You can choose to hide caller ID (withhold your number) by using 141, show caller ID by using 1470 when you're making outgoing calls or find out who’s called you last using 1471.
141 – Withhold your number
How to hide your number using 141:
If you're not withholding your number permanently, you can use 141 to withhold your number on a call-by-call basis. Just dial 141 followed by the number you want to call. If your number is withheld the message 'withheld' is returned if the person being called uses 1471 to find out the identity of the caller.
To withhold your number permanently, contact us or your BT Account Manager if you have one.
141 – Withholding your number on a Featureline
- Dial 141.
- Press 9 and dial the phone number of the person you want to call.
If you've asked us to automatically withhold your number, here's how to release your number:
- Dial *147# and then dial the extension number you want to call, or 9 followed by the phone number of an outside line.
- Dial 1470 and then dial the extension number you want to call, or 9 followed by the phone number of an outside line.
If you want to permanently withhold your number, press 9 and call us for free on 0800 800 152 or contact your BT Account Manager.
1470 – Showing your number or disable 1470 on your line
How to show caller ID using 1470:
If you've chosen to have your number permanently withheld, you can use 1470 to release and display your number on a call-by-call basis. Just dial 1470 followed by the number you want to call. If you've got a geographic number for the line, you can either display this or the 056 number.
Disabling 1470 on your line
Is your number ex-directory, or do you not want to release your number under any circumstances? To permanently withhold your number, head to our sales pages to get in touch with us, and we’ll arrange this for you.
1471 – Find out who’s called you
How to hear the last caller's number:
To hear the last call back number, just dial 1471.
How do 1471 Call Return charges appear on my bill?
They're shown as a summary and aren't itemised. The summary shows the number of call return attempts made and the total cost of these attempts. See our price guide for more details.
1475 – Erasing the number stored under 1471 using 1475
We offer a free service that lets you replace your last call details stored under 1471. As long as you can access 1471 on your line, it's available to you.
If you're not permanently withholding your number:
- Get a dialling tone and dial 1475.
- Wait for a ringing tone and put the phone down as soon as you hear it.
- Your phone will now ring.
- Answer the call - there'll be silence followed by a dialling tone.
- End the call.
If you're permanently withholding your number
Follow the steps as above but in step 1, dial 1470 (the release number) before 1475.
Troubleshooting
Is it a malicious or nuisance call if it's withheld?
Most calls from people who have withheld their numbers have no malicious intent. They might want to withhold their number because:
- Not all phone lines can accept incoming calls (they can be for outgoing calls only).
- Most ex-directory customers withhold their number to maintain their privacy.
- They don't want to receive a return call, like a Samaritans volunteer working from home.
Why can I hear my own phone number when I dial 1471?
This happens when you have Call Minder or BT Answer enhanced. Both features call you back every ten minutes for up to an hour to let you know that you have a message waiting. In these instances the number on 1471 will be your own number.
You can see our complete range of Calling features in our Calling Features Guide.