How to Call Back a Private Number: Step-by-Step Guide

Did you just glance at your phone and see a missed call from “Private Number” or “Unknown Caller”? That little notification can spark a mix of curiosity and, let’s be honest, a little bit of annoyance. Who was it? Was it important? Or just another telemarketer trying to sell you something? A “Private Number” call means the caller has intentionally hidden their phone number from your caller ID. They might have a legitimate reason, or they might be trying to avoid being identified, but don’t worry; there are ways you can call back a private number.

Check out this blog for insight into private numbers, why some people use them, and how you might identify callers.. We will deal with the laws and ethics concerning this matter, provide tips and tricks on how to go about it when a number has been traced back to its legitimate owner, or, if you like, how to prevent any future annoying private calls from bugging you. Let’s get started and unlock the curtain of the private call!

What are Private Numbers?

A private number, also known as a blocked number, is a phone number that doesn’t display on your caller ID when someone calls you. Instead, you might see “Private Number,” “Unknown Caller,” “Blocked,” or something similar. This happens because the caller has chosen to hide their number. They can do this in a few ways:

Caller ID Blocking: The most common method is using a feature provided by their phone service provider. The caller can dial a specific code (like *67 in the US and Canada) before the number they’re calling. This code tells the phone network to suppress their caller ID information for that specific call.

Line Blocking: Some phone plans or business lines have a permanent setting to block caller ID for all outgoing calls. This means every call they make will appear as a private number.

Network Issues: In rare cases, technical glitches or network problems can also cause a number to appear as private, although this is less common.

Private Numbers vs. Blocked and Unknown Calls: Key Differences

Ways to Identify a Private Number

Dealing with a private number calling you can be frustrating. While there’s no guaranteed way to uncover the caller’s identity, several methods might help. Keep in mind that the success of these techniques varies, and some may have limitations or legal considerations.

A. Call Return (Star Codes)

One of the simplest methods to try is using call return, often accessed with star codes. This feature allows you to automatically call back the last number that called you, even if it was a private number.

How to Use:

• After receiving a call from a private number, immediately hang up.

• Dial *69 on your phone.

• Listen to the automated message. It should tell you the number that called you and offer to connect you to that number.

• If you choose to connect, the call will be placed.

• Important Note: In some areas, the code for call return might be *67 instead of *69. If *69 doesn’t work, try *67.

Limitations:

• This method doesn’t always work. The caller might have specifically blocked their number from being revealed, even to call return services.

• It only works for the last incoming call. If you receive multiple calls from private numbers, you can only use this for the most recent one.

• Call return might not be available in all areas or on all phone plans.

B. Third-Party Services and Apps

Several online services and mobile apps like Truecaller claim to offer reverse phone lookup capabilities. These services attempt to match a phone number to publicly available information, potentially revealing the caller’s identity.

How They Work (Briefly):

• These services typically have large databases compiled from various sources, including public records, phone directories, and social media.

• When you enter a phone number, the service searches its database for a match.

• If a match is found, the service might provide information such as the caller’s name, address, and other details.

Examples of Popular Services:

1. WhitePages
2. ZabaSearch
3. BeenVerified
4. Intelius
5. Spokeo

Pros:

• Can be a quick and easy way to find information about a caller.

• Some services offer free searches, although these might be limited.

• Can provide valuable information, especially if the caller is using a landline or has a public presence online.

Cons:

• Accuracy: The information provided by these services isn’t always accurate or up-to-date.

• Limited Information: They might not be able to identify all private numbers, especially those associated with cell phones or numbers that have been recently changed.

• Privacy Concerns: These services collect and store personal information, which raises privacy concerns.

C. Carrier-Based Solutions

Your phone carrier might be able to assist you in identifying a private number, but this usually requires specific circumstances and might involve legal processes.

How to Contact Your Phone Carrier:

• Contact your carrier’s customer service department. You can usually find their contact information on their website or on your phone bill.

• Explain the situation and the reason you need to identify the private number.

Requesting Call Records:

• In some cases, your carrier might be able to provide you with call records, including the phone number of the caller.

• However, this is often only possible if you can demonstrate a legitimate reason, such as harassment or threats.

• You might need to provide documentation, such as police reports or restraining orders.

