Block Caller ID

Blocking your caller identification means preventing your name and phone number from being displayed on the receiver's screen when you make a call, which is an option many people prefer for the sake of privacy. There are ways to block your caller ID permanently, or just for specific calls, but it does depend on whether you are using a landline or a cell phone. There are also ways you can block nuisance calls from specific numbers or telemarketers. Continue below to find out how.

Steps

Using a Temporary Block

1. Dial *67 before your call. Phone providers in North America offer a *67 feature for landlines and (many) cell phones that prevents your information from being shown on the receiver’s display. This only works on a per-call basis, and you have to dial *67 before every blocked call you want to make. Using a temporary blocking code may also allow you to make calls to phones that have blocked your number.
   • To use this feature, most providers simply require you dial *67, followed by the 10-digit number (the area code plus the number) you are calling.
   • Some providers, such as Xfinity and Bell, will provide a confirmation beep or tone after you dial *67, so wait for the regular dial tone to return before dialing the 10-digit number you wish to call.
   • For those wishing to temporarily block their phone number from being seen on an iPhone on the Verizon network, use this trigger before dialing the number to block your number from being seen on the recipient's phone's caller ID box. As you'll learn later, setting up permanent block with Verizon is done through their web interface and can become a nuisance. Other branded iPhones come with Block Caller ID settings in the settings app that can work, but Verizon's iPhones work differently and don't come with these and *67 works wonders.
2. Dial #31# before the number. This feature works that same as *67, but will work for different cell phones in North America. This code also works on mobile devices in many other countries, including New Zealand, Australia, and GSM (Global System for Mobile) phones in Europe.
3. Dial the specific blocking code in your country. Many countries offer a service for landlines that’s similar to *67 that works on a per-call basis. Dial the particular code that's specific to the country you're in before dialing the rest of the phone number.
   • Dial 141 in the United Kingdom.
   • Dial 1831 in Australia.
   • Check your phone carrier’s website for the specific code to dial in other countries.

Setting Up a Permanent Block

1. Ask your phone provider to set up a line block. Most cellular and landline phone carriers offer a permanent line block that will prevent your caller ID information from being transmitted to the receiver for every call you make. There will likely be a fee for this service, but you won't have to punch in an extra code before every call.
   • Most North American cellular providers can be reached by calling 611 on a mobile device.
   • Some callers have automatic rejection systems set up that will decline calls from blocked numbers. Your phone provider will have a code that will allow you to temporarily disable your caller ID block on a per-call basis in case you need to contact these numbers.
2. Change the settings on your mobile phone. Most mobile phones provide the option to turn caller ID on and off, and this should usually allow you to get through to phones that have blocked your number as well. Phones are configured differently and can even vary between carriers, but for cell phones that offer this feature:
   • On iPhones: go to Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID. Then turn off caller ID. This will work for many carriers but not all; for example, Verizon requires that you change these settings on their website rather than on the phone itself.
   • On Samsung phones: go to Apps > Settings > My Device. Then select Call, and from there Call Settings > Additional settings > Caller ID. Then select Hide Number.
   • On HTC phones: from the Menu, select Settings > Call > Additional Settings > Caller ID. Select Hide Number.
   • On LG phones: from the Phone application, select Call Settings. Find and select Caller ID, and then select Hide Number.
   • On Blackberrys: from the Phone application, select the Blackberry button > Options > In-Call Settings. Under Restrict My Identity, select Always. Press the Blackberry button > Save.
3. Install a blocking application on your mobile. There are several apps for mobile phones that will block your caller ID if your cell phone doesn’t offer the option to turn it off. From your application store, look for apps such as CallerID Blocker.

Stopping Nuisance Calls

1. Block numbers on your mobile phone. Cellular phones come with the capability of blocking specific numbers from calling you, so if you want to prevent certain numbers from getting through to you on your mobile, you can add the numbers to the blocked list.
   • For iOS, go to Settings > Phone > Blocked > Add New, and add the contacts you want blocked. Or, you can go to your calls > Recent, and find the recent caller whose number you want to block. Select the i beside the number and select Block This Caller.
   • On an Android, go into your dial screen > Settings > Call > Caller Rejection > Auto Reject List, and from there you can add numbers to the list of blocked callers. Or, go to your dial screen > Recent, and find the recent caller whose number you want to block. Click the three dots and select Add to Reject List.
2. Get your name on the national do not call list. Many countries have a national Do Not Call list or registry that's designed to help stop unsolicited telemarketers from calling you. The United States has the Do Not Call Registry, and Canada has the Do Not Call List, and you can go to their websites to add your name to the applicable list.
3. Get added to internal do not call lists. Most telemarketing firms have their own internal do not call lists, but you have to request that your name be added individually. Next time you get a call from a telemarketer, take the opportunity to request that your name be added to their do not call list.
   • Make sure you don't word your request in such a way that it could be misinterpreted. Don't ask that your name or number be taken off the list; instead, be sure to ask that your name be added to the do not call list.
4. Download an app. There are several apps out there that can be downloaded onto many mobile phones. These apps allow you to block specific numbers, unknown numbers, and other unwanted calls.

Tips

• Temporary blocking codes do not block your caller ID from emergency services (such as when you call your local emergency services number or 911(in the United States)) or from toll-free numbers (when you call a 1-800 number). As such, these codes don't prevent the authorities from being able to trace your calls.
• For an anonymous call that can’t be traced back to your name, phone number, or personal address, consider calling from a public pay phone.

Warnings

• Using a prepaid phone card doesn’t guarantee that your caller ID will be blocked, as some card companies do pass your information along to the recipient.

Related Articles

• Use the Telephone
• Ask Telemarketers to Stop Calling
• Deal With Abusive Phone Calls
• Practice Cell Phone Etiquette
• Block a Number on Blackberry
• Block a Number on Android

Sources and Citations

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