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Is there a potentially shady, unknown number that keeps calling you? Besides pesky marketers, criminals also use unknown numbers to carry out scams and try to access personal data. Learn how to unmask mystery callers by revealing and tracing an unknown number. And install a reliable cybersecurity tool to help prevent scams and keep your personal data private.
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You can uncover an unknown caller ID by using the *69 or *57 feature codes, third-party apps, or by contacting your phone service provider. Unknown callers could be hiding their identity to try and scam you, so it’s important to check them before you fall victim.
If you receive a call or message from a number with no caller ID, the best course of action is not to answer—at least not until you know who you’re dealing with. If you do decide to pick up, proceed with caution and keep your personal information to yourself to help prevent identity theft.
Here are some ways to find out an unknown caller’s phone number:
You can trace a no caller ID by dialing *57, which automatically tracks the last call you received and alerts your phone service provider (and local law enforcement if necessary) to potential criminal activity along with a recording of the call.
Here’s how to track a no caller ID number with the *57 code:
After receiving a call with no caller ID, dial *57 into the keypad of your phone and press the call button (if the service doesn't activate automatically). Then follow the instructions provided.
*57-code call tracing is usually not free, although the price varies depending on your service provider. If you receive a threatening, harassing, or suspicious call from an unknown number, *57 is probably the best course of action, especially if you believe that scammers or fraudsters are targeting you.
Dialing *69 in North America activates the last-call return service, providing the previous caller’s number and, if they’re listed in a public database, their name and address.
Here’s how to find a no caller ID number with the *69 code:
Dial *69 into your phone’s keypad and press the call button (if the service doesn’t auto-activate). Listen for the automated recording of the last number that called you (and any other available caller ID information).
Depending on your phone service provider, *69 may offer a dial-back option to return calls and identify who called you. However, using this feature can expose you to potential scams, unwanted telemarketing, or malicious individuals who hide their identity, as dialing back confirms your number is active.
The *69 service is available through most phone service providers on both iPhones and Androids. It is usually free, although some providers may charge for last-call return services.
Both iPhones and Android phones allow you to automatically request caller ID information from incoming calls. This in-built service can help you identify business calls and spam numbers that may not be in your saved contacts list.
If the incoming caller's phone and carrier support this feature, their actual phone number will be revealed, helping you identify who's on the other end. The steps may vary slightly on different Android models, but both iPhones and Androids can request unblocked caller IDs from private numbers.
Here’s how to enable caller ID number requests:
To enable caller ID number requests on iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > toggle on Show My Caller ID.
To enable caller ID number requests on Android, open the Phone App > tap More (or the three dots icon) in the top-right corner of the screen. Then choose Settings > Calls > Additional Settings > Caller ID > Show number.
Another way to find no-caller ID numbers is to contact your service provider’s customer support line directly and ask them about their call-tracing services. Each service provider offers different services, but they might know how to find an anonymous number that *69 can’t trace, and they can usually even tell you exactly how the caller is hiding their real number.
Of course, these services usually come with a fee, so make sure you know what the costs are before you proceed.
Third-party no caller ID tracing apps can find an unknown number using a variety of methods, but usually they perform a reverse phone lookup. This entails scraping information from public databases, social media platforms, and other online sources to give you details that can help identify an unknown number.
Before using a third-party app to trace "No Caller ID" numbers, conduct your own research to avoid potentially harmful apps that may compromise your security and privacy.
Let’s take a look at some trusted no caller ID third-party apps and services:
TrapCall is an Android and iOS app that intercepts calls from unknown numbers and redirects them to their servers. TrapCall uses software analysis to reveal the caller’s identity. Besides unmasking unknown callers, TrapCall has other features that let you block spammers, blacklist unwanted numbers, and transcribe voicemails into text.
Spokeo is a people search website that collects data from online and offline sources. Along with helping people reconnect with old friends or research potential business partners and employees, it has a reverse lookup feature that lets you look up unknown numbers and find the caller’s name, address, social media profiles, and more. This helps verify the identity of someone you’ve spoken to, but it won’t reveal a number hidden by caller ID blocking.
