There are more and more unwanted calls from unknown or hidden numbers. Many people don’t like this because they can’t find out who is calling. Callers hide their identity for various reasons: just to fool around, apply psychological pressure, sell something, “con”, etc. But time moves forward, and with it technology.
There are methods by which you can actually identify the caller’s number, even if it is hidden. When choosing an option, you need to understand why you need this knowledge. However, most of the methods are paid.
How to find out a hidden phone number
When unknown people continue to call, at any time of the day, the most logical thing to do is contact your operator to activate the SON (super caller ID) service. This tool identifies any calls, even if an anti-identifier is connected on the other side. Each operator has its own price for the service.
On MTS
Connection methods:
- in your personal account on the official website. This can also be done through the “My MTS” application, in the “Services” section. There is an option “Caller ID”, which needs to be activated;
- by sending a USSD command. To do this, dial “*111*44#” (without quotes) on your phone and press “Call”;
- by sending an SMS to number 111 with the text 2113 .
The service is activated free of charge, but 6.50 rubles will be debited from the subscriber’s account daily.
On Beeline
The company is one of the four largest telecom operators in the Russian Federation. The SON service is provided free of charge and is usually activated automatically after installing a SIM card. If this does not happen, you can connect it:
- dialing from the phone 067409061;
- USSD command «*110*061#».
As a result, the subscriber will see who is calling him, even if the caller does it incognito.
To MegaFon
This telecom operator also provides such a service, which can even bypass the anti-identifier. SON works effectively within a home network, but if a person calls from another operator, 100% detection is not guaranteed.
Methods for connecting to the service:
- USSD command «*502#»;
- send an SMS to number 5502 , without text (blank). You will receive a response message asking you to confirm the connection to the service - just follow the instructions.
The cost of connection is free, but every month 1,500 rubles will be debited from the account. If there is no money on your balance, the service will automatically turn off.
On Tele2
The operator calls this . It works on all tariffs, and to activate it, just dial the USSD command «*210*1#».
Terms of use:
- 6 rubles per day;
- the first connection is free, subsequent ones – 100 rubles;
- prices depend on the region, so it is better to check this information on the operator’s hotline.
To disable SON, enter the command «*210*0#».
We identify the caller via instant messengers
Well-known instant messengers such as Viber, WhatsApp and Telegram are excellent tools to find out who called a phone number. The reason for this is the popularity of applications, today they are used by a huge number of people around the world.
All messengers have default settings that allow any user to view the uploaded avatar, as well as the profile data that the owner of the number indicates about himself. And although you can check a box in the settings so that information about you is visible only to the list of your contacts, few people know about this and use this function. Therefore, most often this method is the most effective and provides the necessary information.
So, to “break through” a person through instant messengers, do the following:
- Add an unknown number to your smartphone's phone book.
- In the settings, select the “Accounts and synchronization” section, then add Viber, WhatsApp and Telegram, as well as other applications as desired.
- After synchronization, the selected programs will have access to the phone book, and you will be able to search for the desired contact.
The obvious advantage of this method is that the owner of the number will not know that they were looking for him. As a result, you will receive a photo of the caller, as well as his name indicated in the profile. If you want to find out more information about the person you found, you can use image search in Yandex or similar applications that allow you to search for people by photo.
Operator tariffs for SON services (super caller ID)
| Mobile operator | Service cost | To plug | Disable |
| MTS | 6.5 rub./day connection – 2000 | *111*007#) | *111*007#) |
| Beeline | 5 RUR/day connection – 0 | *110*4161#) | *110*4160#) |
| Megaphone | 1500 rub. per month connection | *502#) | *502*4#) |
| Tele 2 | 6 RUR/day connection – 0 | *210*1#) | *210*0#) |
Checking through the ad site (Avito)
Another effective way to “get through” a person by phone number is to look for information about him in advertisements on Avito. Most of us have used this site to sell items that we no longer need. At the same time, the resource shows information not only about active advertisements posted by the user on the site, but also about completed sales. In addition, you can see the name of the owner of the number, as well as the approximate area of the city from where it is proposed to pick up the displayed goods. Most often, this location coincides with the user's work or home address.
