How To Find out Who an Unknown Caller Is

If you frequently receive unwanted calls from unknown numbers, you’re probably frustrated and looking for ways to stop them.

Unfortunately, since you don’t know what that number is, you can’t block it. So what are your options?

This article shows you everything you need to know to determine who that unknown caller is.

How Do Callers Hide Their Phone Number?

First, how do these people hide their phone numbers when they call you?

Anyone can hide their number because of the No Caller ID feature. When you make a call, you appear as an Unknown Caller. All that it takes is entering a few digits.

Enter *67 before the number that you wish to call. This action will automatically block their caller ID. The number you dial would look like this: *67-555-555-0000.

The No Caller ID feature is usually used to prevent tracking; however, some people misuse it for harassment and other illegal activities. That’s why you must learn to unmask the caller’s number.

The following section shows you how to reveal an unknown caller.

How to Find out Who an Unknown Caller Is

Finding out who an unknown caller is can allow you to block them and stop receiving their unwanted calls. Here are some different methods you can use to identify an unknown caller.

1. Call Your Phone Company

Since landline phone companies have records of your previous calls, they usually provide their customers with an Anonymous Caller ID service. Depending on your carrier, you can activate the *57 service. This star code reveals the unknown phone number and possibly other minor details.

Unfortunately, not every carrier supports this function, and those that do often charge a fee every time you use it. If the methods below don’t work for you, contact your phone carrier to see if *57 is an option, but you must dial the star code directly after the anonymous call.

2. Use TrapCall

TrapCall is one of the most reliable services to unmask and block unknown numbers.

The TrapCall app allows its users to:

• Unmask any phone number.
  
• Unmask a caller’s name, address, and photo with No Caller ID turned on.
  
• Put these numbers on a blacklist so that when they call again, they will hear a message telling them that your number has been disconnected or isn’t in service.
  
• Use automatic spam call blocking.
  
• Use incoming call recording.
  

All you need to do is subscribe to TrapCall by signing up on the official website. After that, you activate the service on your mobile phone. The process usually lasts around 5 minutes and is pretty straightforward.

After setting up TrapCall, you must choose decline when receiving a No Caller ID call. After that, TrapCall redirects the number to their system, unmasks the caller, and sends you a notification with the exact number and additional information.

TrapCall works on both Android and iPhone smartphone devices. Unfortunately, this service isn’t available anywhere outside the USA.

Note: You must disable or reassign your virtual private network (VPN) connection, if you are using one, to a US location to use the website and activate the application.

TrapCall offers a free trial option.

Blocking Unwanted, Unknown Callers

Fortunately, cell phone manufacturers have made it simple to block unknown callers using built-in options. However, remember that many scammers try to use a different number every time.

Block Unwanted Calls on iPhone (iOS 13 or later)

1. Go to “Settings.”
   
2. Scroll down and tap on “Phone.”
   
3. Toggle “Silence Unknown Callers” to the on position.
   
   

Block Unwanted Calls on Android

1. Open the “Dialer” on your Android Device.
   
2. Tap the “vertical ellipsis” (three vertical dots) menu on the right-hand side of the app.
   
3. Select “Settings.”
   
4. Tap “Blocked numbers.”
   
5. Toggle “Unknown” to the on position to block calls from unidentified callers.
   
6. Tap “Add a number” if you know the number and want to block calls from it specifically, aside from unknown ones.
   
7. Type the specific phone number in and select “Block.”
   

Now, unknown calls will get blocked, and any numbers you specify will not go through. Once again, remember that the caller can change the number at any time so that calls make it through. However, you still have the “unknown” callers blocked regardless.

How to Block Specific Phone Numbers using Recents on Android/iOS

Once you figure out an unknown caller’s number, you can easily block them using the recent list in your smartphone’s features.

How to Block Specific Numbers on Android

Android instructions vary depending on make, model, and software version, but they should be similar for most phones.

1. Launch the phone’s dialer.
   
   
2. Ensure you are in the “Recents” tab, then press and hold the phone number you want to block.
   
3. Choose “Block/report spam” from the list.
   
4. Add a check to “Report call as spam” if desired, then tap “Block.”
   

How to Block Specific Numbers on iOS

Apple iPhone users can easily block calls by following these instructions:

1. Open your iPhone’s “Recent Calls” option and scroll to the number you want to block.
   
2. Tap the “circled i” to the right of the number.
   
3. Scroll down and choose “Block this caller.”
   
4. Confirm that you’d like to block the number by tapping “Block Contact.”
   

Once you complete the above steps, the caller will only receive a message stating that you’re not accepting calls or something of that nature.

Although you’ve blocked the number that is calling, the user of that number will never know. They will receive a message similar to a disconnected phone. Please remember that the user can change the reported number, allowing the call to go through.

Call Blocking FAQs

Can my telephone provider tell me who the unknown caller is?

Unfortunately, providers cannot tell you the name of an unknown caller. Otherwise, user privacy could be violated. Whether you call your cellphone provider or your landline provider, you can’t get this information from a carrier because they also do not track unknown callers.

Are unknown calls dangerous?

While most phone calls you receive are benign and nothing more than a nuisance, one should be cautious of any unknown calls. Of course, you shouldn’t answer these calls at all. This situation is due to scammers, and the number you cannot see may be from an international area, which means your carrier could charge you a hefty fee for answering.

Remember that any crucial messages from legitimate businesses, like utility companies, phone providers, banks, credit card companies, contractors, etc., should be delivered as a letter in the mail or an email if you opt for digital delivery. Also, they’ll leave a message if the caller is genuine and the information is essential.

Wrapping Up

While dealing with blocked numbers or anonymous phone calls can be annoying, it’s a reasonably easy problem to deal with at the end of the day. Hopefully, this article provided a few answers and solutions for finding out who an unknown caller is.