Block Caller ID
If you don’t want people to see your name or number, you can try blocking caller ID. There are a few ways you can do this, and you have the option of making the blockade permanent or only when you need it.
Blocking on a Per Call Basis
If you only want to disable caller ID on certain occasions, try this method. Pick the phone receiver up and dial *67 for a touchstone or 1167 if it’s a rotary phone.
Dial this number before dialing the number you want to call. This will prevent any information about the call from appearing on the caller ID.
Per Line Blocking on Land Lines
If you want blocking caller ID to be permanent, call the phone company. Ask for the caller ID to be blocked for all outgoing calls. Some phone companies will charge you for this service, while others won’t. Check first so you know how much it may cost you.
If you want to disable this feature for a particular call, dial *82 before the number you want to call on a touchstone. For a rotary phone, dial 1182 followed by the phone number.
Hiding Your Number on Mobile Pones
A lot of mobile phones have per line blocking features. In most models, you can go about blocking caller ID by dialing *67 and the number you wish to call. You can also disable this feature using the *82 number as well.
As with the land lines, these methods work on a per call basis. You need to dial *67 for every call. The same rule applies for *82 if caller ID is entirely closed off.
On some cell phones, different methods have to be used. In some cases you have to go to the settings or options menu to enable / disable caller ID. A lot of cell phones also have ways to permanently do away with caller IDs. The methods vary per gadget, so check the manual for more information.
Use VoIP for Blocking Caller ID
Internet voice-over-IP (VoIP) phone services don’t display any information when you call on a phone with a caller ID. Instead of the phone number, random letters are shown.
Using Pay Phones and Other Info
In the United Kingdom, you have to dial 141 before the number you need to call instead of *67. In both the US and the UK, you can dial 0 to get the operator. By asking them to place the call, information about the call won’t appear in the caller ID.
Other simple ways of going around the caller ID is to call via a pay phone or use a prepaid phone card. However, some prepaid phone cards don’t shield you against caller IDs, so you have to check them out first. Bear in mind that when you make a toll free call, your number will be identifiable.
As the information above shows, there are several ways of blocking caller ID. With numerous choices, you no longer have to worry about your private number being recognized.