Every year the flow of unwanted calls from unknown numbers increases. This situation is annoying and inconvenient for the user, because it is impossible to determine who exactly is trying to get in touch. The reasons why a caller tries to hide his identity can be very diverse, from a harmless prank to attempts to exert psychological pressure in this way. Fortunately, modern methods make it possible to identify a bully and determine his phone number. The choice of the optimal option depends on the ultimate goal of the affected subscriber and his financial capabilities, since in some cases the service will have to be paid for.
What does a hidden number on a phone mean?
Everyone is accustomed to the fact that if a mobile phone rings, you can find out who is trying to get in touch in advance.
This is due to the fact that any cellular operator provides its customers with a number identification service, and does it free of charge without the need for additional connection and configuration. The only exception is Tele2, which limits the use of the identifier on some archived tariffs when the number has a negative balance. However, more and more often situations arise when, during an incoming call, the message “Number not identified” (“Number hidden”) appears on the smartphone screen.
It is typical for most owners of mobile gadgets, who, intuitively assuming evil, are at a loss as to why the call initiator should hide his identity and phone number. Meanwhile, the caller, for some reason, seeks to remain anonymous.
Anyone who uses a special service from their cellular company - caller ID can do this today. Depending on the purpose, he can do this accidentally or intentionally, but to find out who called, the subscriber will have to pick up the phone.
Anonymous calls are usually made by representatives of various companies, often for monitoring or advertising purposes, and less often by hooligans. But, ignoring the persistent trills of the phone, there is a chance of missing an important call.
Fortunately, these days you don't need to be a super agent to identify an anonymous caller. There are several ways to do this quickly and efficiently.
How to see a hidden phone number using details
The easiest and most reliable way to identify the caller and declassify his number is to order call details. Any operator provides such an opportunity, and you can use it in a communication shop or on the official website.
In the first case, you should contact the nearest mobile phone provider office and request a detailed printout of statistical data.
In the second, you will need to register in your personal account and order the relevant information there. To get results as quickly as possible, you need to try to remember the date and time when an anonymous call was received on your mobile phone. Usually information is processed within 24 hours after the request.
The resulting printout will indicate not only all incoming numbers, but also calls made by the subscriber personally. Depending on the operator, the service can be provided either free of charge or for a low fee.
Method number 4. Contacting the operator or law enforcement agencies
Be that as it may, the operator definitely has the number that you displayed as unknown. And to find out, you need to order call details. This is a simple list of all telephone numbers that called you, printed on A4 paper.
It would seem like nothing special, but this list shows absolutely all numbers, including unknown ones.
If this cannot be done, you will have to go directly to the administrator or simply a representative of the operator and tell him that you want to find out who called you. This is only possible under certain circumstances.
On the other hand, if there are threats, it is better to immediately go to law enforcement agencies.
Interestingly, due to the recently adopted Yarovaya laws in Russia, all telephone conversations are recorded. Therefore, a telecom operator employee may well find your conversation and provide the recording to the police.
Remember! If you receive threats, it is better to immediately contact the police.
Choose the method that will be more accessible to you.
How to find a hidden phone number using an operator service
If unknown people continue to call, and do this persistently and at any time of the day, it is advisable to contact your operator to connect to the so-called Super Caller ID - super caller ID. This allows you to identify any call, even if a Caller ID (anti-identifier) is installed on the other side. Each company sets its own prices for such a service, however, after connecting, the subscriber will be able to see absolutely all incoming numbers.
Beeline
The well-known cellular company, one of the four largest Russian telecom operators, provides it to all its subscribers free of charge. For most tariffs it is connected automatically when the SIM card is activated.
Otherwise, you can get the super identifier service in two ways:
- By calling the number 067409061;
- By sending the USSD command *110*061#call.
As a result, the subscriber gets the opportunity to:
- see the name and number of the caller on the phone screen, even if he tries to remain incognito;
- set an individual ringtone after adding a contact to your address book;
- receive information about incoming calls and call back, answering missed calls.
MTS
You can also order from the mobile operator MTS. For the convenience of customers, the company allows you to connect in several ways:
- Through "Personal Account". To do this, on the official website or in the “My MTS” application, you will need to go to the “Services” section and move the slider to the right opposite the “Caller ID” option.
- Through MTS service. Send the USSD command *111*44# and press the call key.
- Through the SMS assistant. To do this, you need to send an SMS to number 111 with the text 2113.
Activation of the service is provided free of charge, the fee for daily use is 6.50, with the exception of several tariff plans. For such users, the cost will be 33.9 rubles, and the monthly fee will be 67.7 rubles. Moreover, correct operation is guaranteed when calls are made within the MTS home network area.
Megaphone
This operator, like other mobile communication companies, allows you to declassify information about the caller that is hidden by the anti-identifier service. It is available to all network subscribers and is guaranteed to show numbers within the home network, but is not 100% capable of identifying the phone numbers of clients of other operators.
