No Caller ID? How to Find Out Who an Unknown Caller Is
It can be a little unsettling to see “Unknown Caller” show when your phone rings. The majority of us are never quite sure if we should answer these calls or leave them on our voicemail.
What Is Meant By “Unknown Caller”?
In contrast to “No Caller ID” or “Private Number,” “Unknown Caller” usually denotes exactly what it sounds like: the caller’s phone number is unknown.
This ignorance probably extends beyond your phone to your telecom provider, which might be a regular landline or a mobile carrier, assuming that your phone service provides Caller ID. To put it briefly, because the information about the caller is unavailable, your phone does not receive it.
Regretfully, there may be a number of causes behind this. It can just be a network issue or a malfunction in the pipeline. In the same manner that a return address label may come off an envelope in the mail, caller ID data can occasionally be lost in transit.
Most frequently, the issue is one of network interoperability across several telecommunications providers. For instance, you might not receive any caller ID information at all or incorrect caller ID information if someone calls you via a VoIP app. While many smaller VoIP providers do not require caller ID, professional, business-grade VoIP services usually must.
Outside of North America, calls from other countries can also provide challenges because not all international phone networks display caller ID the way your carrier anticipates. Instead of giving you a meaningless string of digits, some carriers will remove caller ID information that they deem to be erroneous.
No Caller ID How To Find Out Who Called?
To track down the unknown number, dial *69.
While dialing *69 on a landline is not a novel concept, it remains indispensable in modern times. You can use it to identify no caller ID or answer calls with an unknown number. After the call ends, you can press *69 to be connected to the number that called you, even if the individual hangs up or you choose not to answer.
You will be reconnected to the person even if this move won’t provide you with their actual phone number. After that, you can try to learn more about the caller and his or her intentions by asking why they phoned.
To Track An Unknown Caller ID Number, Dial *57
The *57 option can be useful for people who frequently get harassing phone calls or those from unknown numbers that keep hanging up without saying anything.
Similar to *69, when you dial *57, your phone will return the call from the number that was just received. The phone company can track the last number that phoned you and record all pertinent metadata by using the *57 service. If authorities require the documents for legal proceedings, they can access this information archive.
That being said, you must note the time and date that you choose *57. If this information is missing, though, it could cause your report to be delayed.
Speak With Your Service Provider:
Making direct contact with your service provider’s customer care line and inquiring about their call tracing services is another method for locating no-caller ID numbers. Though the services provided by each service provider vary, most of them can locate an anonymous number that *69 is unable to track down, and they can generally even explain to you exactly how they are masking their actual number.
Naturally, there is normally a charge for these services, so before moving further, make sure you are aware of the total.
Block Or Silence Unfamiliar Caller IDs
You can utilize the Filter Spam Calls toggle in the Android Settings menu or the iPhone’s Silence Unknown Callers function to block or silence unknown caller IDs. These are built-in, free features of the different operating systems.
Wider call-blocking tools are also included in the majority of iOS and Android phones. To expand the selection of tools, you may also use third-party security apps for iOS and Android.
On iPhone
There is a feature in Apple’s iOS for
iPhones that mutes call from any unknown number. After that, it transfers the call to voicemail, allowing genuine callers to leave a message. Check your Recents list to see the call’s details and time.
Here’s how to use the Silence Unknown Callers function on your iPhone to block unknown callers:
- Navigate to Phone under Settings.
- Toggle the switch to the right after selecting Silence Unknown Callers.
On Android:
Android phones come equipped with a call feature that may be used to block unsolicited calls and identify suspect numbers.
On Android, follow these steps to stop spam calls:
- Launch the phone app, then select Settings > Caller ID and spam from the three-dot menu.
- Toggle on “Filter spam calls” and “See caller and spam ID.”
Use A Program Or Service From A Third Party
While third-party apps can locate an unknown number in a number of ways, they typically use reverse phone lookups, which gather data from social media sites, public databases, and other online sources in order to provide you with information that can be used to identify an unknown number. You can check out this tool to learn more about how reverse phone lookup works.
Inform The Ftc About Fraudulent Calls (For Us Citizens)
The independent US government organization known as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is in charge of shielding customers against dishonest and misleading business activities, such as fraud and scams. Even if the scammer utilized an unknown caller ID, the FTC can still look into the matter and perhaps bring charges against them if you were the victim of a scam call.
Scams can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or, if you live outside of the US, your local equivalent. This helps the FTC create a comprehensive picture of the fraud environment, detect patterns and trends, and create strategies for preventing future scams before they happen.
