Is Star 67 Still a Viable Option for Anonymous Calls? [2024]

In our increasingly digital age, safeguarding privacy is paramount. One way to maintain anonymity as a caller is to use a call-blocking service, such as *67, commonly known as “Star 67.”

As we progress into 2024, amidst evolving technologies and heightened privacy concerns, it’s worth examining whether Star 67 remains an effective tool for anonymous calls.

This article get you through the specifics of Star 67, its applications, and its ongoing relevance as a privacy measure.

Understanding Star 67

Offered by many phone companies in the United States, “Star 67” is a feature that conceals your caller ID during outbound calls.

When you dial *67 before the recipient’s number, your number shows up as “Private,” “Unknown,” or “Blocked” on their caller ID.

Primarily, *67 is used to mask your phone number on caller ID systems, commonly for security purposes or to avert unwanted calls.

How to Use Star 67?

To activate *67, simply enter *67 on your phone’s keypad before making a call. This code signals your phone service provider to hide your caller ID for that particular call. Following this, you dial the recipient’s number and area code as you would normally, then initiate the call.

When the call connects, the recipient sees “Private,” “Unknown,” or “Blocked” as the caller ID, effectively concealing your phone number and ensuring a degree of privacy for the duration of the call.

By using *67, you can selectively hide your caller ID, thus maintaining anonymity for specific calls.

When Should You Use *67?

There are various scenarios where employing *67 to hide your caller ID is beneficial:

• Online Dating: Utilize *67 to safeguard your phone number when connecting with someone online, until you feel safe to share it.
• Online Shopping: When interacting with unfamiliar online sellers or companies, you can protect your phone number using *67.
• Business Calls: Freelancers and digital marketers might use *67 to conceal their business numbers while reaching out to clients.
• Privacy Needs: In personal situations, such as making new acquaintances, hiding your number can be prudent.
• Dodging Unwanted Calls: A frequent use of *67 is to block spam or other undesirable calls.
• Telemarketers: Employing *67 can deter telemarketers from repeatedly contacting you, as they cannot identify your caller ID.
• Spam Calls: Shield yourself from spam calls and potential scams by blocking your caller ID when dialing unknown numbers.

Is *67 Still Effective for Anonymous Calls Today?

Star 67 remains an active feature on many mobile and landline networks. However, its availability varies based on your specific phone service provider and geographical location.

To check if *67 works on your device, you can:

• Get in Touch with Your Provider: Reach out to your phone service provider’s customer support or look through their provided information to see if *67 is still a feature they support.
• Try It Out: Another way to see if *67 works is by making a call using the feature and checking if your caller ID is successfully hidden.

How Do You Use *67 on Android Phones?

Using *67 on Android devices is a straightforward process.

1. Open Phone App: Tap on the “Phone” icon on your device’s home screen.
2. Access Settings: Look for the phone’s search bar. Near the dropdown options, tap on three dots.
3. Select Preferences: From the opened menu, pick “Preferences.”
4. Navigate to Calls: Then, choose “Calls.”
5. Additional Settings: Go to “Additional configuration options.”
6. Caller ID Options: Find and select “Caller ID.”
7. Conceal Your Number: Finally, opt to hide your number, thereby masking your caller ID during calls.

Steps for Using *67 on iPhones and iOS Devices

iPhone users can also hide their caller ID using *67.

1. Go to Settings: From the home screen, tap on “Settings” to enter iPhone settings.
2. Find Phone Settings: Scroll to find “Phone.”
3. Caller ID Settings: Search for “Show My Caller ID” under the “Calls” section.
4. Disable Caller ID: Make sure the “Show My Caller ID” toggle is off (typically shown in white). This will change your outgoing calls to show “No Caller ID.”

How to Block *67 Calls on iPhones

You might want to block incoming calls from numbers that use *67.

• Enable Do Not Disturb: In your iPhone settings, turn on the Do Not Disturb function. This can mute calls from unknown or hidden numbers.
• Create a Blocked Contact: Add a new contact with the number “000-000-0000” and name it “No Caller ID.” Blocking this contact can help prevent such calls.
• Use Network-Level Blocking: Some cellular service providers offer options to block calls without caller ID. Check if your provider offers this service.

Blocking Unwanted Calls on Android Devices

Android also provides ways to block unwanted calls, including those hiding behind *67:

• Access Phone App Settings: Tap on the phone icon, find the three-dot menu, and select “Settings.”
• Blocking Feature: Look for the “Block numbers” option and activate it to block calls from unknown numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is *67 Universal Across All Phone Systems? 

No, *67’s availability depends on your service provider and your location. Always check with your provider for confirmation.

Can Both Android and iPhone Users Access *67? 

Typically, both Android and iPhone users can use *67 to hide their caller ID.

Does *67 Completely Shield My Identity? 

Although *67 hides your caller ID from the call recipient, it might not totally obscure your identity from your service provider or under certain legal circumstances.

Are There Legal Limits to Using *67? 

Using *67 for privacy is generally permissible. However, employing it for fraudulent or harmful purposes could be illegal.

Conclusion

In today’s privacy-conscious world, 67 stands as a valuable tool for obscuring caller ID and safeguarding personal information.

Nonetheless, as technology evolves and privacy concerns grow, staying informed about alternative methods and best practices for maintaining privacy is essential. Will newer technologies eventually supplant the use of 67?