Dialing *67 before making a call allows you to block your phone number so the person receiving the call can’t see it. This is known as caller ID blocking. Here’s a more detailed look at what *67 does and when you may want to use it.
How *67 Works
When you dial *67 or 1167 on your phone before placing a call, it triggers a service called per-call blocking. This prevents your phone number from being displayed on the recipient’s caller ID display. Instead, the recipient will typically see the word “Private,” “Anonymous,” “Blocked,” or something similar.
Using *67 essentially overrides the default setting on your phone line, which allows your number to be shown when you call someone. It works for both landline and mobile phones.
Why People Use *67
There are a few common reasons why people use *67 to block their caller ID:
- Privacy – They don’t want the recipient to have their phone number.
- Avoiding unwanted calls – Blocking caller ID prevents the recipient from calling back later.
- Harassment concerns – Anonymity protects the caller’s identity.
- Professional purposes – For example, a mystery shopper may want to evaluate customer service without revealing their identity.
Using *67 allows you to anonymously call someone when you might not want them to know who is calling right away. It gives you control over when and with whom you share your phone number.
Limitations of *67
While *67 keeps your number hidden in most situations, there are some important limitations to be aware of:
- *67 does not work on 911 calls. Emergency operators will see your number and location.
- Your number may still appear on the recipient’s bill for toll calls.
- If you normally have a blocked number, using *67 will temporarily unblock it for that call.
- VoIP services and some business phone systems may not always support *67.
- Call recipients can still use features like automatic number identification or trap and trace to view blocked numbers.
So while *67 provides caller ID blocking in most cases, it is not guaranteed to keep your number completely anonymous in all situations.
Is Using *67 Legal?
In most countries, including the United States and Canada, using *67 is legal. However, some key facts to know:
- Prank calling or harassment using *67 may still be punishable by law.
- Emergency services can identify *67 callers if needed.
- Most phone providers allow temporary blocking with *67, but may prohibit permanent caller ID blocking.
- Businesses typically can’t block their numbers when calling customers for legal/regulatory reasons.
So while anyone can legally use *67 on a casual call, you are still subject to local laws regarding improper use of telecommunications services.
How to Block Caller ID by Default
If you prefer to have caller ID blocking enabled all the time, most phone carriers allow you to request permanent blocking for a monthly fee (usually $1-5). This will make all outgoing calls private without needing to dial *67 each time.
To enable permanent caller ID blocking, contact your phone provider. Keep in mind you may need to submit a written request citing privacy concerns in some cases.
Conclusion
Dialing *67 before making a call allows you to temporarily prevent your phone number from appearing on the recipient’s caller ID display. This can be useful for privacy, avoiding unwanted calls, pranking, or anonymous professional purposes. However, *67 has limitations and does not guarantee complete anonymity. As long as you use it appropriately, *67 provides a convenient way to control when and with whom you share your phone number.