Think You’re Hiding Your Identity Using *67?
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT CALL BLOCKING
For decades, dialing *67 before a phone number has been the go‑to trick for blocking caller ID when making an outbound call. It’s simple, free, and widely known. But in 2026, *67 is no longer the privacy shield people expect. Modern telecom networks, smartphones, and fraud‑detection systems have changed how caller ID works – and scammers are abusing *67 to help exploit unsuspecting victims. The truth is that *67 works in some situations, fails in others, and is completely useless in many of the scenarios people care about most.
What Does *67 Do?
Dialing *67 before a phone number (e.g., *67‑555‑123‑4567) sends a “caller ID block” request to the telecom carrier. If the carrier honors it, the recipient will see a message other than your number. It does not, however, hide your number from the carrier, law enforcement, or the phone company. It only hides your number from the person you’re calling – and that is if the telephone carrier system allows it.
When *67 Works
- Calling most landlines: Traditional landline systems still honor caller‑ID blocking.
- Calling most personal cell phones: If the recipient’s carrier allows caller‑ID blocking, your number will appear as “Private.”
- Calling people who do not use call‑screening apps: Basic phone setups respect *67.
- Calling outside your contact list: If you’re calling someone who doesn’t already have your number saved, *67 will hide it.
When *67 Does Not Work
- Calling 911: Emergency services always see your number.
- Calling toll‑free numbers (800, 888, 877, 855, etc.): *67 is completely ignored for toll‑free numbers.
- Calling businesses with call‑center systems: Many modern call‑center platforms (banks, insurance, utilities, IRS, Social Security, state agencies, unemployment offices) use technology that enables them to override *67. This is why when you call, they may already know who you are.
- Calling someone who has your number saved: If your number is saved in the contact list of the person you are calling, many phones will still show your name.
Never Call an Unknown Person Using *67 and Expect to Hide Your Identity
Some folks believe that if they call back someone they suspect might be a scammer or telemarketer using *67, their phone number will not be revealed. *67 only hides your number from the person you’re calling, and only in limited scenarios. Your carrier still knows. The recipient’s carrier still knows. Any call‑center system still knows. Any toll‑free number carrier still knows. Any government agency still knows. And any emergency service still knows.
Final Takeaway: *67 is a legacy privacy tool that still works in simple, person‑to‑person calling – but it fails in many modern environments. If you need real privacy, you’re better off using a secondary number, a privacy-focused calling app, or a masked number like Google Voice, which is relatively easy to obtain.
Scam Alert
JURY DUTY PHONE SCAM
One of the more common scams we are seeing now at EverSafe involves threats for missing jury duty. The fraud starts with a phone call, text message, or email notifying the victim that they ignored several notices about missing jury duty and, as a result, there is now a pending warrant for their arrest. One recent case involved an Ohio man who lost more than $2,200 to a jury duty phone scheme earlier this month. He received a call from a purported “police officer” who provided a fake name and badge number. The man was told that he missed several jury notices and that he owed $2,250 in fines, which should be paid right away to avoid arrest. The victim was then directed to a convenience store to convert cash into Bitcoin to send to the scammer. Another victim, targeted for the same scam, was warned she was under a court’s “gag order” and so she should not tell anyone about the “investigation” or she could face state time. Naturally, this stopped her from checking in with a family member to tell them about what was going on – until it was too late.
The elements of a jury duty scam look like this:
False Claims: Scammers call and state that you missed a jury summons and are in contempt of court.
Intimidation: Aggressive threats of immediate arrest, fines, or even jail time with warnings to keep the call and investigation confidential.
Spoofing: Scammers may manipulate caller ID to make it appear that local police or federal marshals are calling.
Data Harvesting: Scammers may also ask for sensitive details like your date of birth or Social Security number in order to “confirm” this information for the phony “judge.”
Demands for Payment: Scammers demand immediate payment, often via cryptocurrency (Bitcoin), gift cards, wire transfers, or peer-to-peer apps.
Bottom line: Law enforcement officers do not call residents and threaten them with arrest or fines for missing jury duty. If you receive such a call, hang up. And educate your clients and family members about this scam.
Government / Legislative Update
BANKS CAN SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL FRAUD
The US Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued an updated guidance to clarify that financial institutions can share information with each other regarding customers who may be victims of fraud under section 314(b) of the Patriot Act. This updated guidance resolves some prior confusion about whether financial institutions are authorized to share information about activity involving suspected fraud – if that activity does not involve money laundering or terrorist financing. The fact sheet for the new guidance includes examples of the type of information related to fraud and other criminal activity that financial institutions can share. They include video surveillance footage, cyber-related data, including IP addresses, and fraud indicators like newly added payees followed by large transfers, multiple accounts with the same or similar identifying information, and login activity from geographically distant places. This clarification will almost certainly broaden Information sharing regarding illicit financial activity, including elder fraud, and will be vital to shutting down scams that cut across multiple financial institutions.
PACEMAKERS
DANCE GROUP FIGHTING AGEISM
Ever hear of the Pacemakers Dance Team? It’s a New York City dance company of older adults ranging in age from 60 to 87. Susan Avery started the group in 2019 after experiencing cyberbullying, turning those negative online experiences into an inspiring community. Their mission is to challenge stereotypes about getting older and treat it as a badge of honor. The troupe members proudly display their actual year of birth in bold numbers on the backs of their team jerseys. The Pacemakers gained widespread attention and formed a special connection with Lady Gaga after performing energetic routines to her music. You can see them dancing to Gaga here!
