Protect Your Phone Privacy: Australia-Specific Tips

how to make phone private australia

If you want to make your phone number private in Australia, there are several methods you can use. One way is to request a silent or unlisted number from your telco provider, which prevents your number from appearing on the phones you call. Alternatively, you can temporarily block your Caller ID on a call-by-call basis by dialling #31# before the number you wish to contact. Additionally, smartphone users can adjust their phone settings to hide their caller ID or utilise a secondary phone number through applications such as Google Voice.

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How to hide your phone number on iPhone or Android

How to hide your phone number on iPhone:

To hide your phone number on an iPhone, you can turn off your Caller ID. Go to Settings > Apps > Phone. Tap Show My Caller ID, then turn it off. If you don't see Show My Caller ID, your carrier may not allow you to turn off your caller ID information.

How to hide your phone number on Android:

To hide your number on an Android phone, you can enter *67 before dialling the area code and number. This will make your number appear as "Private" or "Blocked" on the recipient's phone. This method only works for a single call, so you'll need to dial *67 each time you want to hide your number. Alternatively, you can turn on the built-in Hide number feature in your phone settings. Open your Phone app, go to Settings > Supplementary Services or Calls, and under Caller ID, select Hide number or Never. You can also contact your carrier to see if they offer an app or another method to hide your number.

Additional Information:

  • If you have a silent or unlisted number, it will not show up on the phones you call (except for some telcos and emergency services).
  • If you want your number to show up for a particular call, you can dial 82 before the number (iPhone) or 1832 (31# from a mobile) and then the number you want to call (Android).
  • To stop telemarketing calls, you can register your number on the Do Not Call Register.

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How to block your caller ID on a call-by-call basis

If you want to make your phone number private on a call-by-call basis, you can do so by dialling a specific code before the number you want to call. This process is known as CND (Calling Number Display) blocking.

To block your caller ID on a call-by-call basis, dial 1831 from a landline, or #31# from a mobile, and then dial the number you want to call. This method works for numbers on the Telstra, Vodafone, and Optus (Moose) networks. It is also effective even if the person you're calling has your number saved.

Note that your number will still be visible when calling some telcos or emergency services, such as 000 and 112. Additionally, while this method hides your caller ID from the person receiving the call, your carrier still logs your number, and it will be disclosed in any legal investigation.

If you're using an iPhone or Android device, you can also make a quick settings change to keep your phone number hidden. For iPhones, open Settings, select Phone, tap Show My Caller ID, and toggle this option off. For Android phones, open the phone app, tap the menu button in the top right corner, select Settings, choose Calls, then Additional Settings, tap Caller ID, and select Hide Number. Keep in mind that not all carriers offer the option to hide your number, so you may not see these settings on your phone.

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How to make your phone number unlisted

In Australia, an unlisted phone number is also known as a silent number. This means that your phone number will not be included in printed, online, or voice-assisted public directories. You can request a silent number when signing up with a telco, but some may charge an ongoing fee for this service.

To make your number unlisted, you can contact your telco and request to change your number to a silent number. Telcos such as Telstra and Belong offer this service. You can also hide your number on a call-by-call basis by dialling 1831 or #31# before the number you are calling. This will make your number appear as "Unknown Caller". However, your number will still be visible when calling emergency services or some telcos.

If you have an iPhone, you can also hide your caller ID by going to Settings, scrolling down to Phone, tapping on Show My Caller ID, and turning it off. On Android devices, the process may vary depending on your specific device.

It's important to note that even with a silent number, you may still receive telemarketing calls. To stop these, you can register your number on the Australian Government's Do Not Call Register. Additionally, if you believe your telco has wrongly disclosed your phone number, you can make a privacy complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

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How to stop telemarketing calls

To make your phone number more private in Australia, you can ask your telco for a silent or unlisted number. This will prevent your phone number from appearing on the phones you call, except when calling some telcos or emergency services. However, even with a silent number, you may still receive telemarketing calls as some telemarketers dial numbers at random or in a pattern.

To stop telemarketing calls, you can register your mobile, home, or fax number on the Australian Government's Do Not Call Register. This is a free service that allows you to add your number to a "do not disturb" list, reducing unsolicited telemarketing calls. After registering your number, telemarketers are required to check their calling lists against the register before making calls. It's important to note that it may take up to 30 days for your number to be fully registered, and you may still receive calls from exempt organisations or scammers.

In addition to the Do Not Call Register, there are other steps you can take to reduce unwanted calls. You can use call blocking features on your phone or device to prevent specific numbers from reaching you. Each device may have different methods for blocking calls, so refer to your device's instructions. For example, Telstra offers the Call Guardian Gen3, which blocks 100% of nuisance calls.

If you continue to receive unwanted calls, you can report them to the National Anti-Scam Centre or submit a Report Misuse of Service form to Telstra's Cyber Security team if the calls are claiming to be from Telstra. It's important to be vigilant and protect your personal information, especially when dealing with unknown callers.

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How to make a privacy complaint

Privacy complaints can be made to a variety of organisations in Australia, depending on the nature of the complaint. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a privacy complaint:

Step 1: Identify the Nature of Your Complaint

Different organisations handle different types of privacy complaints. For example, if your complaint is about a bank mishandling your personal information, you would contact the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. If your complaint is about the confidentiality of medical records, you would contact the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission. Knowing the nature of your complaint will help you identify the correct organisation to contact.

Step 2: Gather Relevant Information and Documents

Before making your complaint, gather all the relevant information and documents. This includes any correspondence with the organisation you are complaining about, as well as any relevant laws or codes that you believe have been breached. If your complaint involves credit reporting, include a copy of your credit report.

Step 3: Contact the Appropriate Organisation

Once you have identified the correct organisation to handle your complaint, contact them using the appropriate method. Most organisations accept complaints via email, phone, or post. Provide as many details as possible about your complaint and include any relevant documents.

Step 4: Follow Up

After you have made your initial complaint, follow up with the organisation to ensure that your complaint is being addressed. Organisations typically have a set number of days to respond to your complaint, so be mindful of the timeline. If you are unsatisfied with the response or if the organisation does not respond within the specified time frame, you can escalate your complaint to a higher authority.

Step 5: Escalate if Necessary

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your complaint, you may be able to escalate it to a higher body. For example, if your complaint is about a NSW public sector agency and you are unhappy with the response, you can contact the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for a review. Alternatively, if your complaint is about a federal government agency or a private sector business with a turnover of over $3 million, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

It is important to note that the process for making a privacy complaint may vary depending on the specific organisation and the nature of your complaint. Always refer to the relevant organisation's guidelines and seek legal advice if needed.

Frequently asked questions

To make your number private for a single call, dial #31# before dialling the number you want to call. This will hide your caller ID.

You can contact your telco and request a silent number. This will hide your number from appearing on the phones you call. However, it may not work for some telcos and emergency services.

If you have a silent number but want it to show for a specific call, dial 1832 before the number you are calling. This will temporarily unblock your caller ID for that call.

You can register your number on the Australian Government's Do Not Call Register to stop receiving telemarketing calls.

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