How to Block Your Telephone Number from Showing Up on Caller ID

You can keep your name and phone number from appearing on caller ID devices.

Caller ID rules set in place by the Federal Communications Commission aim to protect consumer privacy. FCC rules give consumers the choice of blocking their phone numbers from appearing on caller ID devices when making interstate calls. (State regulatory agencies govern interstate calls.) The federal agency requires phone companies to have uniform, easy-to-follow blocking procedures in place.

Things You'll Need

• Phone

Instructions

1. Use per-call blocking. To make an anonymous call so that your phone number does not show up on the other person's caller ID, dial "*67" before making a phone number. You should hear a brief pulse on the phone. Then you can continue to enter the number you would like to call.

2. Use per-line blocking. If your state allows this option, you can direct your phone company to block your name and phone number from appearing on caller ID. This will apply to a specific telephone line for all calls. You do, however, have the option to temporarily turn off per-line blocking. Simply dial "*82" prior to dialing a number if you want your name and number to be transmitted to the person. Repeat this procedure every time you want to transmit your information to the person you're calling.

3. Recognize that if you call some toll-free numbers, your information may be transmitted even if you attempt to use per-call or per-line blocking.

References

• Federal Communications Commission: Caller ID and Spoofing