How to Call Anonymously: A Comprehensive Guide to Protecting Your Privacy
In today’s digital age, privacy is more important than ever. Whether you’re a journalist protecting sources, a whistleblower reporting misconduct, or simply someone who wants to keep their personal life private, knowing how to call anonymously can be a valuable skill. This comprehensive guide provides detailed steps and instructions on various methods you can use to make anonymous phone calls, along with the pros and cons of each approach.
## Why Call Anonymously?
There are numerous legitimate reasons why someone might want to make an anonymous phone call:
* **Protecting Sources:** Journalists and researchers often need to communicate with sources who fear retaliation if their identities are revealed.
* **Whistleblowing:** Employees who witness unethical or illegal activities may want to report them anonymously to avoid professional repercussions.
* **Personal Safety:** Individuals facing harassment, stalking, or domestic violence may need to contact authorities or support services without revealing their location.
* **Privacy Concerns:** Some people simply prefer to keep their phone number private when contacting businesses, responding to online ads, or dealing with unwanted callers.
* **Market Research:** Businesses may conduct anonymous surveys or gather feedback without influencing responses based on caller ID.
* **Investigative Purposes:** Private investigators and law enforcement agencies may use anonymous calls to gather information in sensitive cases.
## Methods for Calling Anonymously
Several methods allow you to make anonymous phone calls, each with varying degrees of effectiveness and convenience. Here’s a breakdown of the most common options:
### 1. Using *67
The simplest and most widely known method for hiding your caller ID is to dial *67 before the phone number you’re calling. This service is available on most landlines and mobile phones in the United States and Canada.
**How it Works:**
When you dial *67, your phone company blocks your caller ID information from being transmitted to the recipient’s phone. The recipient’s phone will typically display “Private Number,” “Blocked Number,” “Unknown Caller,” or something similar.
**Steps to Use *67:**
1. Open your phone’s dialer.
2. Enter *67 followed by the phone number you want to call (e.g., *67-555-123-4567).
3. Press the call button.
**Pros:**
* **Easy to Use:** *67 is quick and straightforward to use.
* **Free:** Most phone providers offer *67 service free of charge on a per-call basis.
* **Widely Available:** *67 works on most landlines and mobile phones in North America.
**Cons:**
* **Not Truly Anonymous:** While *67 hides your caller ID from the recipient, your phone company still knows your number. Law enforcement agencies can obtain this information with a warrant.
* **Can Be Bypassed:** Some people block calls from private numbers, so your call might not go through.
* **May Not Work Internationally:** *67 is primarily a North American service and may not work in other countries.
* **Limited Privacy:** This method only hides your caller ID. The recipient can still potentially trace the call back to you through other means.
### 2. Using Caller ID Blocking (Permanent Blocking)
Some phone companies offer a permanent caller ID blocking service. This service blocks your caller ID on all outgoing calls unless you specifically choose to unblock it for a particular call. This is different from *67, which you must dial before each call.
**How it Works:**
When you have permanent caller ID blocking enabled, your phone company automatically blocks your caller ID information on all outgoing calls. To unblock your caller ID for a specific call, you typically need to dial *82 before the phone number.
**Steps to Enable Permanent Caller ID Blocking:**
1. Contact your phone company’s customer service department.
2. Request to enable permanent caller ID blocking on your phone line.
3. Follow the instructions provided by your phone company to confirm the change.
**Steps to Unblock Caller ID for a Specific Call:**
1. Open your phone’s dialer.
2. Enter *82 followed by the phone number you want to call (e.g., *82-555-123-4567).
3. Press the call button.
**Pros:**
* **Convenient:** You don’t have to dial *67 before each call.
* **Consistent:** Your caller ID is always blocked unless you specifically unblock it.
**Cons:**
* **Not Truly Anonymous:** Similar to *67, your phone company still knows your number. Law enforcement agencies can obtain this information with a warrant.
* **Can Be Bypassed:** Some people block calls from private numbers.
* **Potential Cost:** Some phone companies may charge a fee for permanent caller ID blocking.
* **Remembering to Unblock:** You need to remember to dial *82 if you want your caller ID to be displayed for a particular call.
### 3. Using a Burner Phone
A burner phone is a prepaid mobile phone that you can purchase without providing personal information. These phones are typically used for short-term purposes and then discarded or deactivated.
