $14 worth. I don't need this much credit, where can I purchase Skype credit in smaller amounts?

[r4ndom]

Hi,

Indeed, you would need some Skype Credit to verify your mobile number as caller ID and the purchase amounts vary a bit from country to country. In your case, this seems to be the minimum amount.

Then again, you can use this Skype Credit for calls not covered by your subscription, buy an Online Number (if available in your country) so your friends without Skype can call you at local rates, send low cost SMS messages and forward calls.

You can also use Skype Credit to connect to over 200,000 WiFi hotspots worldwide using Skype Access. 

[d_schnell]

I'm in the same boat. I don't want to buy a number or credit - they need to set up alternative methods to verify a number. my subscription is only $3 per month for a reason. (low budget).

[Andre Staff Moderator]

Thank you for your feedback.

At the moment Skype verifies you as the mobile number owner by sending an SMS to your number and since SMS messages is paid service, Skype Credit is used for it.

Hopefully in the future there will be alternative options.

Andre

[eliteinc]

that's completely unacceptable. it's also completely unacceptable for people i call to see the wrong number. it's Further unacceptable for them to continually be calling back some poor person who has nothing to do with me or my business just because skype won't send free verification of the change. i changed my number everywhere else in the system, why would caller-id need a whole separate process!?

[eliteinc]

actually Skype STOLE about $10 from me several years ago. when they finally lost a class-action suit about it, i didn't find out until too late and didn't get the $4 settlement i was entitled to. for my money skype is pure evil, there's just not another alternative out there (yet) that i've found to do the same thing... but it will happen, probably from MagicJack, and the instant it does i'm so gone!

[Andre Staff Moderator]

Skype depends on numerous phone operators to deliver it's calls from point A to point B. If you are in one of the very few countries where caller ID or SMS ID is not fully supported then of course it is rather inconvenient for your friends to call back, but caller ID should not be someone else's phone number. If your caller ID is shown as someone else's actual phone number then this can be investigated.

Regarding charges, setting your an Online Number as caller ID is completely free of charge. If you wish to set your mobile number as caller ID then verification is required for secruity reasons. If there wasn't any verification then someone could use your mobile number as their caller ID and abuse it.

One of the easiest and secure ways to verify mobile number is via SMS. Now, SMS service comes from Skype partners, thus it costs money. Customers who wish to set up their mobile as caller ID will be charged.

When it comes to Skype Credit expiration, customers can make calls to extend expiration date any time they wish. Even if they don't have the option to make the call and get in touch with Skype Customer Service before expiration then support team can help. For quite some time now we also have 3rd option: https://support.skype.com/en-us/faq/FA10378/How-can-I-re-activate-inactive-Skype-Credit

Not everything is so simple black and white, but I can assure you that people at Skype are constantly working on better solutions. Every company wishes to make their customers happy and remove all the obstacles that are troubling customer, but it takes time.

If you have a solution that could improve Skype products then feel free to post them in forum or send them to Skype Customer Service.

Good ideas are always welcome in Skype!

Andre