Have you ever received a call from the number +266696687? Whether or not you realize it, odds are you probably have. +266696687 is obviously not a conventional telephone number, and as such, attempting to call it back will result in your call not going through. So why is it that so many incoming calls show up with this mysterious caller ID? You're about to find out!

Whose Number is This?

To begin, you may be wondering who this number belongs to. The answer is that it doesn't belong to anyone in particular. The digits of this number actually spell out "ANONYMOUS" on a telephone keypad, which is why it may be used by anyone who is trying to hide their identity from you. Similar to Caller ID Spoofing , some companies may have legitimate reasons and legal permission to alter their Caller ID (CID) and remain anonymous. Other times, however, callers using this particular number may be scammers attempting to hide their identity for fraudulent purposes.

Can You Stop Calls From This Number?

Yes, you can. Here are three simple ways to stop receiving calls from the infamous +266696687.

1. Block the number on your phone.
2. Register your number into the National Do Not Call Registry, which will automatically block numbers like this from calling you ever again:
   • US: either calling 1-888-382-1222 or registering online at www.donotcall.gov.
   • Canada: either calling 1-866-580-DNCL (3625) or register online at www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca/en.
3. Call your service provider to ask them to block this number, and other spam numbers, on your behalf.

Other Numbers to Look Out For

Remember how we said +266696687 spells "anonymous"? This is because the word "ANONYMOUS" is the code that the originating carrier has passed on the original CallerID invite. There are some similar code words that originating carriers may pass onto them for other kinds of calls, which is sometimes also converted into digits as well. Here are a few common ones to look out for:

1. RESTRICTED: 737-874-2833 (+7378742833)
2. BLOCKED: 256-2533 (+2562533)
3. UNKNOWN: 865-6696 (+8656696)

Additionally, if you're ever unsure about the safety of any unfamiliar numbers you receive calls from, you can always enter it into Whois by Sipstack to assess its Risk Rating Score.

How SIPSTACK Fights Fraud

Using the latest technology and machine learning, SIPSTACK's systems authenticate all activity in real time against variables that affect your security. When a carrier implements SIPSTACK's Risk Rating Score, they are able to customize a threshold for calls to pass through, based on their specific needs. At SIPSTACK, we take an active role in ensuring we are building a secure and connected tomorrow. Contact us to learn how you can protect yourself from spam.