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

A "Private Number" means the caller has intentionally hidden their phone number so it doesn’t appear on your caller ID. Instead of the actual number, you’ll see "Private Number" or "Unknown Caller" on your screen.

Private numbers are used by individuals who want to maintain their privacy or organizations, such as hospitals, government agencies, and certain businesses, that may have policies against publicly displaying their numbers.

However, private numbers are also sometimes used by telemarketers or scammers to bypass call-blocking filters and reach more people.

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 use private numbers to avoid being traced. They may hide their caller ID to prevent you from knowing it’s a scam. 
    
4. Friends or Family Members Using Privacy Settings: Sometimes, friends or family 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 you receive a call repeatedly from a private number and find it suspicious, you can block them. Most smartphones offer a "block" feature for unknown or private numbers, which can prevent these calls from reaching you in the future.

Many apps help you screen or block calls from private numbers. Apps like Truecaller, Hiya, and CallApp can identify suspected spam or telemarketing calls and sometimes even reveal hidden caller IDs.

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.

If you frequently receive calls from a private number and want to know who it is, you can try dialing *69, use caller ID applications, call unmasking services, or confront them.

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.

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.
 

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 restrict unknown or private numbers. On iPhones, you can go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers to send these calls directly to voicemail. For Android, you can usually find blocking features in the Phone app > Contacts > Recent > Block Number.

In many countries, you can register your number on a Do Not Call List to reduce telemarketing calls. For instance, in the US, you can register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry to prevent businesses from calling.

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.

Dealing with calls from private numbers can be challenging, but with the proper knowledge, you can handle them confidently. To block unwanted calls, you can use call-blocking tools or apps. Plus, simple actions like dialing *69, registering in the Do Not Call Registry, or using a virtual number for online sign-ups help minimize interruptions and safeguard your information.

Well, sign up with Calilio today for a virtual phone number and use its call-blocking feature to automatically restrict spam and unwanted calls, reduce interruptions, and increase productivity.

You can use call-blocking features on your phone, install apps like Truecaller or Hiya, or ask your carrier about options like Anonymous Call Rejection.

No, private number calls aren’t illegal unless used for harassment or scams, which can be reported.

Don’t share personal information. Hang up, block the number, and consider reporting the call if it’s suspicious.