Hide Phone Numbers When Calling (*67 Prefix Method)
To block caller ID for one supported North American call, dial *67 followed by the full destination number. The recipient may see “Private,” “Blocked,” or “Unknown,” depending on their service. This suppresses caller-ID display for that call; it does not make you anonymous or prevent your carrier from handling the call.
On a rainy evening, you might prefer not to share your number when calling a seller, service provider, or someone you do not know. The *67 prefix can help with that limited goal. Before using it, though, it is important to know what it changes, what it cannot hide, and why some calls may not connect.
I treat *67 as a call-by-call setting, not a privacy shield. It asks a supported phone network to withhold your caller ID from the recipient. The network still needs to handle the call, and the recipient’s carrier or phone may apply its own rules.
Confirm Carrier and Destination Support
*67 is a carrier-provided code for blocking caller-ID presentation on a single call in supported North American services. Its availability can depend on your carrier, phone service, call type, and destination. Check your carrier’s current instructions if you are unsure; do not assume the code works everywhere.
The basic rule is simple: the code affects the call you place with it, not your account’s default caller-ID setting. If your carrier supports the feature for your call, the person you reach may see a private or blocked label instead of your number.
Support can vary. A mobile carrier, landline provider, or calling plan may handle the code differently. Calls made through an internet calling app may follow the app’s rules rather than your phone carrier’s rules. International calls also may not use the North American code in the same way.
Before dialing, consider these checks:
- Look up “caller ID blocking” or “per-call blocking” in your carrier’s support information.
- Check whether the instructions apply to your type of service and the number you plan to call.
- If you use a calling app, check its caller-ID settings and help page.
- If the call fails, try the carrier’s official support route rather than repeatedly changing the number format.
The useful test is whether your carrier supports the feature for that specific call. A code that works from one line or to one destination may not work from another.
Check Number Format and Service Limitations
The number format is the complete destination number your carrier requires, including its area code or country code when needed. In supported North American service, enter *67 immediately before that number. The code does not remove the need to dial the number correctly.
For example, if the destination is 212-555-0100, dial:
*67 212-555-0100
The space is shown for readability. You can enter the code and number together in the dialer. Include any required area code, even for a local call if your phone service requires one. For a destination outside North America, check your carrier’s instructions rather than assuming *67 applies.
There are key limits to keep in mind:
- It is not anonymity. Your originating carrier still handles the call and may have the number as part of its network records.
- It may not hide your number from every system. Authorized network or emergency systems may receive caller or location information under applicable rules.
- Some recipients may reject blocked calls. A person or organization can use phone settings or a call service that screens or refuses calls with hidden caller ID.
- Toll-free calls may be handled differently. Do not count on *67 to hide your number from toll-free services.
- Do not use it for 911. *67 is not a way to hide your identity or location from emergency services. Emergency routing and carrier rules can allow or require callback and location details.
These limits are not faults in your dialing technique. They reflect how carriers and destination services handle calls. If your goal is to keep a business contact number private, an approved business line or a separate calling number may be more suitable than relying on a blocked-ID call.
Dial the Per-Call Blocking Prefix
Per-call blocking means the caller-ID request applies to one outgoing call made with the prefix. The usual sequence is to confirm support, enter *67 and the complete destination number, place the call, then check what the recipient’s service displays.
Follow this sequence:
- Confirm support. Check your carrier’s instructions for your service and destination. This is especially useful if you are calling from an app or placing an international call.
- Open the normal dialer. Use the phone app or service that places calls through the carrier you checked.
- Enter the prefix first. Type *67, then the full destination number. For example:
*67 212-555-0100. - Place the call. If it does not connect, note any message or tone. The carrier or recipient’s service may not accept the call.
- Check the result. If appropriate, ask the recipient what appeared on their phone. A blocked display shows caller-ID suppression, not that the number cannot be identified elsewhere.
Do not confuse this method with changing your account’s default caller-ID setting. A per-call code is intended to apply to that call only. If you want to block your number on all outgoing calls, contact your carrier or review its account settings. Options and labels vary by provider.
A practical detail: if you save a number with *67 in front of it, check the entry before each use. That saved format may cause the prefix to be applied whenever you call that contact. Keep the prefix off the contact’s usual number if you want other calls to show your caller ID.