Here’s how to notify the FTC about a scam:
- Visit the scam report page of the FTC.
- Select “Report Now” and provide as much information as you can into the form.
- To submit your report to the FTC, click Submit when you’re finished.
Additionally, keep in mind that you can report internet scams and other types of fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which can assist in stopping phone spoofing and other phone-related crimes and malpractices.
On An iPhone, Block Unwanted Calls (iOS 13 Or Later)
Step 1:
On your phone, select Settings.
Step 2:
Scroll to and tap the Phone option.
Step 3:
Toggle the switch to silence unknown callers.
Your phone will immediately block any calls without a Caller ID. Recall that this can also affect legitimate numbers and callers, and that calls pertaining to customer service are often targeted. If you do enable this, we advise you to review your voicemails and missed calls list.
On Android, Block Unwanted Calls
Step 1:
On your Android phone, open the phone app.
Step 2:
Tap the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner of your phone screen.
Step 3:
Press the Menu.
Step 4:
Decide which blocks to use.
Step 5:
Enable the blocking of unknown callers.
Your phone will no longer be able to ring for any calls made from a blocked Caller ID.
iProVPN: Protect Against Unknown Callers and Cyber Threats
When dealing with unknown or suspicious calls, having an additional layer of security can be highly beneficial. iProVPN is a robust VPN service that helps protect your online privacy and secure your data from prying eyes. By encrypting your internet connection, iProVPN ensures that your personal information remains confidential and safe from hackers and malicious entities. This added protection can be crucial in preventing identity theft and other cyber threats, especially when managing sensitive information or communicating with unfamiliar contacts.
Tips for Handling Unknown Callers;
1) Avoid Answering Any Questions
When dealing with unknown callers, refrain from answering any questions. Engaging can make you susceptible to voice phishing, where scammers record your voice responses, especially “yes,” to authorize fraudulent transactions. If a caller asks you to press a button to stop receiving calls, ignore the request and hang up. Such actions can disclose your location to scammers. Instead, note the suspicious number and report it to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). They can track illicit callers through these reports. Additionally, consider using robocall blocking software for extra protection against telemarketers.
2) Exercise Caution If Pressured to Provide Information
Scammers often pressure you to provide personal information or act immediately. A common tactic is posing as a legitimate contact, such as law enforcement, government agencies, or banks, asking for personal details or money. Verify the caller’s identity before sharing any information. Request a verifiable company contact number and call back to ensure legitimacy. A genuine caller will not pressure you or react angrily if you refuse to disclose personal information or end the conversation.
3) Get Your Phone Number Registered
Register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry, managed by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission). This service helps reduce unwanted sales calls from legitimate telemarketing companies. However, it won’t stop calls from scammers. If you continue to receive unwanted calls after registering, they are likely from scammers. The registry is a useful tool to limit calls from telemarketers and protect your privacy.
4) Never Disclose Personal Information
Never share personal information with unknown callers. This is a fundamental IT security practice. Disclosing Personal Identifiable Information (PII) can lead to identity theft. PII includes:
- Names (full, maiden, mother’s maiden)
- Personal identification numbers (passport, social security, driver’s license, financial account numbers)
- Addresses (physical and email)
- Technology asset information (IP and MAC addresses)
- Phone numbers
- Vehicle ID numbers
Always keep your PII confidential unless you are certain about the caller’s identity.
5) Understand the Purpose of the Call before Providing any Information
Even if you think you are talking to a legitimate customer service representative, exercise caution. Companies may call customers unprompted for valid reasons, but it’s your responsibility to verify the caller’s identity. Be wary of deals that sound too good to be true. Ask questions, gather information, conduct your own research, and verify before taking any action. If the caller pressures you for immediate answers, it is likely a scam.
Are Calls From Unknown Numbers Dangerous?
Even though the majority of calls you receive are harmless and just an annoyance, you should be wary of any unknown calls. Naturally, you ought to ignore these calls altogether. Scammers are to blame for this predicament, and since the number you are unable to see can be from abroad, your carrier might charge you a steep price for responding.
Keep in mind that any important communications from reputable companies, such as banks, credit card companies, utility companies, contractors, etc., should be sent as an email if you choose digital delivery, or as a letter in the mail. If the caller is real and the information is critical, they will also leave a message.
Concluding
Even while answering anonymous or blocked phone calls can be inconvenient, they’re often not that difficult to resolve. With any luck, this post has helped you identify the identity of an unknown caller.
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