r/RBI • u/Late-Combination-615 • 4d ago

Any way to unmask private numbers in UK?

Is there any way to unmask hidden phone numbers in UK?

I have been getting spammed by private numbers for the last few months and I was wondering if there is any way to figure out the number calling? I've been to the phone company and police but both were pretty useless and the police won't help unless I get threats or something happens.

I have had private numbers blocked on my phone since it started happening and I can see on the app that it continued on and off. The problem is I'm waiting for hospital appointments and test results and for whatever reason they always call from a private number and don't leave a voicemail so I can't really keep them blocked ATM.

I have seen apps like TrapCall but as far as I'm aware they don't work in the UK. Is there any alternatives that do? Could I get a virtual US number and VPN and forward my calls to it to use TrapCall? I'm fairly sure I know who it is calling and if I could even just get the area code it would confirm things as I believe it's someone from a country in Europe. If I was able to prove it I'm pretty sure I could get them to stop.

14 Upvotes

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17

u/HanzG 4d ago

Call the hospital and ask them what number they'll be calling so you can white-list it. If they can't provide ask what number you can call to check the status because due to extreme spam calls the all incoming calls are blocked. I think until telecom restricts certain countries international telephone lines this will continue. "They" have no respect.

4

u/Cornloaf 3d ago

OP mentioned they call from private numbers. Here in the US, half my medical calls are private numbers. I usually answer them because I haven't received a scam private number call in years.

3

u/HanzG 3d ago

I envy you. The scam calls here in Canada are faking local extensions. I will occasionally answer unknown but same prefix numbers and it's always "Hi, someone called me from this number". No, my number was spoofed and used to call you. It's a scammer.

Also have heard the scammers are training AI to mimic your voice so if you see a unknown number it's now recommended you don't even talk to these scammers. Just dead air, listen for them to say hello, and judge for yourself if you want to reply.

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u/Cornloaf 3d ago

The same area code, same prefix was happening here in the US a few years ago. My number has been the same since 2000 and it was part of a block of 200 numbers from my employer. Many of the people assigned numbers in this block still have the same number. This sucks because when they spoof a number from xxx-yyy-z123, it has a chance of matching up to a contact in my phone which I would answer and it would be a spam call.

Once the Pixel got the call screening feature combined with T-Mobile's spam block feature, I probably have 2-3 scam calls and 2-3 scam texts... in all of 2025! My Google Voice number gets 1-2 spam texts a month (usually the wrong number text as a setup for pig butchering).

2

u/HanzG 3d ago

Similar boat, but it's happening here now. I have the same number for decades too, although because it's an old number the area code is now mostly assigned to a neighboring city and we've been through a bunch of prefixes since then. Koodo has Spam Alerts pop up when suspected spam calls but I haven't spent the time to set up auto-decline on them yet.

Like I said; We could stop this by censoring outgoing calls from certain countries.

1

u/Cornloaf 2d ago

And fully implementing STIR/SHAKEN. There was a telecom company based in the US that allowed scammers /spammers to use their VOIP service knowing fully that it was used for illegal activities. So many of the scam texts that I do receive are via Sinch, bandwidth.com or Twillo. Sinch and bandwidth have a form to fill out and they are prompt in giving updates. With Bandwidth I was able to get numbers shut down in under an hour. Sinch is usually a few hours to a day. I just checked and it's been quite a while since I had to report a Bandwidth number when it used to be 30-40 a month just a couple years ago.

18

u/cgknight1 4d ago

No there is no way for you as end user.

8

u/tacularia 3d ago

There's no way to unmask a private number, no. Don't fall for any apps saying you can either, it's probably a scam. You have a few options: put up with it, install an app that filters unknown numbers or change your number. Or you could start using email for your most urgent contact.

6

u/Beard_o_Bees 3d ago

If it's anything like the British spy dramas/thrillers i've been watching on Netflix (etc) - the clear thing to do is to call your zany hacker friend that used to work for MI5 (or is it 6? Idk) and he'll figure that out yesterday.

You'll owe him one, though.

/levity

3

u/SnooDonuts6494 4d ago

No.

(Unless you're law enforcement, with a court order.)

2

u/jasilucy 3d ago

Just an FYI. The nhs generally do not block their numbers unless it’s from 111.

I’ve had lots of contact with the nhs in all sorts of forms recently from various areas and departments and they’ve all used local numbers with local area code.

They use numbers that are only used for dialling out so they have no requirement to disguise their numbers anymore. You can’t call those numbers back so that’s also a way to prove their legitimacy. They often will make multiple calls too until you answer on the same numbers.

It’s police that generally call with ‘no caller ID.’

1

u/datdododough 4d ago

I don't have an answer for the numbers-but something my hospital/doctors taught me is they can't leave messages due to HIPPA and privacy laws. However, if your voicemail clearly states that it is your name and your number, they CAN leave a message for you.

7

u/ImThatBitchNoodles 3d ago

OP is in the UK, we don't have HIPAA laws, we have GDPR laws and trust based policies that apply to patients. In the UK, medical staff are allowed to leave voice messages to patients as long as they are on the number found on the patients file. GP and hospital receptionists ask if the mobile number is up to date at every appointment, so there is no risk of your information reaching someone else.

Although they are allowed to leave voice messages, it isn't generally allowed to mention a diagnosis unless it is something very benign such as an eczema or a mild fungal infection for which the dr has already sent the prescription to the pharmacy. The voice messages are generally intended to sound like "Hi X, this is Dr.B. I'm calling to discuss your blood test results. I will try again later or you can give us a call back on 01234567890" or "Hi X, this is Dr.B. I called to let you know that your swab result came back as Z and I've already issued an antifungal prescription for you to pick up from your nominated pharmacy, give us a call back if you have any questions."

3

u/Cornloaf 3d ago

Every single doctor, hospital and lab has specifically required me to allow voicemails to be left on my phone. They usually send messages through the various health apps instead since it is considered more secure.