TrueCaller is an app that uses a crowdsourced directory of phone numbers and caller information to help you identify the name and address of an unknown caller. It works by matching incoming calls with a directory of known numbers compiled from both user submissions and public records. You can also use it to automatically block incoming calls from numbers known to be used by scammers or spammers.
BeenVerified is an online background-check service that lets you verify people and businesses. Its extensive sources are compiled from public and private databases. If you have an unknown caller’s phone number, run it through BeenVerified to possibly reveal their name, address, social media profiles, and other information.
The Intelius website provides a robust reverse phone lookup tool that allows users to search for information about unknown callers. By entering a phone number, you can find details like the caller's name, address, and other associated information, although the site won't disclose numbers that are hidden through caller ID blocking.
Hiya is a powerful call management app that identifies unwanted callers and blocks unwanted numbers. It offers auto-blocking for spam and scam calls, as well as reverse phone lookup capabilities. Its premium versions also offer enhanced spam protection and access to a database of up to 1.5 million caller identities.
Whoscall is a mobile app that provides caller identification services, helping users to check private numbers and block spam. Key features include real-time caller ID, nuisance call blocking, manual number lookup, and a community reporting system. It also offers offline capabilities for identifying no caller ID calls.
You can sometimes uncover an unknown caller using a search engine like Google or Bing by searching for the phone number in quotes (e.g., "123-456-7890"). This can narrow the search to contain that number and help to reveal public listings or business profiles associated with the number.
Additionally, you can search for the number on social media platforms, such as Twitter, LinkedIn, or public Facebook pages—some users add a phone number to their profiles, which may help you uncover the caller's identity.
You can block calls from private numbers by using your phone's in-built settings, requesting call blocking from your phone service provider, or using third-party call-blocking applications. These call-blocking methods may not reveal the caller’s number or details, but they will stop harmful calls from getting through to your device.
You can block unknown callers or direct them straight to voicemail through your phone settings. This feature is useful for avoiding unwanted interruptions and potential scams, allowing you to receive calls from known and trusted contacts only.
Open Settings > tap Phone > toggle on Silence Unknown Callers.
The Silence Unknown Callers feature on iPhone can be effective for reducing spam calls but it may lead to missed important calls, voicemail clutter, and potential delays in communication from legitimate numbers not saved in your contacts.
You can also shut down other avenues of attack used by scammers and hackers by using trusted iPhone security apps.
Open the Phone app and tap the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner. Choose Settings > Blocked numbers > toggle on Block unknown callers / Block calls from unidentified numbers.
Android's call-blocking feature can block calls from no caller ID numbers and stop spam text messages. However, this feature may also prevent important calls from reaching you. To turn the feature off, follow the steps above and simply tap the toggle to the off position.
Contact your phone service provider, ask about their Do Not Call list or telemarketer blocking options, and request to activate these services on your account. While this can help reduce unwanted calls from telemarketers, be aware that it may not fully protect you from scam or spam calls, and there may be a fee attached to the service.
Using an unknown caller blocker apps like TrueCaller and Hiya can automatically identify and block suspicious calls, providing a more effective defense than built-in phone settings alone.
Here’s how to use third-party unknown caller blocker apps:
Download and install the call blocker from the App Store or Google Play.
Create an account using your email or social media profile. You may need to verify your phone number to complete the setup.
Grant app permissions to allow specific apps access to contacts, call logs, and other necessary information. (Note, always think twice before granting apps permissions, and grant only those permissions that are necessary for the app to work properly.)
Enable call blocking by navigating to the app settings and enabling call-blocking features. This may include options for auto-blocking spam calls or filtering unknown callers.
Adjust settings to suit your preferences and add numbers to a blacklist or enable notifications for blocked calls.
When choosing an unknown call blocker, be sure to research trustworthy apps by reading independent reviews and checking the app permissions before installing. Always use reliable apps from companies you trust.