**How it Works:**
When you purchase a burner phone with cash and without providing identification, it becomes difficult to trace calls made from that phone back to you. You can use the phone to make calls anonymously and then dispose of it when you’re finished.
**Steps to Use a Burner Phone:**
1. Purchase a prepaid mobile phone with cash from a retailer that doesn’t require identification.
2. Activate the phone using a prepaid SIM card without providing personal information (some retailers may require minimal information).
3. Make your anonymous calls.
4. Dispose of the phone and SIM card when you’re finished.
**Pros:**
* **More Anonymous:** Burner phones offer a higher level of anonymity than *67 or permanent caller ID blocking because they are not directly linked to your personal information.
* **Disposable:** You can easily dispose of the phone and SIM card when you’re finished, further reducing the risk of being traced.
**Cons:**
* **Cost:** Burner phones and prepaid SIM cards can be expensive, especially if you need to make a lot of anonymous calls.
* **Limited Functionality:** Burner phones typically have limited features and may not be suitable for all types of communication.
* **Potential for Tracking:** While burner phones are more anonymous than traditional phones, they can still be tracked by law enforcement agencies using cellular triangulation or other methods.
* **Short Lifespan:** Prepaid SIM cards often expire after a certain period of inactivity, requiring you to purchase new ones regularly.
* **Suspicious Behavior:** Repeatedly buying and discarding phones can raise suspicion.
### 4. Using a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Service
VoIP services allow you to make phone calls over the internet using a computer, smartphone, or other device. Many VoIP providers offer features that allow you to hide your caller ID or use a virtual phone number.
**How it Works:**
When you use a VoIP service, your phone calls are routed over the internet instead of the traditional phone network. This allows you to use a virtual phone number that is not directly linked to your personal information. You can also configure your VoIP service to hide your caller ID on all outgoing calls.
**Popular VoIP Services for Anonymous Calling:**
* **Google Voice:** Google Voice offers a free phone number that you can use to make and receive calls and send text messages. You can configure Google Voice to hide your caller ID on outgoing calls.
* **Burner:** Burner is a mobile app that allows you to create temporary phone numbers that you can use for anonymous calling and texting. These numbers are disposable and can be easily deleted when you’re finished with them.
* **Hushed:** Hushed is another mobile app that offers similar features to Burner. You can use Hushed to create temporary phone numbers for anonymous calling and texting.
* **TextFree:** TextFree provides a free phone number for calling and texting over Wi-Fi.
* **WhatsApp/Signal/Telegram:** While primarily messaging apps, these services offer end-to-end encrypted voice calls, masking your actual phone number from the recipient (though they know you’re using the service).
**Steps to Use a VoIP Service for Anonymous Calling:**
1. Choose a VoIP service that offers the features you need (e.g., caller ID blocking, virtual phone numbers).
2. Sign up for an account with the VoIP service.
3. Download and install the VoIP app on your computer or smartphone.
4. Configure the app to hide your caller ID or use a virtual phone number.
5. Make your anonymous calls.
**Pros:**
* **Affordable:** Many VoIP services offer free or low-cost options for anonymous calling.
* **Flexible:** You can use VoIP services on a variety of devices, including computers, smartphones, and tablets.
* **Virtual Phone Numbers:** VoIP services allow you to use virtual phone numbers that are not directly linked to your personal information.
* **Caller ID Blocking:** Many VoIP services offer features that allow you to hide your caller ID on outgoing calls.
* **Encryption:** Some VoIP services offer end-to-end encryption for added security and privacy.
**Cons:**
* **Internet Connection Required:** VoIP services require a stable internet connection to work properly.
* **Potential for Tracking:** While VoIP services offer more anonymity than traditional phone lines, they can still be tracked by law enforcement agencies using IP addresses or other methods.
* **Privacy Policies:** Be sure to read the privacy policies of any VoIP service you use to understand how your data is collected and used.
* **Number Availability:** Finding a desirable or local-looking virtual number can sometimes be challenging.
* **Emergency Services:** Many VoIP services do not support calls to emergency services (e.g., 911). Be sure to have a backup plan in case of an emergency.
### 5. Using a Public Phone (Payphone)
Although increasingly rare, public phones (payphones) offer a highly anonymous way to make calls because they are not directly linked to any individual. Calls made from payphones are difficult to trace unless there is surveillance footage of you using the phone.
**How it Works:**
When you use a public phone, you are not providing any personal information to the phone company. The call cannot be traced back to you unless someone sees you using the phone and recognizes you.
