How to Make an Anonymous Phone Call: Your Guide to Privacy

6 min read 1157 words

Table of Contents

The legal implications of making an anonymous phone call vary greatly depending on the content and intent of the call. While simply making an anonymous call isn’t inherently illegal, using it to harass, threaten, defraud, or stalk someone is against the law and can result in serious consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and civil lawsuits.

The legality hinges on the *purpose* of the anonymity. A call made to report a crime anonymously to law enforcement is generally permissible and even encouraged. However, using caller ID blocking or other masking techniques to conceal your identity while making threats, engaging in fraudulent schemes, or violating restraining orders is a serious offense. Laws such as those addressing harassment, stalking, and fraud specifically prohibit using communication devices, including telephones, to engage in such behavior, regardless of whether the caller’s identity is hidden. Furthermore, repeatedly making anonymous calls that disturb or annoy another person could be considered harassment, even without explicit threats. In cases involving criminal investigations, law enforcement agencies possess the power to obtain court orders that compel telecommunication companies to reveal the identity of callers who have blocked their numbers or used other methods of anonymity. This is a routine investigative technique used to identify and apprehend individuals who misuse communication technology to commit crimes. The seriousness of the underlying crime dictates the resources and effort law enforcement will dedicate to unmasking the anonymous caller. The penalties for making illegal anonymous calls will also vary by jurisdiction and the severity of the underlying offense.

How do I dial *67 on a smartphone to block my number?

To block your number and make an anonymous phone call on most smartphones, simply dial *67 before entering the phone number you wish to call. For example, if you want to call 555-123-4567 anonymously, you would dial *675551234567. The recipient’s caller ID will then display “Private Number,” “Blocked Number,” or something similar, indicating that your number is being withheld.

Using *67 is a quick and easy way to prevent your number from being displayed on a per-call basis. This is useful for situations where you only want to hide your number temporarily and don’t want to change your phone’s default settings. Keep in mind that *67 typically works for outgoing calls only; it doesn’t affect how your number appears when you send text messages.

While *67 is generally reliable, there are some exceptions. In some cases, your number might still be visible to the recipient. For example, if you are calling emergency services (like 911), your number will likely be displayed regardless of whether you use *67. Similarly, some businesses or individuals may subscribe to services that can override caller ID blocking. Therefore, while *67 provides a good level of anonymity, it is not foolproof in all situations.

Are there apps that hide my caller ID when making calls?

Yes, several apps can hide your caller ID when making calls, although their availability and functionality can vary depending on your device’s operating system (iOS or Android) and your location. Some apps achieve this by routing your call through a different number or using VoIP technology, effectively masking your actual phone number.

It’s important to understand how these apps work and the implications of using them. Many “caller ID spoofing” apps are available, but some may not be reliable or secure. Some may also require a subscription or payment for each call where you want to hide your caller ID. Furthermore, be aware that using such apps to intentionally deceive or defraud someone can have legal consequences. You should always use these tools responsibly and ethically.

Beyond dedicated apps, some mobile carriers offer built-in features to block your caller ID on a per-call basis. You can typically achieve this by dialing *67 before the phone number you intend to call. This feature is usually free and doesn’t require downloading any additional software. However, this setting must be applied before each call where you want to hide your number. Keep in mind that even with caller ID blocking enabled, your number might still be visible to emergency services (like 911) and certain businesses or government agencies.

What’s the difference between caller ID blocking and using a burner phone?

Caller ID blocking hides your phone number from appearing on the recipient’s caller ID display for a single call, whereas a burner phone is a prepaid, disposable phone purchased specifically to remain untraceable and unconnected to your personal identity, offering a higher degree of anonymity.

Caller ID blocking is a temporary and relatively superficial method of concealing your number. It’s convenient for making a single call anonymously, achieved by dialing *67 (in the US and Canada) before the phone number. The recipient will typically see “Private Number,” “Blocked,” or “Unknown” on their caller ID. However, this method doesn’t prevent your number from being traced if the recipient has call tracing services enabled or if law enforcement becomes involved. Your actual phone number is still associated with the call in the phone network’s records. A burner phone, on the other hand, provides a more robust level of anonymity. These phones are typically purchased with cash, using a fake name, and are not registered to any personal information. Because the phone and its associated number are not linked to your identity, it is much harder to trace calls back to you. While even a burner phone isn’t entirely untraceable with sophisticated surveillance techniques, it significantly increases the difficulty and resources required to identify you compared to simply blocking your caller ID. Burner phones are designed to be disposable; once you’re done with them, you can discard the phone and SIM card, further severing any potential connection to you.

Does *67 work for toll-free numbers or international calls?

No, *67 generally does not work for toll-free numbers or international calls. While *67 is designed to block your number from appearing on the recipient’s caller ID, toll-free numbers (like 800, 888, etc.) often have systems in place that override caller ID blocking. Similarly, international calls may not honor the *67 request due to varying telecommunication standards and regulations in different countries.

When you dial *67, your phone service sends a signal to suppress your Caller ID. However, businesses and other entities that use toll-free numbers often subscribe to services that require the incoming number for record-keeping, call-back purposes, or security measures. In these cases, they can override the *67 block. Essentially, the technology on their end is designed to capture the originating phone number regardless of your attempts to hide it. Regarding international calls, the *67 service is a North American feature. Even if it were technically possible to transmit the blocking signal internationally, it’s unlikely to be recognized or respected by foreign telecommunication networks. Therefore, relying on *67 to make anonymous international calls is unreliable and unlikely to work. Different countries have different privacy laws and technical standards for caller ID display.