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Which Is Worse, ‘No Caller ID’ or ‘Unknown Caller’?

October 25, 2025 10:30 am in by

Let’s be honest, whether it’s ‘No Caller ID’ or ‘Unknown Caller’, most of us are hitting decline either way. But did you know there’s actually a difference between the two?

What Does ‘No Caller ID’ Mean?

When a call comes through as No Caller ID, it’s because the person on the other end has deliberately hidden their number. This can be done by dialling 141 before your number or by changing your phone settings to block outgoing caller ID. It’s a favourite trick for spammers, but it’s also used by doctors or law enforcement calling you back.

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So Then, What’s an ‘Unknown Caller’?

‘Unknown Caller’ usually means there’s a technical issue. Maybe the network glitched, your carrier couldn’t identify the call, or it’s coming from international numbers. In this case, the caller didn’t hide their number, it just got lost in transit.

Should You Answer?

Probably not. While sometimes these calls are legit, Norton reports that over a quarter of anonymous calls are spam or fraud. Best to let it go to voicemail… unless you’re waiting on your GP.

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