To connect to the service, you can use the following methods:
- dial the USSD command *502# and press the call key;
- send an empty SMS to number 5502. When you receive a reply SMS asking you to confirm your intention, you will need to follow the prompts on the phone screen.
it is connected for free, but for its use the subscriber is charged a monthly fee of 1,500 rubles. If there are insufficient funds in the account, the service is automatically blocked and restored after the balance is replenished.
Tele 2
This operator’s service has a non-standard name - “Identifier of intentionally hidden numbers” and is available on all tariffs. Activation is performed independently by sending the USSD command *210*1#.
Conditions:
- For daily use, the subscriber is charged a fee of 6 rubles.
- The first connection is free, all subsequent connections will cost 100 rubles.
- But since prices may vary depending on the region, it is advisable to check the cost by calling the operator’s hot number or in a Tele2 communication store.
- When the need to use “Anti-Caller ID” disappears, you can disable it by sending a request *210*0#.
The service works correctly only when the number within the home network is declassified. 100% identification of subscriber phones of other operators is not guaranteed.
other methods
The Google Play store has a number of applications that allow you to identify and even block incoming calls from unknown persons. An example of such an application is Whoscall.
The service is extremely popular - more than 50 million downloads. The functionality is implemented as succinctly as possible. The application recognizes hidden numbers and blocks annoying spam and telemarketing.
Whoscall works using network technology, with more than 1 billion numbers in its database. The application matches the caller with its database of verified users and gives you information about the caller. Useful service functions:
- Block numbers starting with certain numbers - for example, the number 7 or 380. Allows you to block intrusive calls from abroad.
- Blocking all private and national numbers.
- Block calls from any callers not included in your contact list.
- Blocking advertising messages based on certain criteria (words or phrases).
- Blocking a number specified manually.
This solution works great if your goal is to block callers who call you from unknown numbers without caller ID. The application is relevant in situations where annoying calls come from different subscribers, but from the same region or country (for example, from Germany). In this case, using a simple filter, you can protect yourself from unwanted conversations.
Who can call from hidden numbers
Nowadays, every mobile subscriber is able to keep their phone number secret.
and is provided by cellular network providers. Fearing fraudulent activity, many subscribers try not to answer the call when they see the “Number hidden” message. Such prudence, of course, helps to avoid unpleasant consequences, but is not always justified. Today, companies that monitor a database of potential customer numbers use it. They hide numbers to maintain privacy and to prevent people from calling back. It is not difficult to determine that the call is coming from them. Since special software is used to perform such tasks, after the answer the connection is interrupted, and the subscriber hears first silence on the handset, and then beeps.
Often, secret numbers are used by microfinance organizations or collectors who call debtors who refuse to fulfill the obligations specified in the agreement. Since the caller's phone number is not detected, it cannot be blacklisted. He also uses a hidden number as a tool of psychological pressure.
Another category that uses this is telephone hooligans (spammers) and scammers. The first ones call out of boredom, choosing numbers in random order.
The latter pursue criminal goals: under the guise of employees of banking institutions, they receive passwords from subscribers for personal accounts, account numbers and plastic cards. You can declassify them using the methods described above or using third-party applications.
Why shouldn't you call back?
Don't rush to call back! Most often, these are scammers. And the return call will debit funds from your account to the account of this scammer.
It is important for attackers that the person does not answer their call, but calls them back himself. They enter into an agreement with a cellular operator, according to which the incoming call is paid for by the caller. Moreover, the payment is not according to the operator’s tariff, but much higher. And this money goes to the subscriber’s account.
If you do decide to call back, be prepared that there will be silence on the receiver after the connection. And at this time, funds will be debited from your balance. Some scammers have gone even further. Money is withdrawn immediately after dialing, during the waiting beeps. In this case, the scammers will delay the call time.
According to the law, everything is clear. The person calls back himself, without coercion. Therefore, it is recommended to be careful and not call back unknown numbers.
How to hide your phone number
People who have nothing to hide make hundreds of calls without fear that their number will be displayed on the interlocutor’s phone screen. However, situations may arise in life when it is simply necessary to remain anonymous. Today there are several ways to hide your phone number. These include the services of cellular operators (paid and not), applications, and operating system functions. Depending on the selected option, an algorithm of actions is determined.
| Way | Procedure |
| Using built-in tools | To activate the “Anti-determinant” option you must: For Android (version 6.0 and higher). “Phone” → “Properties” or “Settings” → “Advanced settings” → “Hide number” On iPhone. “Settings”→ “Phone”→ “Display number” (move the slider to the left to disable the option). In both cases, you should restart the device |
| Through different mobile operators | MTS. Activate the option through your personal account or send the USSD command *111*46#call. Megaphone. Dial *221# or use your personal account. Beeline. Call the number 067409071, send the command *110*071# or activate the option through the “Personal Account”. Tele 2. Via the command *117*1# or using the “My Services” section in your personal account. |
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