An unlisted telephone number is a residential number that is not published in any telephone directory or provided to the general public. It can reduce telemarketing and prank calls, but there is usually a small fee for the service. It cannot be obtained by calling directory information and can be acquired by anyone with existing phone service.
An unlisted telephone number is a residential telephone number that is not published in any telephone directory or telephone directory provided to the general public. Because it would be irrational for a business to have an unpublished number, it mostly applies to residential telephone service customers who do not want their telephone number to be publicly available. While anyone can request that their phone number not be listed, it is common practice for people who work with the general public, such as doctors, lawyers, politicians and school teachers.
Before the development of more advanced telephone technologies such as caller ID, there was no cost to having an unlisted telephone number. However, most home phone service providers now charge a small fee for this service due to the complication of maintaining separation in their large databases. An unlisted telephone number will not be published in public telephone directories or books and will not appear on caller ID displays. It also cannot be obtained by calling directory information.
As with all information, telephone numbers can be used for bad and illegal actions. Many companies offer to sell unpublished and unlisted phone number information to legal professionals, businesses, and individuals. For residential customers, telephone services such as privacy manager make it impossible for people with unlisted numbers to call a telephone line with privacy services installed without first identifying themselves. While it’s virtually impossible to keep a phone number completely private, having it unlisted can significantly reduce telemarketing calls, prank calls, and public invasion.
While anyone with existing phone service can turn a published number into an unlisted phone number, it often makes sense to acquire a new phone number before making it unlisted. Phone companies can work with consumers if they have problems, such as harassment, that violate the law and help them acquire a new, unlisted number if needed.
Information about how an unlisted telephone number can affect a person’s telephone service can usually be obtained from a local telephone company.
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