Private Number Calling Me - A Guide to Prevent and Handle Unknown Numbers

A private number simply means the caller has chosen to hide their phone number so it won’t appear on your screen. Instead of the real contact information, you’ll usually see labels like “Private Number” or “No Caller ID”.

People often use private or hidden numbers to maintain their privacy. Sometimes, it’s organizations like hospitals or government offices that follow strict policies against showing their numbers. For instance, a doctor might call you through a hidden ID number to keep his personal number safe.

But the problem is, these calls aren’t always harmless. In fact, telemarketers and scammers also use private numbers to bypass call-blocking filters and reach you more easily.

There are several reasons for a private phone number to call you; it could be a cold call, your friends or family, or even scammers. Here are some of the common ones:

1. Telemarketing and Sales Calls: Some telemarketers and sales agencies use private phone numbers to hide their identity, hoping you’ll answer without knowing it is a sales/marketing call.
2. Businesses and Organizations: Some businesses, government agencies, or medical offices conceal their numbers for privacy reasons. For example, healthcare providers or emergency services may call from private numbers to protect sensitive information.
3. Scams and Spam Calls: Scammers often use private numbers to avoid being traced. So, they make anonymous calls to prevent you from knowing who is calling.
4. Friends or Family Members Using Privacy Settings: Sometimes, friends or family members might hide their numbers by turning on privacy settings on their phones. This could be done by accident or simply to protect their identity.
5. Automated Calls and Robocalls: Many automated systems, like survey companies or reminder services, may call from a private number, especially if they don’t need you to call back.

When you get calls from private numbers, be cautious about sharing personal information and report suspicious calls to your phone service provider.

If you’re unsure about a private number call, you may ignore it and let it go to voicemail. Genuine callers leave a message, allowing you to decide if it’s worth calling back.

If a private number keeps calling you, enable call blocking. It stops calls from hidden IDs and unknown numbers and allows only calls from the saved contacts.

You can use call screening apps to manage private number calls more effectively. Services like Truecaller and CallControl not only block unwanted calls but also flag suspected spam or telemarketers.

Some mobile carriers offer services to help identify or block private numbers. Contact your carrier to see if they offer options like “Anonymous Call Rejection” or “Caller ID Unmasking” to reveal private callers or filter out spam.

To know who called from a private number, pick up the call and ask them directly, dial *69 for last call return, or use third-party apps to unmask the hidden ID.

The simplest way is to pick up the call and politely ask the caller to identify themselves. If it’s a friend, family member, or business, they may tell you who they are. However, this approach may not work with telemarketers or scammers.

Dialing *69, also known as Last Call Return, is a service provided by many phone carriers that allows you to call back the last number that called you. For instance, if you missed a private call at 5:00 PM, dial *69 immediately to connect.

Here’s how:

• Step 1: Open your phone’s dial pad.
• Step 2: Type *69.
• Step 3: Press the call button.

As stated earlier, apps like Truecaller, Hiya, and CallApp can help identify unknown or private numbers. These apps work by cross-referencing your calls with their large databases of known numbers, including reported telemarketers, spam callers, and even personal numbers.

Similarly, services like TrapCall are designed to reveal hidden numbers. When you receive a private call, you can use TrapCall to unmask the number by redirecting the call through their service.

First, do not share your number on the internet or social media. Then, use your cell phone’s built-in features and register your number on the Do Not Call Registry. Plus, be aware of online surveys and forms.

Avoid sharing your phone number on websites, public forums, or online directories. When you put your number online, it becomes accessible to anyone, including telemarketers and scammers who may use it to make anonymous calls.

Refrain from displaying your phone number on social media profiles, as unwanted callers can collect this information. Despite your private profile, scammers can sometimes access information through friends or other means.

Most smartphones have built-in call-blocking options that stop unknown or private numbers.

On iPhones, you can go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers to send these calls directly to voicemail.

For Android, go to your “Phone” application > tap on the three vertical dots on the top of your screen > Settings > Block Numbers > Turn on the “Block Calls from Unknown Numbers” option.

In many countries, you can register your number on a Do Not Call List to reduce telemarketing calls legally. For instance, the US has a Do Not Call list, the UK has the Telephone Preference Service, and Belgium has the DNCM – Do Not Call Me.

Avoid entering your phone number on online forms or surveys, as many of these sites sell contact information to telemarketers. Use an alternative contact method or check the privacy policy to understand how your data will be used.

Sign up for websites, apps, or online services using a virtual or secondary number. This way, you can keep your primary number private and avoid spam and unwanted calls. You can also use virtual phone numbers to forward calls or messages to your main line if needed.

Answering calls from private numbers can be risky, as you don’t know who’s calling or their intent. Some private number calls come from genuine sources like businesses, medical offices, or government agencies, while others may be telemarketers or, worse, scammers trying to trick you into giving personal information.

If you choose to answer, be cautious. Do not share personal or financial information until you know the caller’s identity and intention. If the call seems suspicious or the caller pressures you, it’s best to hang up and block the number for future safety.

Answering private or hidden ID calls without the right knowledge can put you at risk of No Caller ID scams, spam, and unnecessary interruptions. That’s why it’s important to know how to handle them wisely. You can start with simple steps like dialing *69 to redial the private numbers or using call-blocking apps to block or unmask them.