When saving a file, specifically TIFs in my case, that has a "^3" in the image name, photoshop changes the name during the saving process. For example, "1253352^339.tif" turns into "1253352tif39.tif" changing the ^3 to say tif instead.
Which version of Photoshop are you using?
Which OS version?
I have an idea about why that happens, but have to track down exactly which bit of code is doing it (and the interfaces to the OS save dialogs are different for each platform).
OK, I can reproduce this, and have a good idea how it's happening (sort of like a search and replace being done more often than it should be).
Still happens in Photoshop CC 2014. Looks like the bug has been there a long time.