How to Make Anonymous Phone Calls: 5 Methods to Protect Your Identity
When you make a regular phone call, the person on the other end can usually see your name and phone number on their caller ID. But there are times you may want to keep your identity private when calling someone. Maybe you‘re dealing with a sensitive personal matter, investigating something confidential, or blowing the whistle on unethical behavior. Whatever your reason, there are several ways to make anonymous phone calls and protect your privacy.
In this guide, we‘ll cover five methods for anonymous calling, ranging from simple techniques using your existing phone to more advanced setups leveraging special apps and VoIP services. We‘ll explain how each method works, what you need to use it, and discuss the benefits and limitations to help you pick the best option for your needs. Here‘s what we‘ll cover:
- Blocking your caller ID with *67
- Using a public payphone
- Buying a prepaid "burner" phone
- Anonymous calling apps and services
- Setting up an anonymous VoIP number
First, a quick note: Anonymous calling has legitimate uses but can also enable harassment, stalking, and other unethical behavior. Only use these techniques for legal, ethical purposes and respect others‘ privacy. No method is 100% untraceable and records of your call may still exist even if your number is hidden. Use good judgment and take precautions to protect yourself and others.
Method 1: Blocking Caller ID with 67
The quickest way to hide your number is to dial 67 before entering the number you want to call. This code tells your carrier to block your caller ID on the receiving end, displaying "Private" or "Restricted" instead of your information. The recipient can still answer the call but won‘t see your real number unless you choose to reveal it.
Pros:
- Fast and easy, works with any phone
- Free aside from normal airtime charges
- Hides your number without extra apps/services
Cons:
- Only hides caller ID, not your voice/identity
- Doesn‘t work for toll-free 800 numbers
- May not work if recipient has anonymous call rejection enabled
- Not 100% reliable, some carriers/systems can still expose number
To use 67 blocking, simply dial 67 followed by the 10-digit number you want to call. You should hear a confirmation message that your number will be hidden, then the call will go through as usual. This works for both landlines and cell phones.
Note that the recipient can still choose not to answer calls from blocked numbers, and some carriers offer an anonymous call rejection feature that sends private numbers straight to voicemail. There‘s also a small chance your number could still be exposed in some cases. Still, *67 is a quick and easy first line of defense for privacy.
Method 2: Using a Public Payphone
If you don‘t want the call traced back to your personal phone at all, making the call from a public payphone is an old-school but effective method. Payphones don‘t have caller ID and aren‘t connected to your name or address. Unless there are cameras recording the area, it‘s very difficult to prove who made a call from a public phone.
Pros:
- Completely separates your identity from the call
- Doesn‘t require signing up for any service
- Works even if you don‘t have a phone
Cons:
- Payphones increasingly hard to find
- Requires paying with coins or prepaid card
- Have to go to payphone location in person
- No ability to receive calls back
- Not possible to verify identity of other party
Public payphones used to be ubiquitous but are now a dying breed. Still, they remain one of the most anonymous ways to make a call. No signup or special equipment needed – just find a working payphone, deposit your coins or swipe a prepaid card, and dial. Avoid payphones in high-traffic, heavily surveilled areas if you‘re concerned about cameras.
The downside of payphones is you have to physically go to one to make a call, which may be inconvenient or even impossible depending on your location. You also can‘t receive incoming calls and have no way to verify the identity of the person you‘re calling. But if you need a quick, one-time anonymous call, a payphone is still a solid choice.
Method 3: Buying a Prepaid "Burner" Phone
A prepaid cell phone, colloquially known as a "burner phone," is a mobile device you pay for upfront that isn‘t connected to your identity. You can buy prepaid phones with cash from convenience stores, electronics shops, and online retailers. Some prepaid carriers also offer anonymous activation options that don‘t require a name or address.
Pros:
- Not connected to your real identity
- Can be purchased with cash for anonymity
- Gives you a working phone number to make/receive calls
- Can be discarded after use to cut link
Cons:
- Requires buying a phone and airtime
- More expensive than other methods for long-term use
- Anonymity depends on how and where you buy the phone
- Vulnerable to tracking/interception like any mobile phone
- Have to properly dispose of phone to maintain privacy
To get an anonymous prepaid phone, buy a handset and prepaid SIM card with cash, activate under a fake name if required, then use as needed. Take care not to provide any identifying information if you want to remain anonymous. Basic flip phones are cheaper and attract less attention than smartphones.
Keep in mind that even a prepaid phone can still be tracked by its device identifier (IMEI) or SIM card number (ICCID). Your general location can also be inferred when the phone pings cell towers. Intelligence agencies have been known to use these techniques to surveil persons of interest.
