Why would my text messages appear as coming from a different phone number?

[AC Question]

So the other day I text a friend of mine and he replied asking who I was. Once I told him who I was he asked if I had a new number. Turns out my text messages were showing as being from a completely different phone number than mine. Different area code and all. He then dialed that phone number and it rang on my end as if he were calling my number.

 

[h00ligan99]

Darn, did not realize I was not logged in when I submitted the question.

 

[Balkin]

Same thing was happening with me. Did you ever get an answer?

 

[Rukbat]

That post was made 15 months ago - he probably doesn't come here any more.

As to why it's happening, check with your carrier - they generate the callerID (which is generally used to track 2G connections, like voice or text). And they could also have your number crossed with another one. (Or you could have a Google Voice number in a different area code, and you're somehow using that for outgoing texts [you'd know if you used the Hangouts dialer to make a phone call, and the other person saw your Google Voice number].).)