No Caller ID vs. Unknown Caller: What you need to know

Unexpected calls can spark a mix of worry and curiosity, leaving you wondering if it’s an important appointment, a scam, or something else. Since around 28% of anonymous calls are spam or fraud, it’s no wonder you may hesitate to answer when you see No Caller ID or Unknown Caller pop up on your phone.

Read on to learn the differences between No Caller ID and Unknown Caller, and find out how to block No Caller ID numbers.

What does No Caller ID mean?

When you receive an incoming call labeled No Caller ID or Private Number, it generally means that the caller has deliberately masked their phone number for anonymity. While these calls may be legitimate, scammers also use this feature to avoid detection.

Here are a few reasons individuals or businesses may choose to enable No Caller ID on their calls:

• To remain private: Some callers may have personal reasons for using the No Caller ID feature. Many people value their privacy, and they may choose to remain confidential when making certain calls.
• To prevent return calls: Some legitimate companies hide their caller ID to prevent people from calling back. For example, healthcare providers offering telemedicine consultations might hide their caller ID to protect the privacy of the doctor.
• To carry out spam or scam calls: In many cases, telemarketers, robocallers, prank callers, and scammers will use No Caller ID to evade detection. With cell phone providers now labeling “Scam Likely” calls, scammers may opt for No Caller ID to increase the chances of recipients answering.

What does Unknown Caller mean?

If you get a call labeled Unknown Caller, it means your cell provider is unable to identify the caller for technical reasons. This doesn’t necessarily mean the call is suspicious — it could still be from someone in your contact list or a legitimate source.

Here are a few reasons the label Unknown Caller can appear on your phone:

• Network issues: Glitches or other problems with the network can prevent caller ID information from reaching your device.
• International calling: Differences in telecommunications systems between countries can cause the Unknown Caller label to appear.
• Call filtering bug: In some cases, your carrier’s call filtering system can cause issues with displaying caller ID information.

What’s the difference between No Caller ID and Unknown Caller?

The main difference between No Caller ID and Unknown Caller is the reason why the number isn’t displayed. The chart below helps break down the key differences.

Should you answer No Caller ID or Unknown Caller phone calls?

You should only answer phone calls displaying No Caller ID if you’re expecting someone to contact you.

For example, if you’re awaiting news about a loved one who’s sick, you might get a heads-up to expect a call from an unknown number. Or, you may be waiting to hear back about a job interview. In these cases, take the call.

If you get a phone call labeled Unknown Caller and are waiting for a call, it might be worth answering. Calls labelled Unknown Caller are typically less risky than No Caller ID and could simply be a friend who’s experiencing network issues. If you’re unsure, let the call go to voicemail and screen the message.

Why you might not want to pick up the phone

In most other situations, it’s best not to answer these calls. Here are a few reasons it's generally a bad idea to answer a call from a hidden number:

• Answering signals your number is active: If you answer a call from a robocaller, scammer, or telemarketer, it confirms your number is active. This could lead to more unwanted calls or even your number being sold to others. One Reddit user shared that after answering a No Caller ID call, they began getting repeat calls where no one spoke. This is likely a tactic to find active numbers.

• Scammers could record your voice for fraud: If you answer a call from a criminal, they may record your voice. For example, if you answer a call and you’re recorded saying “yes,” this soundbite could be edited and used to commit identity theft. Fraudsters could open accounts in your name or falsely claim you agreed to a large purchase.

• The call could be a phishing scam: The caller could be vishing (voice phishing). Fraudsters often pose as fake charities, banks, or law enforcement over the phone to steal your personal information and scam you out of money. In 2023 alone, Americans collectively lost a staggering $25.4 billion to phone scams, according to a report from Truecaller Insights.

How to block No Caller ID and Unknown Caller phone calls

If you’re tired of getting anonymous calls, you can adjust the settings on your phone. Your options will depend on the type of phone you have. Here’s how you can manage these calls on an iPhone and Android:

On iPhone

While you can’t completely block unknown calls on an iPhone, you can silence them to avoid interruptions and reduce the chances of picking them up. These calls will go straight to voicemail and still appear in your Recent Calls list.

Here’s how to enable this feature:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Phone.
3. Scroll down and click Silence Unknown Callers.
4. Toggle the switch to turn it on.

On Android

Android users can block unknown callers entirely. When an unknown number tries to reach you, your phone automatically declines the call.

Here’s how to enable this feature:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the three dots at the top right of the screen.
3. Tap on Settings, then Block numbers.
4. Toggle the switch next to Block calls from unknown numbers to turn it on.

Other ways to deal with anonymous calls

Some people may not want to block or silence anonymous calls for fear of missing something important. Here are some alternative tips for managing these calls:

Let them go to voicemail

A legitimate caller who needs to reach you will leave a message. Just make sure there’s room for it in your voicemail box so nothing slips through the cracks.

Use caution when answering

If you’re expecting an important call from an unidentified number and need to answer it, keep your guard up and remember to safeguard your personal information. Even when calls aren’t anonymous, use caution — scammers can use caller ID spoofing to impersonate legitimate numbers.

In a recent case in Indiana, scammers were able to spoof a county sheriff’s office, making their caller ID display the sheriff’s official main line. The scammers falsely claimed the victims had missed a court date and that a warrant had been issued for their arrest. Fortunately, some victims were suspicious enough to contact the court to verify the claim, which confirmed it was a scam.

Reach out to your cell phone carrier

If you receive a crazy amount of spam calls, report the problem to your cell phone provider. In some cases, they may help you set up call filtering or spam alerts, or other tools to help reduce the amount of unwanted calls you receive.

Help protect your phone against threats

Dealing with No Caller ID or Unknown Caller calls can be frustrating — and even dangerous. Protecting yourself starts with awareness, but it doesn’t end there. Norton 360 Deluxe includes an AI-powered scam-detection engine to help you identify scam attacks and avoid falling victim.

Plus, it has built-in features like Privacy Monitor and Dark Web Monitoring^§ to scan the internet and dark web and notify you if your phone number is found — which may be why you're getting scam calls in the first place. Get Norton today to help safeguard your phone and protect your digital life.

FAQs

Is *67 No Caller ID?

Yes, if someone dials *67 before making a call, it will appear as No Caller ID.

Can you call back No Caller ID numbers?

Yes, in some cases, dialing *69 immediately after a call allows you to return the last incoming call, even if it was anonymous. However, doing so is not always a good idea since you could alert scammers that your number is active.

How do you tell if a No Caller ID call is from someone in your contacts?

A No Caller ID call could be from someone in your contacts, but there’s no guaranteed way to tell unless you use *69 to identify the caller. Someone in your contacts list will usually appear as “Unknown Caller” if the number isn’t displayed, unless they actively want to hide their number from you.

How do you see who called you on No Caller ID?

Dial *69 to activate the last-call return service. The automated recording will provide the last number that called you, if available.

Why am I getting anonymous phone calls?

You’re likely getting anonymous calls from scammers, robocallers, or telemarketers. These may have increased if you’ve answered a scam call before, confirming your number is active. Your number might also be leaked on the dark web, where bad actors can share or sell it. Look for a security tool that comes with dark web monitoring to scan the dark web and alert you if your personal information has been exposed.