5 Definitive Ways To Dial Private In The USA (*67 And Permanent Methods) - Updated For 2025

Are you looking for the fastest and most reliable way to hide your phone number when making a call in the United States? As of today, December 10, 2025, the classic "star code" method remains the most effective and widely accepted technique for per-call blocking, but modern smartphones also offer permanent settings that save you time. Understanding how to execute a private call (or como marcar privado en usa) is crucial for privacy, especially when contacting new business leads, medical offices, or anyone you don't wish to share your personal number with. However, you must also be aware of the counter-measures and legal limitations to ensure your call actually goes through.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the simple codes and the specific settings you need to activate on both iPhone and Android devices, giving you complete control over your Caller ID. We'll also dive into the technical details, like the role of the CNAM database and the existence of Anonymous Call Rejection services, which are critical entities for anyone seeking true call privacy in the US telecommunications landscape.

The Essential Star Code: How to Block Your Number Per-Call

The easiest and most universal method for making a private call in the US is by dialing a simple four-character prefix before the recipient's number. This technique works across nearly all major carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and landlines, making it the go-to solution for a quick, one-time private call.

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Method 1: The Universal *67 Code (Per-Call Blocking)

The \*67 code is the default service code for per-call Caller ID blocking across the vast majority of US telephone service providers.

• How to Use It: Simply dial *67, followed immediately by the 10-digit phone number you wish to call.
• Example: To call (555) 123-4567 privately, you would dial *675551234567.
• What the Recipient Sees: The call recipient’s phone will display "Private Number," "Blocked," "Unknown Caller," or "Anonymous."
• Key Feature: This method is non-permanent. Your Caller ID will only be blocked for that single call. All subsequent calls will revert to showing your number unless you dial *67 again.

Method 2: The International #31# Code (For Contrast and Specific Carriers)

While \*67 is the US standard, some international systems and older GSM networks use a different code, which may occasionally work on US mobile carriers. This code is #31#. While less reliable than *67 in the US, it's worth knowing for maximum topical authority.

• How to Use It: Dial #31#, followed by the number.
• Note: In the US, the *67 star code is the standard. Use #31# only if *67 fails, as its effectiveness is carrier- and device-dependent in North America.

Permanent Caller ID Blocking: iPhone vs. Android

If you need to make private calls frequently, manually dialing \*67 every time can be tedious. Fortunately, modern smartphones offer a permanent setting to hide your number for all outgoing calls until you manually turn it back on. This is a crucial feature for anyone prioritizing long-term privacy.

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Method 3: Permanent Blocking on iPhone (iOS)

Apple's iOS makes permanent blocking a simple toggle switch within the device's main settings menu.

1. Go to your iPhone's Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap on Phone.
3. Tap on Show My Caller ID.
4. Toggle the switch to the OFF position.

Once disabled, your number will be blocked for every call you make. To show your number for a single call while the setting is off, you can dial \*82 before the number (the reverse of *67, which forces your ID to be shown, though this is not supported by all carriers).

Method 4: Permanent Blocking on Android Devices

Due to the variety of Android manufacturers (Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, etc.), the exact menu names can vary slightly, but the path is generally the same across all recent versions.

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1. Open the Phone or Dialer app.
2. Tap the Menu icon (usually three vertical dots or a gear icon) in the corner.
3. Go to Settings or Call Settings.
4. Look for Supplementary Services, More Settings, or Additional Settings.
5. Tap on Caller ID or Show My Caller ID.
6. Select the option Hide Number.

Selecting "Hide Number" will set your phone to block your Caller ID by default for all outgoing calls. You can reverse this by selecting "Show Number" or "Network Default" in the same menu.

The Modern Challenge: Anonymous Call Rejection and CNAM

In the current telecommunications environment, making a private call is not a guarantee that the call will be answered. Two major entities work against private calls, often for good reason: Anonymous Call Rejection and the CNAM Database.

Understanding Anonymous Call Rejection (ACR)

Many individuals and businesses subscribe to a service called Anonymous Call Rejection (ACR), offered by major providers like AT&T, Xfinity, Cox, and CenturyLink.

• What it is: ACR is a feature that automatically rejects any incoming call where the Caller ID is blocked, anonymous, or unknown.
• The Result: If the person you are calling has ACR enabled, your private call (made with *67 or a permanent setting) will not ring their phone; they will simply hear a message informing them that the caller must unblock their number.
• Why it Exists: ACR is a popular tool to combat telemarketing, scam calls, and illegal robocalls, which often use blocked or spoofed numbers to avoid detection.

The Role of the CNAM Database

The Caller ID Name (CNAM) database is a critical piece of the US telecom infrastructure that provides the name associated with a phone number.

• How it Works: When you make a call, your carrier sends your number to the recipient's carrier. The recipient's carrier performs a CNAM lookup in the database to display your name (e.g., "JOHN DOE") alongside your number.
• When You Block: When you use *67, your carrier withholds your number information. This prevents the receiving carrier from performing the CNAM lookup, resulting in the generic "UNKNOWN" or "ANONYMOUS" display.
• Impact: Because over 70% of consumers avoid answering calls from unknown numbers, using a private number can significantly decrease the chance of your call being answered.

Legal and Ethical Considerations for Private Calling

While blocking your Caller ID is a legal right in the US, there are important exceptions and ethical guidelines you must follow, especially in light of recent regulations from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Method 5: Know the FCC Exceptions and Rules

The FCC's rules, mandated by the Truth in Caller ID Act, ensure that consumers have the right to block their Caller ID, but they also set limits to protect public safety and prevent fraud.

• Emergency Services (911): You cannot block your number when calling 911 or other emergency services. Your number is automatically transmitted to the operator, regardless of whether you dial *67.
• Toll-Free Numbers: You cannot block your number when calling 800, 888, or other toll-free numbers. These systems are designed to bypass Caller ID blocking.
• Business Use: While not illegal, using a private number for business or official communication is highly discouraged and can be seen as unprofessional. The FCC is actively implementing new rules (some in effect for 2025) to help carriers better identify and block illegal robocalls and spoofed numbers, which may affect how private calls are handled.
• Per-Line Blocking: The FCC requires telephone companies to offer simple and uniform per-line blocking and unblocking processes, reinforcing the consumer's right to privacy.

Ultimately, knowing como marcar privado en usa is simple—use \*67. However, true effectiveness in 2025 requires understanding the technical landscape of ACR and CNAM, and knowing when the law requires you to show your number.