In an age of constant communication, receiving phone calls or messages from unknown numbers has become increasingly common. Whether it's a missed call from an unfamiliar number, a potential scam or a wrong number, performing a reverse phone number lookup can help you identify the caller. You could start your search with free tools like Google or Whitepages, but if you’re struggling to find the person behind the number, paid services such as Spokeo or BeenVerified might give you more detail. In this guide, I’ll show you how each option works, along with a few tricks to improve your chances of getting accurate results.
What is reverse phone number lookup?
Though it sounds like a word jumble, what is commonly referred to as “reverse phone number lookup” is really just a service that allows you to search for information about a phone number. By entering the number into a lookup tool, you can find out details like the name of the caller, their location and sometimes even social media profiles or associated email addresses. This can be particularly useful when dealing with unwanted calls, checking the legitimacy of a business or reconnecting with someone you’ve lost contact with.
Free options
For many people, a quick and free method is sufficient to uncover basic information about a phone number. Here's how you can do it:
1. Use Google Search
The simplest (and often most effective) method is using Google. By typing the phone number into the search bar, you may uncover listings, social media profiles, business registrations or forum posts associated with that number. It’s a quick way to gather information without needing a dedicated service.
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Tip: Put the phone number in quotation marks to search for the exact number.
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Example search: “+44 123 456 7890” or “123-456-7890”
2. Check online directories
Several free online directories provide phone number lookup services. These usually gather data from publicly available sources such as government registries and social media platforms. Examples include:
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Whitepages: Offers limited access to data for free and can show basic information like location or carrier.
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TrueCaller: Known for its extensive community-based database, TrueCaller helps identify unknown numbers based on user reports.
To use these tools, you simply enter the phone number into the search bar. Some sites offer additional premium features, but the basic lookup is free.
3. Social media search
Social media platforms can also be an invaluable resource for tracking down information about a phone number. Searching the number on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram might lead to a user profile associated with it. Many people include their contact details in their social media bios, which can help you identify your caller.
Subscription-based reverse phone number lookup services
While free services are helpful, they might not always provide comprehensive details, especially for mobile numbers or those associated with private listings. For more detailed information, subscription-based services are available, offering more extensive data and enhanced accuracy. The services below are priced at less than $25/month; however, depending on the service and the features it offers, you may expect to pay more or less. Here are a few popular options:
1. Spokeo
Spokeo offers reverse phone lookup services that can help you uncover detailed information about the caller. It searches social networks, public records and other online databases to provide name, address and even criminal background (if applicable).
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How it works: Enter the phone number, and Spokeo will pull up available records. A subscription is required (from $14.95/month) for full access to reports.
2. Intelius
Intelius is another service that provides reverse phone lookup services, and it can identify landlines, mobile numbers and even VoIP numbers. You’ll get a detailed report with the person’s name, address and potentially even their email address.
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Subscription cost: Pricing starts at around $1.99 per lookup, though packages for multiple searches are available.
3. BeenVerified
BeenVerified is a popular background-check service that provides phone number directories that you can search through, along with other public records searches. It can uncover information such as a person's criminal background, social media profiles and more.
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How it works: Enter the phone number, and BeenVerified will provide a detailed report. Subscription required (from $23.98/month) for full access.
How to use a reverse phone number lookup service
Using a reverse phone number lookup service is generally straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
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Choose a service: Decide whether you want to use a free or paid service, depending on how detailed you want the information to be.
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Enter the phone number: Type the phone number into the search bar, ensuring the correct country code is included (if needed).
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Review the results: Depending on the service, you may see information like the name, location, phone carrier or social media profiles associated with the number.
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Access additional information (optional): If you’re using a paid service, you might be able to access detailed reports, including criminal records, address history and more.
Things to keep in mind when using reverse phone number lookup
While reverse phone lookup services can be incredibly helpful, they also have some limitations:
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Not all numbers are listed: Reverse phone lookup tools search public databases, which are collections of phone number records that are legally available for anyone to access. These usually include landline or mobile numbers that have been shared. Some numbers, especially those on private networks like a university campus, a large factory or a company’s internal phone system, are kept out of these databases. These private network numbers might only work inside that network and may not be reachable from the outside anyway, so a lookup will often come up empty.
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Accuracy issues: The data provided by free services can sometimes be incomplete or inaccurate.
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Privacy concerns: Some reverse phone lookup services ask for your own details, like your name, email address, or even payment information, before showing results. They might also log the fact that you searched for a specific number. So if you’re trying to see who called you, remember that you’re also sharing information about yourself. Always check the service’s privacy policy first and make sure you’re okay with how your data will be used.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/how-to-perform-a-reverse-phone-number-lookup-130004364.html?src=rss
