Privacy is basically a myth these days. You give your phone number to a grocery store for a discount, and suddenly, you're getting three "Scam Likely" calls before lunch. It's exhausting. Honestly, that's why the demand to call using another number has skyrocketed lately. People are tired of their personal digits floating around the dark web like digital confetti. But if you think just dialing *67 is still the gold standard for staying off the grid, you're living in 1998.
The tech has changed.
If you're trying to figure out how to call using another number without looking like a telemarketer or a prank caller, you have to understand the layers of "spoofing" versus legitimate secondary lines. Most people assume that masking a number is only for people doing something shady. That’s just not true. Freelancers use it to keep clients from calling them at 2:00 AM on a Sunday. Online daters use it because, let’s be real, you don’t always want a stranger knowing your primary contact info after one coffee. It's about boundaries.
The Reality of Virtual SIMs and VoIP
You've probably heard of Google Voice. It's the "old reliable" of this space. It gives you a legitimate second number that routes to your primary phone. It's free (mostly), and it works. But Google Voice has a bit of a reputation problem—some short-code verification services, like those used by banks or Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) systems, flat-out reject Google Voice numbers because they’re flagged as "wireline" or non-mobile.
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Then you have apps like Burner, Hushed, or Sideline. These are the heavy hitters for anyone who needs to call using another number for more than just a one-off conversation.
They operate on Voice over IP (VoIP). When you place a call, the app sends data over the internet to a server, which then places a standard PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) call to your recipient. To the person on the other end, it looks like a normal local number. To you, it’s a separate silo of communication. You can "burn" the number—hence the name of the app—whenever you want, and it vanishes. Poof. No more contact.
Why *67 is basically useless now
We’ve all tried it. You dial *67, then the number, and your caller ID shows up as "Private" or "Restricted."
Here is the problem: nobody picks up restricted calls anymore.
Thanks to the STIR/SHAKEN framework—a set of technical standards implemented by the FCC to combat robocalls—carriers are getting way more aggressive about filtering. If your call doesn't have a "verified" caller ID, it’s likely going straight to voicemail or getting a big red warning label on the recipient's screen. When you call using another number through a legitimate app, you’re often getting a number that is "vetted" by the carrier system, meaning it’s less likely to get blocked by spam filters.
The "Burner" Phone vs. The "Burner" App
Some people still go the old-school route. They go to a big-box store, buy a $30 prepaid "burner" phone, and load it with minutes. It’s the stuff of spy movies. But is it actually more secure?
Not necessarily.
A physical burner phone still connects to local cell towers. It has an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number that can be traced to a specific location. If you’re just trying to call using another number to sell a couch on Craigslist, a physical phone is overkill and a hassle to carry. An app-based solution is encrypted on your device and uses your existing data connection, which is often more convenient for 99% of use cases.
The Legality of "Spoofing"
We need to talk about the Truth in Caller ID Act.
In the U.S., it is not inherently illegal to call using another number or to transmit misleading caller ID information. The "gotcha" is the intent. If you’re doing it to defraud, cause harm, or wrongly obtain anything of value, you’re breaking federal law. Using a secondary number for privacy? Perfectly fine. Using a neighbor's number to trick them into giving you their Social Security number? That's a felony.
The FCC has been cracking down hard on gateway providers that allow illegal spoofing. If you're using a sketchy, "free" website to spoof a number, you're likely putting your own data at risk. These fly-by-night services often log your calls or sell your metadata. If you aren't paying for the product, you probably are the product.
Technical Hurdles: Why Calls Fail
Ever tried to call using another number and it just... didn't work?
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Maybe the person didn't see the call, or it rang once and cut off. This usually happens because of "Attestation Levels." Under the STIR/SHAKEN rules, calls are given a grade:
- Level A (Full Attestation): The provider knows the user and knows they have the right to use that number.
- Level B (Partial Attestation): The provider knows the user but isn't 100% sure they own the number being displayed.
- Level C (Gateway Attestation): The provider just knows the call started on their network but has no idea who the caller is or if the number is real.
If you use a low-quality app to call using another number, your call might be tagged as Level C. Many modern smartphones are now set to "Silence Unknown Callers" or automatically block anything that isn't Level A.
Esim: The New Frontier of Multi-Number Life
The game changed with the arrival of eSIM technology. Most modern iPhones and Pixels allow you to have two "active" SIMs at the same time. You don't even need a third-party app anymore. You can literally go to a carrier like Tello, Mint Mobile, or even a big carrier like Verizon, and add a second line to your existing phone.
This is the "pro" way to call using another number.
You get a dedicated "Work" line and a "Personal" line. In your settings, you can toggle which line uses data and which line is the default for outgoing calls. It’s seamless. No more lag from VoIP apps. No more weird echoes. Just a real, secondary cellular connection living inside your phone's chip.
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Actionable Steps for Better Phone Privacy
If you're ready to stop handing out your primary digits to every website and stranger, here is how you actually do it effectively.
First, identify your "threat model." If you're just dodging spam, a free Google Voice number is fine. If you're a business owner, look into a dedicated VoIP service like Dialpad or Zoom Phone. They offer much better call quality and professional features like "hours of operation" so your phone doesn't ring at dinner.
Second, check your phone’s compatibility. If your device supports eSIM, that is the most reliable way to call using another number. You can find "travel" eSIMs or "secondary" lines for as little as $5 a month. It’s a small price to pay for the ability to turn off your work life with a single toggle in your settings.
Third, be aware of the "Verification" trap. Many services like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Tinder are getting very good at detecting virtual numbers. If you try to sign up for a service using a VoIP number, you might get banned or blocked. In those cases, only a "Real" mobile number (like one from an eSIM or a physical SIM) will work.
Finally, clean up your digital footprint. Once you have a secondary number, go through your most important accounts—banking, email, social media—and ensure they are tied to your most secure line. Use your "disposable" number for everything else. It takes an afternoon to set up, but the peace of mind of not having your phone ring every time a telemarketer finds an old database is worth every second of effort.
The goal isn't just to hide; it's to take control of who has access to your pocket. Start small. Get a secondary number for your next online sale or date. You'll quickly realize how much "noise" you were putting up with before.