To make your cell phone number private, dial *67 before each call to block your caller ID temporarily, or contact your carrier to enable permanent per-line blocking. For ongoing privacy, use a secondary VoIP number from a budget provider and register your primary number on the National Do Not Call Registry at DoNotCall.gov.
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The quickest way to keep your phone number private on a per-call basis is to dial *67 before the number you are calling. This sends a signal to the receiving carrier to suppress your caller ID. It works on most landlines and mobile networks in the U.S. and costs nothing extra. Note that *67 does not work for toll-free numbers (800, 888, etc.) or emergency services (911). The feature is regulated under FCC rules for per-line blocking.
For a permanent solution, you will need to contact your carrier to enable default caller ID blocking on your line. Some budget providers allow this through their online account settings, while major national carriers may require a phone call. Once enabled, your number will appear as “Private” or “Blocked” on every outgoing call unless you dial *82 to unblock it for a specific call.
Enable Permanent Caller ID Blocking
If you want your number hidden on every call without remembering *67, request permanent caller ID blocking from your wireless provider. The process varies: some major carriers offer a simple toggle in your account dashboard under “Privacy Settings,” while others require a customer service request. There is typically no monthly fee for this feature. Once activated, your outgoing calls will show “Private Number” or “Anonymous.”
Be aware that permanent blocking may interfere with certain services—such as when calling banks, pharmacies, or businesses that rely on caller ID for verification. In those cases, you can temporarily unblock by dialing *82 before the number. Federal law (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) does not require carriers to offer permanent blocking, but all four nationwide networks do as a courtesy.
| Method | Cost | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| *67 before each call | Free | Blocks one call |
| Permanent carrier blocking | Free (may require activation call) | Blocks all calls until *82 is used |
| Third‑party app (e.g., burner number) | $3–$10/month | Provides a separate private number |
Register on the Do Not Call List
To reduce telemarketing calls to your private number, register your cell phone on the National Do Not Call Registry at DoNotCall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222. As of 2025, over 249 million numbers were on the list. Registration is free and permanent—you never need to renew. Telemarketers are required by law to scrub their calling lists against this registry every 31 days. However, the registry does not block political calls, charities, or surveyors. For robocall protection, combine registration with your carrier’s built‑in spam filter, which uses the STIR/SHAKEN protocol to authenticate calls.
The FCC reported in 2025 that 63% of wireless subscribers still receive unwanted calls, so the registry is not a complete shield. Use it alongside caller ID blocking for stronger privacy.
Get a Secondary Number for Privacy
One of the most effective long‑term strategies is to obtain a secondary phone number that you use for online accounts, shopping, and public listings. Budget providers offer VoIP numbers for as little as $3 to $10 per month. These numbers are not tied to your primary cellular line, so they keep your real number hidden. You can forward calls to your main phone or use the provider’s app to receive calls and texts on a separate virtual line.
When signing up for services, give the secondary number instead of your personal cell. If that number gets flooded with spam, you can simply discard it and get a new one—your primary number stays clean. This approach also protects you from data broker aggregations that scrape public records and online forms.
- Choose a budget provider that offers number portability and call forwarding.
- Use the secondary number for all non‑essential contacts: deliveries, subscriptions, classified ads.
- Keep your primary number only for family, close friends, and critical accounts.
Opt Out of Data Broker Directories
Even if you block caller ID and use a secondary number, your primary cell number may still appear in public directories sold by data brokers. These companies compile phone numbers from public records, online forms, and marketing databases. To remove your number, visit the opt‑out pages of major data brokers such as Spokeo, Whitepages, and Intelius. The process often requires submitting a request with your phone number and email; removal can take a few days.
For a more comprehensive solution, use a paid data‑removal service that automates opt‑outs across dozens of brokers. Prices range from $10 to $30 per month. The FCC has proposed rules requiring data brokers to obtain explicit consent before selling phone numbers, but as of 2026, no federal law mandates this. Until then, manual opt‑out remains the most reliable method.