How to find out who called from a hidden or unknown number

Sometimes, an incoming call shows up as “Unknown” or “Hidden number.” You can’t call back, can’t see the number, and have no way to identify the caller. These calls might happen once or keep repeating — but the question remains: how can you know who’s calling?

One way to reveal the caller is by setting up call forwarding — either to voicemail or to another number. In some cases, this can expose the original phone number, especially if the call isn’t answered right away. In practice, forwarding to a number from a different mobile carrier tends to work more reliably.

❗ Important: Most carriers charge for call forwarding. Always check the terms, including pricing and billing details, before activating the feature.

How NumBuster helps

If the forwarded call reaches a phone with NumBuster installed, the number is instantly checked. The app shows how often the number has called, whether it’s been flagged by other users, and what comments have been left. This makes it easier to tell whether the number belongs to a call center, a marketing team, a company employee — or someone with a questionable track record.

Even if the original number was hidden, call forwarding can help uncover it. Once you do, use NumBuster to see what others have already reported. The app gives you a real picture based on community experiences — so you can decide what to do next with confidence.