How to Hide Your Cell Phone's Identity
Admit it: There's been a time where, knowing who's on the other end, you chose to just let your phone ring instead of answering the thing. With just about everyone having a cell phone today, this non-answering thing has become all the more common, both because people are seemingly calling others more often and because nearly everyone has a device with caller ID built right in.
There are, though, a few ways to block your number from showing up when you call, which have been nicely compiled by advice site AskStudent.
The first is temporary and simply requires that you dial *67 before making a call. Punch in those digits before any others and, assuming whomever you're calling isn't an emergency service of some sort, your number won't show.
If you're looking for a more permanent solution, then give your provider a call and ask how much a line block would cost to add to your line. Typically it'll be something like $5 per month or so. This will prevent your number from showing up any time you call -- except for emergency services, who hopefully won't be screening your calls anyway.
Other phones have Caller ID block settings that can easily be switched on or off by going into the "Settings" menus.
Keep this in mind, however: If you're trying to avoid being screened and you're the only person in your family or group of friends who always calls with an unlisted number, chances are it won't be long before those on the other line become hip to your deception and start screening you again.
From AskStudent
Related Links:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
viv @ Feb 7th 2008 2:12PM
duh.....i've known about the *67 code for years!!
BigWheels @ Feb 7th 2008 2:19PM
...OLD news always comes back as NEW news on AOL
BigWheels
Jess @ Feb 7th 2008 2:19PM
This isn't new.
anne @ Feb 7th 2008 2:23PM
Wow. This must be a slow news day.
Billie Kathryn @ Feb 7th 2008 2:33PM
Can anyone tell me why this would NOT work on my cell phone? Tried it on several occasions, and my cell number STILL appeared on the phone being called-------
and YES........I dialed *67 first----------D U H ! ! !
My cell phone isn't even a year old, and is a reliable Samsung slider unit through T-Mobile. Anyone have a suggestion? Thanks.
kay @ Feb 7th 2008 2:56PM
Duh, where you been?????
JIM @ Feb 7th 2008 2:58PM
Only Aol has Stupid News, this isn't News at all to tell ya the truth, everyone reading this knew about *67 code, and if you didn't your really an idiot. It doesn't matter who blocks their calls when they call me ( I don't answer blocked calls) like 90% of other people... That's the whole point of have Caller I.D. right ??? Duhhhhh
Bret @ Feb 7th 2008 3:14PM
Wow. What a revelation. Switched should have its own TV show: 'The Biggest Retard' starring Tim Stevens.
Do you know what's cool? Free telephone information (411) from Google. 1-800-466-4411 (1-800-GOOG-411) for business info. Write about THAT Tim Stevens.
Carla @ Feb 7th 2008 3:37PM
to Billie Kathryn: I get the same deal. I *67 and my number shows up. What does not show up is the name. Big deal!!!! for *67
Joshua Fruhlinger @ Feb 7th 2008 3:41PM
Bret: A surprising amount of people don't know the *67 thing works on cell phones. Also, a lot of people don't know they can just call their phone company to have it blocked permanently.
labella167 @ Feb 7th 2008 3:42PM
wow its not even funny how slow these people are
gurdy @ Feb 7th 2008 3:45PM
tell us something we don't know
Rachel @ Feb 7th 2008 3:47PM
Bret, you are too funny man..thanks for that free infor number...I didn't have it. love your posts, especially the one below and if I were AOL I'd hire you for info on cell phones, seems to me you know a hell of alot more than those idiots....
Bret says:
Wow. What a revelation. Switched should have its own TV show: 'The Biggest Retard' starring Tim Stevens.
Do you know what's cool? Free telephone information (411) from Google. 1-800-466-4411 (1-800-GOOG-411) for business info. Write about THAT Tim Stevens.
RON @ Feb 7th 2008 4:00PM
NUMBER 67 DOES NOT BLOCK SOME CALLS.
EXAMPLE: DOES NOT WORK ON 1-800; 1-900; AND 911 NUMBERS ACCORDING TO THE PHONE COMPANY.
Pepper @ Feb 7th 2008 4:08PM
What's even more fun is to use the SPOOF CALLING CARD and make any number you want appear on someones caller ID. Funny the people that won't take your calls, will pick up when they think it's work or someone else~
GB @ Feb 7th 2008 4:14PM
Does this also work to make text msgs anonymous?
pretty @ Feb 7th 2008 4:17PM
only aol!!!!
val @ Feb 7th 2008 4:17PM
If you hide your telephone number from caller ID, most people will not pick up the call because they will assume you are a telemarketer! If someone doesn't want to let me know who they are, I really don't want to talk with them.
LVDarin @ Feb 7th 2008 4:33PM
Thats so old I feel off my dinosar and broke my wooden underwear
Mini Me @ Feb 7th 2008 4:45PM
I have my info blocked on caller id for all calls (exluding 800's and emergancy calls etc.) through my phone company and there is not a charge, the only charge I pay is 2.50 per month for a non-listed, non-published # (that is to keep my info out of directory assist / 411/internet search/and phone books etc.)Calls that I make, the caller does not get my name or #. When I call my family or friends.people who would want to talk to me, I dial their # then let the phone ring 1 time then hang up and imdediatley dial again - that way when it says blocked # on their caller id, they still know it is me.