**Steps to Use a Public Phone:**
1. Locate a public phone (payphone).
2. Insert coins or use a prepaid calling card to make the call.
3. Make your anonymous call.
4. Leave the area immediately after you’re finished.
**Pros:**
* **Highly Anonymous:** Public phones offer a high level of anonymity because they are not linked to any individual.
* **No Personal Information Required:** You don’t need to provide any personal information to use a public phone.
**Cons:**
* **Rare:** Public phones are becoming increasingly rare and difficult to find.
* **Inconvenient:** Finding a working public phone can be time-consuming and inconvenient.
* **Cost:** Public phones typically charge a fee for each call.
* **Unreliable:** Public phones are often poorly maintained and may not always be in working order.
* **Lack of Privacy:** Calls made from public phones are not private and can be overheard by others.
* **Hygiene:** Public phones can be unsanitary.
### 6. Using an Anonymizing Call Service
These services act as intermediaries, routing your call through their system to mask your real number. They often provide temporary or disposable numbers.
**How it Works:**
You sign up with the service, often paying a fee, and then use their platform to make calls. The recipient sees the service’s number or a temporary number, not yours.
**Examples of Anonymizing Call Services:**
* **SpoofCard:** Allows you to change your caller ID, record calls, and add background noises.
* **Crazy Call:** Enables prank calls and caller ID spoofing.
* **Phoner:** Provides temporary phone numbers for various purposes.
**Steps to Use an Anonymizing Call Service:**
1. Research and choose a reputable anonymizing call service.
2. Sign up for an account and pay any required fees.
3. Follow the service’s instructions to make your anonymous call, often using their app or website.
**Pros:**
* **Relatively Anonymous:** Hides your real number effectively.
* **Feature-Rich:** Some services offer additional features like call recording and voice changing.
**Cons:**
* **Cost:** These services typically require a subscription or per-call fee.
* **Reliability:** The quality and reliability of these services can vary.
* **Legality:** Spoofing caller ID can be illegal in some jurisdictions, especially if used for malicious purposes.
* **Trust:** You are trusting the service provider to protect your privacy.
## Important Considerations
* **Legality:** Be aware that using anonymous calling methods for illegal purposes, such as harassment, fraud, or making threats, is illegal and can have serious consequences. Always use anonymous calling responsibly and ethically.
* **Emergency Calls:** When calling emergency services (e.g., 911), it’s generally best to allow your caller ID to be displayed so that emergency responders can locate you quickly. If you’re in a situation where you need to call 911 anonymously, explain your situation to the operator and provide them with as much information as possible about your location.
* **Data Retention:** Be aware that even if you use anonymous calling methods, your phone company or VoIP provider may still retain records of your calls, including the date, time, and duration of the call, as well as the number you called. Law enforcement agencies can obtain this information with a warrant.
* **Security:** When using VoIP services or mobile apps for anonymous calling, be sure to use a strong password and enable two-factor authentication to protect your account from unauthorized access.
* **No Method is Foolproof:** Remember that no method of anonymous calling is completely foolproof. Determined individuals or law enforcement agencies may be able to trace your calls using various techniques. The level of anonymity you need depends on the specific situation.
* **Terms of Service:** Always review the terms of service of any service you use to make anonymous calls. Some services may prohibit certain types of calls or require you to provide personal information.
* **Spoofing Laws:** Be aware of the laws in your jurisdiction regarding caller ID spoofing. In some areas, it is illegal to spoof your caller ID with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value.
## Choosing the Right Method
The best method for calling anonymously depends on your specific needs and circumstances. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right option:
* **For occasional, low-risk calls:** *67 is a simple and convenient option.
* **For consistent anonymity on all calls:** Consider enabling permanent caller ID blocking.
* **For a higher level of anonymity:** Use a burner phone or a VoIP service with a virtual phone number.
* **For maximum anonymity (but limited availability):** Use a public phone.
* **For temporary numbers and advanced features:** Explore anonymizing call services.
## Conclusion
Calling anonymously can be a valuable tool for protecting your privacy and safety in various situations. By understanding the different methods available and their limitations, you can choose the option that best suits your needs. Remember to use anonymous calling responsibly and ethically and be aware of the legal and security implications of each method. While perfect anonymity is difficult to achieve, taking these precautions can significantly reduce your risk of being identified when making phone calls.