Call your phone service provider and ask to have your number changed to a private listing. This option is permanent: There is a difference between unlisted and unpublished. But either will make your number "private." Have the customer-service representative explain the different features of each and the prices involved. Choose the one that best fits your needs and your budget. Once the service is set up, your number will not show on caller ID displays.

Dial 67 and wait for the dial tone. Dial the phone number as you normally would. Once you hang up, it will "clear," and you will need to re-enter 67 for each call you make when you want your number to be private. This option for hiding your phone number is temporary. (Some phone companies charge for this function and some do not. Call your company's customer-service number and ask about any charges that may apply.)

Call your phone company if you have a private number and you want or need it to display to make a phone call. Ask to have your private listing changed to a public one. This will save you a little bit of money on your phone bill each month and will display your phone number when you make outbound calls. The call-blocking feature that others use to block "unknown" or "private" calls will no longer prevent your call from getting through. This option is permanent.

Use the temporary fix to display your number briefly. When you call a phone number that has the blocking feature attached, a recording should come on with instructions. To avoid that and get through the first time, simply dial *82. Wait for the dial tone, then dial the phone number as you normally would. This works on a call-by-call basis, so after you hang up the phone, it will "clear" and make your phone number private again for your next call.