Dealing with Unknown Callers: Tips and Tools to Keep Your Privacy Safe

Amidst the myriad of daily life distractions, receiving calls from unknown numbers can be both frustrating and anxiety-inducing. Whether you’re receiving telemarketers, scammers, or just anonymous inquiries, it's essential to address these unknown callers effectively. This article dives into how to find out who an unknown caller is, the potential dangers they pose, and how to take steps to protect yourself from such calls.

Understanding Unknown Calls

When someone calls you from a phone number you don't recognize, it’s considered an unknown call. Occasionally, such calls can be annoying, but more often they are a cause for concern. For instance, No Caller ID indicates that the caller has intentionally blocked their information from being displayed, while Unknown Caller suggests that the phone number wasn't recognized by your service provider. Both can be signs of potentially harmful individuals or organizations, making it crucial to take action.

Why Do Callers Hide Their Numbers?

Callers can hide their numbers using various techniques. One of the most common methods is to input 67 before the phone number they are dialing. This allows the call to go through as normal, but the recipient will only see "No Caller ID" or "Unknown Caller" on their screen. This feature was initially intended for privacy, but it has unfortunately become a tool for mischief and criminal activities.

Ways to Find Out an Unknown Caller’s Number

Fortunately, there are several ways to identify an unknown caller:

tDial 69 Return Call: Entering 69 on your phone can provide you with the number, time, and date of the last incoming call. This can help you manually block the number or return the call. tDial 57 Malicious Caller Identification: This feature, activated by dialing 57, helps trace the call and identify if it’s a potential violation of the law. However, it may come with a fee and is only useful if you intend to report the caller to the authorities. tCall Your Phone Service Provider: Your service provider may store call records for at least a year (landline) to a decade (wireless), allowing you to request the information. tDownload a Third-Party App: Apps like TrapCall, Hiya, and TrueCaller can help identify the number calling you by running a reverse phone number lookup.

Protecting Yourself from Unknown Callers

Manually blocking and reporting unknown numbers can be time-consuming and ineffective in the long run. The best way to prevent unwanted calls is to use tools like Dialed, which provides a second phone number for you to use, keeping your personal and business information secure.

Dialed acts as a digital umbrella, ensuring that your number remains safe and secure. By signing up with Dialed, you receive an extra phone number for business use and a separate one for personal use. This separation makes it harder for scammers to find either number, thereby protecting your privacy.

Conclusion

Dealing with unknown callers can be a daunting task, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can safeguard your privacy effectively. By familiarizing yourself with the different ways to determine who is calling and using services like Dialed, you can minimize these interruptions and enjoy your peace of mind.