The process of placing a telephone call while withholding the caller’s identifying information from the recipient is achievable through several methods. A common technique involves dialing a specific prefix before the intended phone number, thereby preventing the display of the originating number on the recipient’s caller ID. For example, prepending “*67” to the number dialed on a North American landline typically blocks caller ID transmission. This functionality might also be accessible through a mobile phone’s settings menu, allowing users to activate a general restriction on outbound caller ID for all calls, or on a call-by-call basis.
The ability to withhold one’s number during a phone call offers several advantages, enhancing privacy and facilitating certain types of communication. It allows individuals to maintain anonymity when contacting businesses or unfamiliar parties, minimizing the potential for unwanted follow-up calls or data collection. Historically, this feature has been utilized by journalists seeking information, law enforcement conducting investigations, and individuals requiring confidentiality in sensitive situations. The existence of this function underscores the recognition of a need for control over the dissemination of personal information during telephone communications.