So, to search by phone number on a well-known ad platform, there is a special service called “Avita mirror”. To find a person using it, follow these steps:
- Go to the service website: mirror.bullshit.agency/search_by_phone. If the browser does not open the link, use any VPN program that changes the IP address of your computer. More detailed information about VPNs can be found in the article on our website about VPNs.
- In the “Number” column, indicate the phone number you need to find.
- Click on the “Search in advertisements on Avita” button.
- Study the results.
The service should return all active and completed sales listings associated with the specified number. At the same time, I noticed that the service does not always work accurately. Having several closed transactions on Avito, I did not find any information about them using my number. However, after I entered my friend’s number into the search window, the service correctly showed all the advertisements she posted on the site (including completed ones).
And although this method of punching a number does not always give a 100% result, I still recommend considering it as one of the possible tools for searching for information.
How can I hide my phone number?
Many people don’t even understand why they should hide it, because they have nothing to worry about. But there are different situations in life, and sometimes it is necessary. This can be done in different ways: by connecting to the operator’s service, installing a special application, or through the phone settings.
On Android OS (version 6.0 and later), the sequence of actions is as follows: “Settings” – “Advanced settings” – “Hidden numbers” .
On iOS (Apple brand smartphones): “Settings” – “Phone” – “Display number” . To disable the option, just move the slider to the inactive state. On both OSes, the device will need to be rebooted for the changes to take effect.
Another way is to use:
- MTS. USSD command “*111*46#”;
- Megaphone. *221#";
- Beeline. *110*071#". Or by dialing 067409071;
- Tele 2. *117*1#".
Summary
You can determine a hidden number using paid options of operators, call details or third-party applications. Among the disadvantages of the available solutions, it is worth highlighting:
- High cost of operator options for identifying hidden numbers;
- Details will show the hidden number only after answering the incoming call;
- Third-party applications will not show the hidden number, but will help fight spam and scammers calling from numbers you don’t recognize.
If the annoying calls don't stop and start to scare you, contact the police. They will definitely help you, and the attacker will be found and punished.
How to check an unknown number
Mobile communications are a convenient tool of the 21st century, but there are a number of people who use it for fraudulent purposes. Let’s say that in order to sell something, you don’t need to go door to door, you just need to take a database of numbers and start calling them. You can use several methods to verify calls.
Through search engines
To check a number you don’t know, just enter it in a Yandex or Google search - you’ll get the information instantly. As a rule, companies and firms call and impose something, let’s say a “profitable” product. Nobody likes such people, and their contacts quickly spread across the Internet so that other users remain vigilant.
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 calls from hidden numbers
As is clear from the article, keeping contact information secret is not a problem. Many users, seeing “Number hidden” on the screen, are in no hurry to pick up the phone. Actions are prudent, but not always justified.
Typically, the hiding service is used by companies that use purchased databases of potential customer numbers. They need this to maintain confidentiality. And no one will call back, because the number is unknown. Often, microfinance organizations use secret numbers to put pressure on the debtor, as well as scammers who want to offer something profitable under the guise of the same Sberbank.
What to do if the calls don't stop
Sometimes a person calling from an unknown number can be very persistent. Such zeal can be shown by collectors, scammers, or people who have some kind of personal score against you.
Regardless of the reason for the intrusive calls, you can solve the problem with them once and for all by going to court. Such behavior is considered harassment and is criminally punishable.
Record all calls in the detail statement. Answer calls within a few seconds for them to start showing up in your lists. And after you have the details with the necessary information in your hands, go to the police to write a statement against the attacker.
If you don't know what number you're calling from, the police can help you identify the caller. Also, the accused will soon be called in for questioning about why he won't leave you alone.
When contacting the police, do not worry or be afraid. Make every effort to ensure that the attacker is punished, because the truth is on your side.
