Block your number on a single call using *67

The simplest way to hide your number from one person is to dial *67 before the phone number, then press call. This works on most landlines and mobile phones in the United States and Canada. When the person answers, they will see "Private," "Blocked," or "Unknown" instead of your number.

The process takes three seconds: press *67, then the ten-digit number, then call. If you dial it wrong or forget the code, just hang up and try again — there is no charge for failed attempts. The block applies only to that single call; your next call will show your number normally unless you dial *67 again.

This method works regardless of whether the person has a smartphone, basic phone, or landline. It does not require you to change any settings or contact your phone company. However, some businesses — banks, hospitals, government offices — may refuse to take calls from blocked numbers, so this approach works best for personal calls.

Key Takeaways

  • Dialing *67 before any phone number hides your caller ID for that single call on most US and Canadian phones.
  • The block lasts only for one call; you must dial *67 again if you want to hide your number on the next call.
  • Some businesses and government offices will not accept blocked calls, so this method works best for personal contacts.
  • If a person has blocked all private calls on their phone, they will not receive your call even if you use *67.
  • Your phone company cannot override *67 or force your number to show when you use this code.

What happens when someone rejects calls from blocked numbers

Many people set their phones to reject or send to voicemail any call that shows as private or blocked. If the person you are calling has turned on this setting, your call will not go through — they will not hear the phone ring, and you will either hear a busy signal or be sent to voicemail.

You have no way to know in advance whether someone has blocked private calls. If your call does not connect, try calling again without *67 so they can see your number and choose whether to answer. Alternatively, you can send a text message or email to let them know you are trying to reach them.

Using *67 on different phone types

On a smartphone (iPhone or Android), open the phone app, dial *67 followed by the number, and tap the call button. The process is identical to a normal call. Some phones display a small icon or notification confirming the number is blocked, but this varies by manufacturer.

On a basic or flip phone, dial *67 and the number the same way. The code works on nearly all carriers — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and regional carriers all support it. If you are using a very old phone or a specialty service, contact your carrier to confirm *67 is available.

On a landline, dial *67 before the number just as you would on a mobile phone. The code works the same way. If you are calling from a business phone system or office PBX, ask your IT department whether *67 is enabled, as some systems block it.

Permanent number blocking versus hiding your number on one call

Blocking your number with *67 is temporary and applies to a single call. If you want to prevent someone from calling you back, or if you want to hide your number on every call you make to a particular person, you need a different approach.

To block incoming calls from someone, use your phone's built-in block feature: on iPhone, open the contact, scroll down, and tap "Block this Caller"; on Android, open the contact, tap the three dots, and select "Block number." This prevents them from reaching you, but it does not hide your number when you call them.

If you want to hide your number on all future calls to one person, you would need to dial *67 every time you call them. There is no setting to make *67 permanent for a single contact. Some phone plans offer a "per-call blocking" feature through the carrier, but *67 is the standard method most people use.

When *67 does not work

In rare cases, *67 may not block your number. This can happen if your phone plan does not support the feature, if you are calling internationally, or if you are using a VoIP service (like Skype or Google Voice) that does not recognize the code.

If you are calling outside the United States or Canada, check whether the country you are calling into supports number blocking. Some countries do not allow it, and the code may not work. If you are using a VoIP service, log into your account settings and look for a "caller ID" or "privacy" option — most services let you hide your number through the app rather than through *67.

If *67 does not work on your phone, contact your carrier's customer service line. They can confirm whether the feature is active on your account and enable it if it has been disabled. Some carriers charge a small monthly fee for per-call blocking, though most include it at no cost.

Why someone might want to hide their number

People use *67 for many legitimate reasons: calling a business to ask about a job opening without revealing their personal number, reaching out to an ex-partner without giving them your current contact information, or contacting a service provider without adding your number to their marketing list.

Using *67 is legal in the United States and Canada. However, repeatedly calling someone with a blocked number after they have asked you to stop, or using it to harass or threaten someone, is illegal. If someone is using a blocked number to contact you repeatedly and you want it to stop, contact your local police or your phone carrier's abuse team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone find out my number if I use *67?

No. When you dial *67, your phone company does not transmit your number to the person you are calling. They will see only "Private," "Blocked," or "Unknown." Law enforcement and phone companies can trace the call if needed, but the person receiving the call cannot discover your number through normal means.

Do I have to dial *67 every time I call the same person?

Yes. The block applies only to that single call. If you want to hide your number on your next call to the same person, you must dial *67 again. There is no way to set it permanently for one contact using *67 alone.

What if I dial *67 and then realize I made a mistake?

Hang up before the person answers and dial again. Once the call connects and the person picks up, they have already seen the blocked number on their screen. Hanging up after they answer does not change what they saw.

Will *67 work if I am calling from my work phone?

It depends on your company's phone system. Some office phone systems block the *67 code for security or compliance reasons. Ask your IT department or manager whether *67 is enabled on your work line. If it is not, you may not be able to hide your number from work phones.

Can I use *67 to call 911?

No. Emergency services need your real number to locate you, so *67 does not work on 911 calls. Your number will always transmit to the dispatcher regardless of whether you dial *67 first.