*67 and Caller ID Testing: Does It Still Work in 2026?

The telecommunications industry relies on decades-old infrastructure mixed with cutting-edge digital routing. Because of this messy hybrid system, caller ID is often misunderstood, easily manipulated, and frequently abused by scammers.

In this guide, we dive into the technical side of caller identification, including how the famous *67 code actually works, how developers perform caller ID tests, and how to spot dangerous Caller ID spoofing scams.

Is *67 No Caller ID?

Yes. Dialing *67 before a phone number is the standard North American vertical service code to block your caller ID.

When you dial *67, your phone sends a specific signal to your carrier's switching center. Your carrier receives your phone number, but it also receives a "privacy indicator" flag.

When your carrier hands the call over to the recipient's carrier, it includes that privacy flag. The receiving carrier then honors the flag and displays "No Caller ID" on the recipient's screen instead of your number.

*Does 67 work internationally? Usually, no. The *67 code is a North American Numbering Plan (NANP) feature. If you are traveling in Europe, you would typically dial #31# before the number to achieve the same result.

What is a Caller ID Test?

If you see someone searching for a "Caller ID Test" or an "IPC Caller ID," they are likely dealing with telecom configuration.

When businesses set up large PBX systems, SIP trunks, or VoIP applications (like Twilio or WebRTC integrations), they need to ensure their outbound caller ID is formatted correctly.

A Caller ID test involves dialing a specific test number (often provided by the SIP trunk provider) that reads back the caller ID data it received. This helps engineers verify that their "CNAM" (Caller ID Name) database records have propagated properly across the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

The Danger of Caller ID Spoofing

Because Caller ID data is essentially just a string of text attached to a call packet, malicious actors can easily manipulate it. This is known as "Spoofing."

The "PCH Caller ID" Scam

A very common search term is "pch caller id".

If you receive a phone call and the caller ID literally says "PCH" or "Publishers Clearing House," it is almost certainly a scam.

Scammers use illegal offshore VoIP systems to type "PCH" into the caller ID name field. They call elderly or vulnerable individuals, claiming they have won a massive sweepstakes. The scammer then asks the victim to pay a "processing fee" or "taxes" upfront via wire transfer or gift cards to release the funds.

Legitimate companies rarely conduct high-stakes prize notifications over a cold phone call. Never trust a caller ID implicitly.

The Secure Communication Solution

If you want to ensure your calls are routed securely, with high-quality audio and absolute control over your caller ID, you should step away from legacy carrier codes like *67.

EzyRing is a modern, browser-based VoIP application that lets you take control of your telecommunications.

Whether you need to make an anonymous call safely or want to verify your own phone number to ensure your contacts recognize you, EzyRing provides a secure, encrypted tunnel directly from your web browser to any phone in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions