How to Block Caller ID




block caller ID




Sometimes we need a little more privacy than convenient modern technologies provide us. Here are a variety of methods you can use to call somebody without revealing your own phone number.




Steps



Use an ID-Blocking Code

1) Dial a caller ID block code before the phone number.

In the USA and Canada, dial *67 preceding the number.
For example, if you need to call 212-555-5555 from a cell phone, Dial *67-212-555-5555 instead (from a land-line dial *67-1-212-555-5555). Your caller will see a message that says "Blocked Number."


In the UK and Ireland, dial 141.



On a GSM phone in any country, use #31# and then the number. So for example dial #31#212-555-5555.






Argentina: *31# (landlines) or *31*, #31# (most mobile phone companies)

Australia: 1831 (landlines) or #31# (mobile phones)

Denmark, Iceland and Switzerland: *31*

Germany: On most landlines and mobiles, *31#, however some mobile providers use #31#.

Hong Kong: 133

Israel: *43

Italy: *67# (landlines) or #31# (most cell phone companies)

New Zealand: 0197 (Telecom and Vodafone)

South Africa: *31* (Telkom)

Sweden: #31#




Make Arrangements With Your Service Provider

1) Block all your outgoing calls by default by requesting this service from your phone company.
Keep in mind that your service provider may charge you for this service.

Some people have enabled "anonymous caller rejection" and you will not be able to call them from a blocked number.







Use a Third Party Service

1) Use any service that routes your call from a third party and will thus not display your number. Examples include:
Calling with a pre-paid phone card.

Using a voice over IP (such as Skype) from your computer.








Use the Voicemail Call Method

1) Some cell phones allow you to call a person through voicemail. Simply listen for a call option, then dial the number.
Because your call is being filtered through a voicemail system, you are essentially calling through their line. This will automatically block your phone number.

This method is cheaper than the previous listed, as it only uses minutes from your plan, which would normally be spent.








Use a Public Phone

1) Make your call from a public phone. A pay phone will not reveal your personal phone ID.









Warnings

  • Police can find out that it is you calling, whether you have your caller ID blocked or not. Depending on where in a government system you are calling, your number will automatically pop up. If the person you are directly talking can't see your number, they can contact someone who can trace it back to you. Businesses receiving your call via toll free numbers can also see your caller ID.
  • Some prepaid phone cards still allow transmission of your phone number to the phone number you are calling. You might want to test your specific prepaid phone card.