Trace a Call Feature:

• Some carriers offer a “trace a call” feature. This allows you to flag a call as suspicious, and the carrier will attempt to identify the number.

• This feature is usually reserved for cases of harassment or threats.

• The carrier might require you to file a police report before they will trace the call.

Limitations:

• Carriers are generally very cautious about releasing customer information due to privacy regulations.

• They might require a court order or other legal documentation before they will provide any information.

• The carrier’s ability to identify the number depends on the caller’s phone service and whether they have taken steps to block their number.

• Tracing a call can take time, and there’s no guarantee of success.

D. Using a Landline (if applicable)

If you have access to a landline, you might be able to use it to potentially reveal the number of a private caller.

How to Use:

• After receiving a call from a private number on your cell phone, immediately hang up.

• Use the landline to call the call return number (*69 or *67).

• The landline might be able to reveal the number, even if your cell phone couldn’t.

Limitations:

• This method is not always effective.

• It only works if the landline supports call return and if the caller hasn’t blocked their number from being revealed.

• It requires you to have access to a landline.

E. Other Potential Methods (briefly)

While less reliable, a few other methods might offer a slim chance of identifying a private number:

• Social Media Searches: If the caller left a message, try searching for any unique phrases or information they provided on social media platforms. This is a long shot, but it could potentially lead to a match.

• Online Search Engines: Similar to social media, try searching for any unique information the caller provided in their message on search engines like Google or Bing.

How to Make Your Number Private

The use of a private number means that the names of people calling you cannot be displayed. This requires *67 to be dialed before the number so that your identity remains masked until the call is completed.

On the other hand, the more permanent method to enable private calls is in the phone settings. For an iPhone, this will look like: Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID > Turn Off. On an Android, navigate to Phone > Settings > Call Settings > Additional Settings > Caller ID and choose “Hide number.” Should adjustments in such a manner not guarantee the required protection, you may contact the carrier to obtain a higher level of privacy.

What to Do If You Identify the Number

If you successfully identify a private number, consider your next steps carefully. If the call was harmless, you might choose to ignore it. However, if the call was harassing, threatening, or otherwise unwanted, document everything.

Keep records of the calls, including dates, times, and content. You can then consider reporting the number to your phone carrier and, if necessary, the police. Depending on the nature of the calls, you might also explore legal options, such as a restraining order.

How to Prevent Private Calls to Your Number

Preventing private calls to your number can be challenging, as callers can often choose to hide their identity. However, you can take some steps to minimize these calls. Consider using a call-blocking app or service that allows you to block calls from private numbers.

You can also set up a call screening service through your phone carrier, which requires callers to identify themselves before the call is connected. Be cautious about sharing your phone number online or with untrusted sources. Finally, if you’re receiving harassing calls, consider changing your phone number.

Wrapping Up

At times, private numbers can be quite frustrating and annoying when you do not know if the call is urgent or spam. But there’s no foolproof way of discovering the identity of the caller. The methods, such as *69 call return, reverse phone lookup services, and carrier-based solutions, can help you to determine who the person was. If you believe the act was a case of harassment or fraud, you can always report the call to the telephone carrier or authorities, for this will be most beneficial to you.

To prevent unwanted private calls, consider using call-blocking apps, enabling phone settings to reject anonymous calls, or utilizing a call screening service. Being proactive about your phone security can save you from unnecessary stress and potential scams. Always stay cautious when dealing with unknown callers, and respect privacy laws when attempting to trace a number.

FAQs

Can you call back a private number directly?

No, you cannot directly call back a private number unless you use certain methods like Last Call Return (e.g., dialing *69 on landlines in some regions) or checking with your phone carrier for call logs.

What is 69, and does it work on all phones?

69 (#69 in some regions) is a call return feature available on landlines and some mobile networks. It redials the last incoming call, but it may not work if the caller intentionally blocked their number or used a VoIP service.

How can I unmask a private number?

You can use third-party apps like TrapCall or Truecaller, contact your phone carrier, or enable call tracing services to identify hidden numbers. Some carriers offer premium services to reveal private callers.

Is it legal to trace or call back a private number?

In most cases, using legal methods like *69 or requesting call logs from your carrier is fine. However, recording or tracing calls without consent may violate privacy laws, depending on your location.