If you need ongoing anonymous calls, using prepaid phones can get expensive since you have to keep buying new devices and airtime. Properly disposing of a phone is also crucial – remove the SIM card, perform a factory reset, then physically destroy the device to eliminate any chance of data recovery.
Method 4: Anonymous Calling Apps and Services
A more high-tech option for private calling is to use a dedicated anonymous calling app or service. These tools work by routing your call through their system and masking your real number with a temporary, disposable one. Some popular choices include:
- Burner – Provides throwaway numbers for calling/texting. Free and paid plans.
- Hushed – Offers disposable numbers in hundreds of area codes. Paid plans by duration.
- CoverMe – Focuses on private calls, texts and encrypted phone storage. Paid subscription.
- Google Voice – Lets you pick a free secondary number for calls/messages. Requires Google account.
Each service works a bit differently, but in general you download the app, choose a new number, then use that to place calls or send texts instead of your real digits. The app acts as a middleman, connecting the call without exposing your personal information.
Pros:
- Cheapest, most convenient long-term anonymous calling
- Provides a working number you can use over time
- Some services offer multiple numbers and disposable digits
- Works over mobile data or WiFi
- May offer bonus privacy features like encrypted storage
Cons:
- Requires signing up, usually with an email or existing number
- Most apps require a subscription fee for long-term use
- Your anonymous number is still controlled by the provider
- Calls/texts could be exposed if the service is hacked or subpoenaed
- Need a smartphone and Internet access
Calling apps are best if you need a lasting secondary number for ongoing anonymous calls, or want the convenience of managing disposable digits from an app. However, you‘re still trusting the service to protect your info – a data breach or court order could expose who owns each number. Using a service also creates a paper trail, even if it doesn‘t include your real name.
Pick a reputable service with clear privacy policies and use an anonymous email or none at all when signing up. For max privacy, access the service through a VPN or Tor. Avoid linking your anonymous number to your real identity (like on a Facebook profile) and never give your real number to the person you‘re anonymously calling.
Method 5: Setting Up an Anonymous VoIP Number
For the most technically savvy, it‘s possible to create your own anonymous Voice over IP (VoIP) number. VoIP services like Skype or Google Voice convert your voice to data and transmit it over the Internet, which is much harder to trace than regular phone calls. Anonymity comes from how you sign up and connect to the service.
The key is to register for the VoIP service anonymously, without giving your real name, address or payment info. Use a fake name and a throwaway email address. Some services accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, which can be purchased somewhat anonymously.
When you‘re ready to make a call, connect to the VoIP service using an anonymizing layer like Tor or a VPN. This masks your IP address so it‘s not linked to your anonymous number. Tor is the most secure option, as it routes your traffic through multiple servers to hide the source, but a trustworthy no-logs VPN can also provide good protection.
Pros:
- Potentially the most anonymous calling method if done right
- Can create multiple anonymous numbers for different purposes
- Encrypted VoIP provides security as well as anonymity
- Can be very low cost aside from VPN/VoIP fees
- Adaptable to your specific needs and setup
Cons:
- Requires significant technical knowledge to set up
- Anonymity can be compromised if you slip up
- Dependent on quality of VPN and VoIP services
- May have worse call quality/reliability than regular phone
- Best privacy requires avoiding popular services
- No 911 access or other emergency calling
Setting up an anonymous VoIP line isn‘t for everyone given the technical overhead. But if you‘re willing to put in the work, it can provide very good privacy. Just be aware that one mistake, like signing up with your real email or making a payment with your credit card, can ruin the anonymity of the whole setup.
It‘s also important to avoid popular services that could be pressured to give up user info. A small, security-focused VoIP provider is best, ideally one that accepts anonymous payments and doesn‘t log user activity. Use this in tandem with Tor or a proven no-logs VPN for maximum protection.
Putting It All Together
Which anonymous calling method is right for you? It depends on your specific situation, but here are some general guidelines:
- Use *67 for quick, one-off calls from your personal phone
- Use a payphone if you need max anonymity for an important one-time call
- Use a burner phone if you need a anonymous line for temporary use and don‘t mind the cost
- Use an anonymous calling app if you want an easy, low-cost disposable number for occasional calls
- Use anonymous VoIP for the best privacy on a budget if you don‘t mind a technical setup
Whichever method you choose, be careful to maintain privacy by not sharing any identifying details on the call. It only takes one slip to ruin your anonymity. If you need to receive anonymous calls back, a burner phone or calling app are the best options.
Remember, these techniques are meant for privacy, not abuse or illegal activity. Harassing someone with anonymous calls is still harassment. Most private calls can still be exposed with enough time and effort by law enforcement. But for legal, above-board uses, these methods provide good ways to talk without revealing your identity.
