Wifi network follows me everywhere

[Android Central Question]

Hi, for many years now, I have had wifi networks named Shelby and/or Shelby1 that are always in my wifi list no matter where I am. I was sort of hoping with a new phone, the network wouldn't be there anymore, but it is. They literally follow me, which makes me think it's coming from my phone somehow. It seems harmless, as I can just turn wifi off. I can't connect to them because they are passworded. I have done exhaustive searching and no one else seems to have this problem. I just want to know what they are. They're always listed under available networks. There aren't any under "saved."
I have no idea what would be broadcasting them. This has been going on at least 5 years and throughout many new phones. No matter where I am, they're in the "available" list. At home, at work, at the store, etc. I feel pretty certain that my phone is broadcasting them somehow. The network follows me everywhere I go, so it can't really be another device. I always have mobile hotspot turned off too. Thanks for any help

 

[beantownsouth]

Hi, for many years now, I have had wifi networks named Shelby and/or Shelby1 that are always in my wifi list no matter where I am. I was sort of hoping with a new phone, the network wouldn't be there anymore, but it is. They literally follow me, which makes me think it's coming from my phone somehow. It seems harmless, as I can just turn wifi off. I can't connect to them because they are passworded. I have done exhaustive searching and no one else seems to have this problem. I just want to know what they are. They're always listed under available networks. There aren't any under "saved."
I have no idea what would be broadcasting them. This has been going on at least 5 years and throughout many new phones. No matter where I am, they're in the "available" list. At home, at work, at the store, etc. I feel pretty certain that my phone is broadcasting them somehow. The network follows me everywhere I go, so it can't really be another device. I always have mobile hotspot turned off too. Thanks for any help

Welcome to Android Central.

You wouldn't happen to own, a Shelby Mustang by any chance, would you?

 

[mustang7757]

I'll leave a Link to register so you can communicate here as a guest account you can only post questions but can't reply.
https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

 

[mustang7757]

Welcome to Android Central.

You wouldn't happen to own, a Shelby Mustang by any chance, would you?

That's what I was thinking Shelby Mustang lol

 

[p826wn]

Thanks. I wish that was the answer. I'm the one that asked the question. I'm registered now

 

[spARTacus]

...and you've had two different types of phones show these same WiFi networks around you, and the Wi-Fi networks are always there no matter where you go, and no one else has these listed on their phones around you?

 

[mustang7757]

Thanks. I wish that was the answer. I'm the one that asked the question. I'm registered now

Hi welcome to AC!
If you tap on them to forget do they reappear?

 

[spARTacus]

...did you use some sort of smart switch program to copy the same apps over to your new phone each time you switched? Have all your phones been the same Android manufacturer (eg: Samsung or LG)?

 

[p826wn]

Since this started, I've probably had 3 Samsung s9's (replacements insurance). The last of those was updated to an s10 as far I know. I now own the s21. I don't have any networks in my saved list, so I can't "forget" them, I think. The last few times I used Verizon cloud to copy everything, even though everything was NOT there. I have smartswitch, but I don't believe I've ever used it. The network shows up in my car, at the grocery store, at work, literally every place I go

 

[mustang7757]

Since this started, I've probably had 3 Samsung s9's (replacements insurance). The last of those was updated to an s10 as far I know. I now own the s21. I don't have any networks in my saved list, so I can't "forget" them, I think. The last few times I used Verizon cloud to copy everything, even though everything was NOT there. I have smartswitch, but I don't believe I've ever used it. The network shows up in my car, at the grocery store, at work, literally every place I go

Can you show a screenshot ?

https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=413366

 

[B. Diddy]

Do you have any wearable or otherwise portable devices that might connect via wi-fi, rather than Bluetooth? An example (which I realize wouldn't be your situation) would be a drone.

 

[p826wn]

Nope

 

[B. Diddy]

What town do you live in? Could it be some citywide SSID, perhaps for use by municipal services?

 

[p826wn]

I pretty much live in the suburbs

 

[mustang7757]

Since this started, I've probably had 3 Samsung s9's (replacements insurance). The last of those was updated to an s10 as far I know. I now own the s21. I don't have any networks in my saved list, so I can't "forget" them, I think. The last few times I used Verizon cloud to copy everything, even though everything was NOT there. I have smartswitch, but I don't believe I've ever used it. The network shows up in my car, at the grocery store, at work, literally every place I go

What options you get when you long press it?

 

[Laura Knotek]

Do you have one of these?

 

[methodman89]

Someone near you has a Hotspot or wifi named Shelby. You should be able to press Shelby, press the settings gear icon, then Forget.
Good luck

 

[Mooncatt]

Do you live in Shelby County, Kentucky?

https://www.shelby.kyschools.us/sit...B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=21811&PageID=19

https://scplibrary.net/wireless-hotspots-available-at-shelby-county-public-library/

If not, I'd still check around where you live/work for similar public Wi-Fi offerings. Otherwise, I would suggest you drive out to the middle of nowhere, park and check your phone. If you still see it, take everything electronic out of your pockets and carry your phone a long way away from your vehicle and check again (especially if it has a Wi-Fi option and you bought it used). I don't see how this could be coming from your phone, so it has to be something external.

 

[p826wn]

Do you have one of these?
View attachment 338733

No

 

[p826wn]

Do you live in Shelby County, Kentucky?

https://www.shelby.kyschools.us/sit...B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=21811&PageID=19

https://scplibrary.net/wireless-hotspots-available-at-shelby-county-public-library/

If not, I'd still check around where you live/work for similar public Wi-Fi offerings. Otherwise, I would suggest you drive out to the middle of nowhere, park and check your phone. If you still see it, take everything electronic out of your pockets and carry your phone a long way away from your vehicle and check again (especially if it has a Wi-Fi option and you bought it used). I don't see how this could be coming from your phone, so it has to be something external.

No, New York