To help maintain effective call blocking, always keep call blocker app software updated, customize settings, and update your block lists in the app.
To optimize your call blocker app:
Check for app updates in the Google Play app or the App Store to ensure you have the latest features and security patches.
Grant the call blocker app permissions to access your contacts, call logs, and phone settings as required. Be cautious about the permissions you grant to protect your privacy.
Customize blocking preferences by opening the call blocker app and adding specific numbers and area codes, or enabling automatic spam detection features.
Enable notifications and alerts in the app settings to notify you of blocked calls or potential spam.
Review and update your block lists and the app's database to ensure new spam numbers are identified and blocked and legitimate contacts are allowed.
Always review app updates to ensure their commitment to strong privacy policies and avoid granting unnecessary permissions.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is an independent US government agency that can investigate, stop, and possibly prosecute scammers reported to them — even if they used an unknown caller ID.
To report a scam to the FTC, go to the FTC’s fraud report page and select Report Now. Fill out the form with as many details as you can provide, then tap Submit.
Reporting scams to the FTC—or your local equivalent if you live outside the US—also helps them build up an in-depth picture of the scam landscape to find patterns and trends, and develop strategies for identifying and stopping future scams before they occur.
The FTC can help stop phone spoofing and other phone-related crimes and malpractices, but you can also report internet scams and other forms of fraud to them.
No caller ID refers to calls where the caller deliberately hides their phone number so that no caller ID is available. Unknown calls and messages often come from telemarketers and scammers spreading spam or perpetrating tech support scams or other ploys. However, there are also legitimate callers who may hide their number for privacy reasons.
The terms unknown caller and no caller ID are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference. All unidentified callers are unknown but only numbers that are deliberately hidden by the caller are known as having no caller ID.
Here’s a more detailed definition of the difference:
Unknown caller: This occurs when network issues prevent caller ID information from reaching your device. It can happen even if the caller is in your contacts or calling from abroad. The phone service provider simply can't identify the caller.
No caller ID: This indicates that the caller has intentionally hidden their phone number. It is often used for privacy or anonymity by individuals or organizations, but it can also be employed by scammers to conceal their identities.
You may be receiving calls from unknown numbers or spam callers because your details were leaked in a data breach, there are technical issues with your phone service provider, or you’re being targeted by telemarketers or scammers.
Here’s a rundown of the various reasons you may be receiving unknown number calls:
Data breach: Your phone number may have been exposed in a data breach from a company or service you've used.
Public directories: Public directory listings or social media profiles make your number easily accessible to telemarketers.
Data brokers: You have filled out an online form or survey, or signed up for free trials or loyalty programs using your phone number, which was then sold to third-party brokers.
Doxxing: Someone may have doxxed you (exposed your personal information without your permission online) and shared your number on the dark web.
Autodial systems: Spam callers use bots to dial numbers sequentially, meaning you could be targeted purely by chance. Engaging with these callers will increase the likelihood of future calls because it lets the spammers know that your number is active.
Spoofed calls: You may have answered a spoofed call that appears to come from a legitimate or familiar number. If you pick up, you inadvertently confirm to scammers that your number is active.
Social engineering: You could have fallen victim to a social engineering scheme that led you to provide your phone number to scammers, resulting in an influx of spam calls.
The main three ways in which people make no-caller ID calls are through their phone service provider, with a third-party app, or by using caller ID spoofing:
Caller ID blocking: Many phone service providers give callers the option to call someone without revealing their phone number, which blocks their identity from a recipient's caller ID display.
Third-party apps: Some apps allow people to place calls with anonymous or fake phone numbers. Depending on the app, different technologies are used to hide a caller’s number or display virtual or disposable phone numbers.
Spoofing: Caller ID spoofing enables fake information to be displayed on a recipient’s caller ID display, including fake phone numbers and even different area or country codes.
All the personal data stored on your phone can make it a tempting target for cybercriminals, scammers, and snoops. That’s why using a robust online privacy and security tool is so important—it can help protect you against threats resulting from scam attempts.
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