Verify the Recipient’s Caller-ID Display
Caller-ID display is the name or number shown by a recipient’s phone or calling service. After a call made with *67, the display may read “Private,” “Blocked,” or “Unknown.” The exact wording depends on the recipient’s device and service, so no single label confirms how every call will appear.
For a useful check, ask a recipient you trust what their screen showed. If you cannot do that, remember that a connected call does not prove the number was hidden. It only proves the call connected. The person may also have a call log or service that treats blocked calls in a different way.
Use this quick diagnostic guide:
| What happens | Possible explanation | Practical next step |
|---|---|---|
| The call connects and shows “Private” or “Blocked” | Caller-ID presentation was likely suppressed for that call | Treat this as display blocking, not anonymity |
| The recipient still sees your number | The carrier, call type, or destination may not support blocking | Check the carrier’s instructions for that line |
| The call does not connect | The recipient or network may reject blocked-ID calls | Call without the prefix only if you are comfortable sharing your number |
| A toll-free service receives the call | Its handling may differ from an ordinary call | Do not rely on *67 to withhold your number |
| You are calling an emergency number | Blocking is not a suitable privacy method | Call emergency services normally |
If your result differs from what you expected, avoid assuming the recipient has identified you or that your number is hidden everywhere. Check your provider’s guidance and, when suitable, test with someone who can tell you what appeared.
Common Call Scenarios and Better Choices
A common scenario is a one-time call to a person you do not know. If your carrier supports *67 for that call, it may suppress the number shown on the recipient’s screen. But if the person rejects blocked calls, you may need to choose whether to call without the prefix.
Another situation is a business owner returning a customer call. In that case, hiding a personal number for every customer call may be less useful than using a separate business line or a carrier-approved caller-ID setting. Those options can give customers a consistent way to identify and call back, while keeping a personal line separate.
Here are practical examples. They are scenarios, not claims about every carrier or recipient:
- Calling a private individual once: Use *67 if your carrier supports it and you are prepared for the call to be screened or declined.
- Calling a toll-free number: Do not assume the number will be withheld from the service.
- Making an emergency call: Do not add *67. Call normally so emergency systems can apply their usual handling.
- Calling internationally: Check your carrier’s rules; the North American code may not apply.
- Making routine work calls: Consider a separate business number or account setting instead of adding *67 to each call.
The choice depends on what you need: a one-call change, a lasting caller-ID preference, or a separate number for certain contacts. Those are different tools, and the right one depends on the call and your provider.
Conclusion and FAQ
*67 is a per-call caller-ID blocking code for supported North American calls. Dial the prefix before the full destination number, then check what the recipient sees. The code does not guarantee anonymity, does not work in every setting, and should never be used to try to hide caller information from emergency services.
If you need privacy for one ordinary call, first confirm that your carrier and destination support the code. If you need a lasting or business-specific solution, ask your provider about account settings or a separate line.
Does *67 hide my number for every call?
No. It is intended to block caller-ID presentation for the call you place with the prefix, where supported. It does not usually change your account’s default setting.
How do I dial *67?
Dial *67 immediately before the full destination number. For example, enter *67 212-555-0100 for that example number.
What will the other person see?
They may see “Private,” “Blocked,” or “Unknown.” The label depends on the recipient’s phone and service.
Can my phone carrier still identify my number?
Yes. The code does not hide your number from the carrier that handles the call or guarantee that authorized network systems cannot identify it.
Does *67 work on mobile phones?
It may work on supported mobile service, but availability depends on the carrier, call type, and destination. Check your provider’s instructions.
Does *67 work on landlines?
It may work on supported landline service. Confirm with the landline provider, since service features can vary.
Can I use *67 for a toll-free call?
Do not rely on it to hide your number from a toll-free service. Such calls may be handled differently from ordinary calls.
Should I dial *67 before calling 911?
No. Do not use *67 for emergency calls. It is not a way to hide your identity or location from emergency services.
Why was my call rejected after I used *67?
The recipient or their phone service may reject calls with blocked caller ID. Your carrier or the destination may also handle the code differently.
Does *67 work for international calls?
Not necessarily. The code is a North American per-call feature where supported. Check your carrier’s instructions for international destinations.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Richard Montclair. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
