Unknown Caller vs No Caller ID: Key Differences

Do you want to filter out all those mysterious calls from Unknown Callers and No Caller IDs? Receiving frequent calls from such numbers is frustrating, right?

Getting calls from “Unknown Callers” and “No Caller ID” is entirely different. Let me clarify in simple terms. When your phone buzzes with an “unknown” on the screen, it indicates your phone operator cannot recognize the person reaching you due to network issues and telecommunication variations. 

Meanwhile, “No Caller ID” indicates that you are getting a call from someone who does not want to disclose their information for some privacy reasons. It seems like a doubtful call.

Declining calls from unfamiliar numbers is an intelligent way to avoid scams and fraud. If the inbound calls are critical, the callers will leave voicemails or text messages.   

Let’s dive in to understand their differences in detail. 🚀

What does “Unknown caller” mean?

When an incoming call shows the label “Unknown caller,” it indicates that the phone service provider cannot identify the caller ID associated with the call. The recipient receives an unknown call for multifaceted reasons, and a few are listed below. 

• International Calls: When you receive a call from a foreign country, the caller will appear as “unknown” on your screen. This happens because the service provider cannot identify the caller due to variations in the telecommunication systems.
• Network Issues/Technical Issues: Though the caller ID is in your contact, sometimes your phone flashes an unknown caller. The provider cannot fetch caller ID information due to network and technical issues. 
• System Limitations:  System limitations lead to the failure to acknowledge the caller ID information trying to reach you. 

What is “no caller ID”?

When incoming calls appear with “no caller ID,” the caller has intentionally hidden their identity for personal reasons or the nature of their work.  Here are a few reasons why you might be receiving no caller ID calls and they are:

• Some businesses, such as telemarketers and fundraisers, hide their IDs to restrict return calls. They also like to remain anonymous for privacy protection, preventing others from accessing their personal information. 
• Stalkers, fraudsters, and scammers hide their caller IDs to engage in illegal activities. Concealing their identity enables them to target more phone numbers without getting caught or facing legal consequences. 

📝 You might be interested in reading this “ How to change Caller ID Name” blog, which provides simple steps to change and update your ID. 

Unknown caller vs No caller ID: Differences

The unknown caller appears when the phone carrier cannot identify the number for various reasons, such as Network or Technical constraints, system limitations, and differences in the international calling system. Meanwhile, the callers hide their IDs intentionally. Let’s discuss their differences in detail. 

How do we identify No Caller ID and Unknown Callers?

Identifying No-caller IDs and unknown callers is quite challenging, as these features are often used to preserve confidentiality. However, there are specific methods to analyze unknown callers, and they are:

• Dial *69 for the last call return. This will give you the number of the last person who called you, even if you didn’t answer the call.  However, you will get only the number but not the name of the person calling you. 
• Contact your phone carriers and request access to call detail records (CDRs) to learn more about the caller. 
• Use a smartphone application such as Truecaller to automatically identify unknown caller IDs, other scams, and telemarketing SMS. It also swiftly blocks unwanted communication, such as spam calls. 
• You can also report the number to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if you think it is fraudulent. The FTC will investigate and track down callers who attempt to commit fraud.  

How to manage anonymous calls?

Anonymous calls can come from both legitimate callers and scammers. Here are a few steps you can follow to manage such anonymous calls. 

• Request your phone carriers to block calls from Telemarketers: The provider with a “do not call” feature list allows customers to block unwanted sales calls from telemarketers. Unfortunately, it does not protect you from scam calls. 
• Report and block spam calls: You can report the spam calls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud. They will block the number from reaching you for any malicious intention. 
• Avoid sharing your number: Never share your phone number or sensitive details with anyone online. Telemarketers can also obtain your number through data breaches, bombarding you with unwanted calls and messages. Thus, one should only share their number with trusted contacts. 
• Don’t trust “calls from the government”: The scammers often pretend to be government officials to defraud you. They will ask you to disclose your personal information or make you pay false fines. So, never share your details on phone calls. 

How do you block “Unknown Calls” on Android and an iPhone?

Blocking no-caller-id and Unknown-Caller calls is essential to protect personal information against potential scammers. Receiving frequent calls from unknown numbers can be frustrating and disturbing, so blocking such calls beforehand is necessary. 

Block / Silence Unknown Calls On iPhone

You can use the “Silence unknown callers” feature to silence calls that disrupt your daily routine. However, this feature is available only on iPhones and applies to iPhone users. 

1. Open “Settings”.
2. Tap “Phone”.
3. Tap “Silence unknown callers.”
4. Switch the toggle button to the right. 

Block Unknown Calls on Android Phone

Android users can easily block unwanted calls from unsaved numbers by following the simple steps.

1. Go to your “Phone” application. 
2. Tap on the three vertical dots on your screen’s top right side.
3. Select the “Settings” option.
4. Click on the “Block Numbers” options. 
5. Turn on the “Block Unknown/ Private Caller” option. 

👀 Note: Blocking steps might vary depending on the Android device manufacturer and model. Therefore, the best option for assistance is to contact the individual cloud phone system provider. 

Conclusion

A comprehensive understanding of Unknown callers and No Caller IDs helps individuals analyze incoming calls on their smartphones. These calls are typically unintentional and caused by technical issues, international calls, and system-related factors. They can also be from legitimate sources. Thus, the caller’s intent does not primarily focus on hiding their identity. 

On the other hand, “No Caller ID” indicates that the caller intentionally hides their identity for privacy and professional reasons. These calls are often seen as suspicious, and there is a high possibility of getting scammed. Therefore, be aware of such phone calls and never share your details with them. 

FAQs

Why do people block their caller ID?

Many people like to block their caller ID for multiple reasons. These include maintaining privacy, avoiding callbacks, or engaging in telemarketing or surveying where anonymity is preferred. 

Can “Unknown Caller” or “No Caller ID” calls be legitimate?

Yes, due to technological issues or privacy concerns, critical calls (such as those from corporations, government agencies, or physicians’ offices) may show up as “Unknown Caller” or “No Caller ID.”

Is answering calls from “Unknown Caller” or “No Caller ID” safe?

Answering calls from such numbers can be risky, as they might come from telemarketers or scammers for doubtful reasons. Thus, being cautious regarding such calls can help you avoid potential fraud. 

Can no caller ID be traced?

Tracking no-caller ID is challenging because the caller has hidden their number. However, you can dial *69 to see if you can call them back. 

Does no caller ID mean you have them as a contact?

When you receive a call from “No Caller ID,” it doesn’t necessarily mean the caller is in your contacts. It simply means the caller has blocked their number from appearing on caller ID, regardless of whether they are in your contact list.