Hiding Your Number In Australia: A Step-By-Step Guide

If you want to make a phone call while keeping your number private, there are several methods you can use. One way is to dial #31# before the number you want to call. This method works for both mobile and landline numbers and is applicable across Australia. Another option is to request a silent or unlisted number from your telco provider, which will prevent your number from appearing on most outgoing calls. Additionally, you can register your number on the Do Not Call Register to stop receiving telemarketing calls.

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Blocking your caller ID on a call-by-call basis

If you want to block your caller ID on a call-by-call basis, you can do so by dialling #31# before the number you want to call. This method works for both mobile and landline numbers.

For example, if you want to call 0400 000 000, dial #31#0400000000. This will block your caller ID for that call only.

This method has been reported to work on several networks, including Telstra, Vodafone, and Optus.

Please note that your number will still be displayed when calling a telco or emergency service numbers such as 000 and 112. Additionally, your number will always be displayed and cannot be blocked when sending text or multimedia messages.

If you wish to permanently block your caller ID on all calls, you will need to contact your telco.

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Registering your number on the Do Not Call Register

To register your number, you can use the online form on the Do Not Call Register website. If you would prefer not to provide your email address, you can register your number by phone by calling 1300 792 958. You can also register a new number if you change your phone number. It is worth noting that registered numbers can still be contacted by exempt organizations, including registered charities, research companies, registered political parties, and educational institutions.

If you have a silent phone number, your number will not show up on the phones you call, except when calling some telcos or emergency services. You can request a silent number when signing up with your telco, and some may charge an ongoing fee for this service. Additionally, if you make your number public, for example, by putting it on a flyer or online, telemarketers may still get your number and call you.

To temporarily block your caller ID for a specific call, you can dial 1831 (#31*#) before dialing the number. This will hide your number from being displayed on that particular call. However, your number will always be displayed when sending text or multimedia messages.

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Making a privacy complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

To make your phone number appear as private, you can dial #31# before the number you are dialling. This method works for both mobile and landline numbers. Alternatively, you can contact your telco and request a silent number. Telcos are responsible for keeping your phone number private. If you think your telco has wrongly disclosed your phone number, you should complain to them first. If they do not resolve your issue, you can contact the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.

If you have a silent number but it has been displayed when calling a business, you can consider making a privacy complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). The OAIC deals with complaints about private health service providers or organisations holding health information, large businesses, federal government agencies, tax file numbers, consumer credit reporting, and Commonwealth spent convictions.

To make a privacy complaint to the OAIC, you should first make the complaint in writing and include as many relevant details as possible. The OAIC will assess the complaint and decide whether to accept it. If the OAIC provides a report on the findings, you then have the opportunity to have the matter decided by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). There is a cost involved in going to NCAT and you may need legal representation. NCAT will deliver an enforceable decision and can award compensation.

It is important to note that if your complaint is not about a NSW public sector agency (including a local council or university) but is about a federal government agency or private sector business with a turnover of over $3 million, you can contact the OAIC. If your privacy complaint does not fall into any of these categories, you may be able to make a general complaint to the NSW Privacy Commissioner.

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Getting a silent number

A silent number, also known as an unlisted number, is a telephone number that is not listed in telephone books. In Australia, you can request a silent number from your telecommunications provider, often for a fee. When you sign up for a new service, you can ask your provider for a silent number, and they must inform you if they can provide one and how much it will cost. Some providers may charge an ongoing fee for this service, so it is worth shopping around.

Silent numbers are often used for privacy concerns, particularly for residential households. Having a silent number means that your number will not be displayed when you make a call (except when calling some telecommunications providers or emergency services). Your provider will automatically block your number from being displayed. However, if you want your number to be displayed, you can dial 1832 (or *31# from a mobile) before the number you wish to call.

It is important to note that having a silent number does not mean you won't receive unwanted calls or scams. Telemarketers may still call you if you have made your number public, for example, by putting it online or on a flyer. To stop telemarketing calls, you can register your number on the Do Not Call Register. However, this will not prevent scammers from contacting you, as they often use technology that generates random numbers.

If your silent number has been disclosed without your authorisation, you can complain to your telecommunications provider, who must rectify the situation as soon as possible. If they do not resolve the issue, you can contact the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.

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Contacting your telco to permanently block your CND

If you want to permanently block your CND (also known as Caller ID or Calling Line Identification), you'll need to contact your telco. This process is sometimes referred to as getting a "silent number" or an "unlisted number".

When you sign up with a telco, you can request a silent number. Some telcos may charge an ongoing fee for this service, so it's worth shopping around. With a silent number, your phone number will not be displayed when you make a call, except when calling some telcos or emergency services.

If you already have a number and want to change it to a silent number, you can contact your telco and request a number change. For example, Telstra users can call and say "change number" to begin this process. However, they may charge a fee for this.

It's worth noting that even with a silent number, your number may still be displayed in certain situations. For example, if you make a call to a business, they may use Automatic Number Identification (ANI) software that can override call blocking. In this case, you could consider making a privacy complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. Additionally, your number will always be displayed when sending text or multimedia messages.

Frequently asked questions