Block Phone Number 67: Why Your Privacy Shield Might Be Broken

You've probably been there. You’re sitting at dinner, your phone buzzes, and the screen just says "Private Caller" or "Restricted." It’s annoying. Most people think they can just block phone number 67 or stop these calls by tweaking a few settings in their iPhone or Android menus. Honestly? It’s rarely that simple. The "67" prefix, better known as *67, is a relic of the landline era that has clawed its way into the digital age, and blocking it requires a bit more nuance than just hitting a red button.

If you grew up in the 90s, *67 was the ultimate prank call tool. It’s a vertical service code. You dial it before the number, and poof—your caller ID is masked. But in 2026, where robocalls are driven by AI and sophisticated spoofing, the way we handle these "anonymous" entries has changed significantly.

The Frustrating Reality of the *67 Prefix

Let’s get one thing straight: you can't actually "block" a number that is literally just two digits. When someone uses *67, they aren't calling from the number "67." They are using a command to tell the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) servers to withhold their specific digits from your display.

It's a privacy feature. It's also a harasser's best friend.

Federal law in the United States, specifically under the FCC’s rules, actually requires carriers to provide a way for people to hide their caller ID for privacy reasons. Think about doctors calling patients from personal lines or victims of domestic violence needing to reach out without leaving a digital breadcrumb. Because of this, you can’t just tell Verizon or AT&T to "delete" the *67 function from the network. It’s baked into the infrastructure.

What you're really looking for isn't how to block the number 67, but how to block the result of that code.

How to Actually Stop Anonymous Callers

If you’re tired of the "Private Caller" dance, you have a few practical paths.

The Smartphone "Silence" Trick

Both Apple and Google have realized that we're all tired of this. On an iPhone, you can go into Settings, hit Phone, and toggle on Silence Unknown Callers. It’s a blunt instrument. It doesn't just block *67 calls; it shunts anyone not in your contacts straight to voicemail. If you’re expecting a call from a new delivery driver or a doctor's office, you’re going to miss it.

Android users have it a bit better with the "Block Harassing Calls" or "Block Anonymous Calls" feature found in the Phone app settings. It's usually under "Blocked Numbers." This specifically targets the "Private" and "Hidden" tags that *67 generates.

The Carrier Side: Anonymous Call Rejection

This is the "old school" way that still works. Most major carriers offer a service called Anonymous Call Rejection.

For many landlines or VoIP services, you can actually dial *77 to enable this. Once it’s on, anyone who tries to call you using *67 will hear a recording. It basically tells them: "The person you are calling does not accept anonymous calls. Please hang up, unmask your number, and call back."

It’s effective. It forces the caller to be transparent. To turn it off, you usually dial *87.

Why Spammers Love (and Hate) *67

Modern scammers have mostly moved past *67. Why? Because it’s too obvious. Most people don't pick up "Private" calls anymore.

Instead, they use Neighbor Spoofing. This is where they use software to make their number look like it’s coming from your local area code. It’s way more effective than hiding. However, *67 is still used by debt collectors and private investigators because it bypasses some of the "Spam Likely" filters that look for known malicious numbers. If the number is hidden, the filter sometimes doesn't know what to do with it.

The "TrapCall" Alternative

If you’re being harassed by someone specifically using *67 to hide their identity, there are third-party services like TrapCall. These companies use a process called "backhaul" to unmask the number.

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When a *67 call comes in, you decline it. The call is then forwarded to their servers, they strip away the privacy mask, and they ring your phone back with the actual phone number displayed. It’s a bit of a "nuclear option" and usually costs a monthly subscription, but if you’re dealing with a persistent stalker or harasser, it’s one of the few ways to actually see who is behind the curtain.

Can You Block *67 Permanently?

Technically, no. You can't "block" the service code from existing. You can only set up barriers on your end to ignore the output. It’s like trying to block someone from wearing a mask in public; you can’t stop them from putting the mask on, but you can refuse to open your door to anyone whose face you can’t see.

Real-World Nuance: When *67 is Necessary

We tend to demonize anonymous calling, but there are legitimate reasons for it. If you’re a lawyer calling a witness or a social worker working from home, *67 is a vital tool for personal safety.

The problem arises when the balance shifts toward's misuse. In 2026, the sheer volume of automated traffic makes any anonymous signal feel like a threat. But remember, if you turn on total blocking for anonymous calls, you might miss a call from a hospital or a government agency. Many of those systems still use restricted lines for security and privacy compliance (like HIPAA).

Actionable Steps to Take Right Now

If the "Private Caller" pestering has reached its limit, follow this sequence. Don't just do one; layer them.

1. Check your carrier settings first. Log into your account (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) and search for "Anonymous Call Rejection." It’s often a free toggle that’s buried deep in the "Add-ons" or "Security" tabs.
2. Enable "Silence Unknown Callers" (iOS) or "Block Anonymous" (Android) if you don't mind missing non-contact calls. This is the fastest way to get immediate peace.
3. Use a third-party filter. Apps like Hiya or RoboKiller have better databases for identifying the source of hidden calls than the default phone apps do.
4. Report persistent harassment. If you keep getting hidden calls from the same person, start a log. Even if the number is "Private," your service provider has the records. If you file a police report for harassment, the authorities can subpoena those records to find out exactly who is behind the *67.

Managing your digital footprint is exhausting. Blocking the *67 "Private Caller" annoyance is just one part of keeping your sanity in a world where your phone number is essentially public record. Start with the carrier-level rejection; it’s the most "pro" way to handle it without making your phone useless for legitimate strangers.

Expert Insight: If you’re receiving an influx of these calls suddenly, your number might have been "validated" in a recent data breach. Scammers often use anonymous pings to see if a line is active before selling that data to higher-tier phishing groups. Treating these calls with a "do not engage" policy is your best defense against future spam.

Key Technical Summary

The most effective way to stay safe is to realize that you are in control of who gets your time. You don't owe an anonymous caller a "hello." Turn on the barriers, let the important people leave a voicemail, and let the *67 ghosts talk to themselves.