How to perform a reverse phone number lookup

In an age of constant communication, receiving calls or unknown messages has become increasingly common. Whether it’s a missed call for unfamiliar numbers, a potential scam or a wrong phone number, performing a reverse phone number lookup can help you identify the caller. You can start your search using the free tools from Google or WhitePages (such as WhitePages), but if you struggle to find the people behind the numbers, paid services (such as Spokeo or have been verified) may give you more details. In this guide, I will show you how each option works, along with some tips to improve your chances of getting accurate results.

What is reverse phone number search?

Although this may sound like a juggling word, it is often called “reverse phone number lookup” is really just a service that allows you to search for information about phone numbers. By entering numbers into the lookup tool, you can find details such as the caller name, its location, or even a social media profile or related email address. This can be especially useful when handling unwanted calls, checking the legitimacy of a business, or reconnecting with someone you have lost contact with.

Free Options

For many, a quick and free approach is enough to reveal basic information about phone numbers. You can do this:

1. Search with Google

The easiest (usually the most efficient) way is to use Google. By typing your phone number into the search bar, you can discover lists, social media profiles, business registrations, or forum posts related to that number. This is a quick way to do without dedicated services.

• hint: Put the phone number in the quote mark to search for the exact number.

• Example search: “+44 123 456 7890” or “123-456-7890”

2. Check the online directory

Several free online directories offer phone number search services. These are often collected from publicly sourced data such as government registries and social media platforms. Examples include:

• White page: Provides limited free access data, which can display basic information such as location or operators.

• TrueCaller: Known for its extensive community-based database, TrueCaller helps identify unknown numbers based on user reports.

To use these tools, you simply enter your phone number into the search bar. Some sites offer other advanced features, but basic search is free.

3. Social Media Search

Social media platforms can also be a valuable resource for tracking information about phone numbers. Searching for numbers on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram may result in user profiles associated with it. Many people include their contact information in the social media BIOS, which can help you identify callers.

Subscription-based reverse phone number search service

Although free services can be helpful, they may not always provide comprehensive details, especially for mobile phone numbers or those associated with private listings. For more detailed information, subscription-based services can be provided, providing a wider range of data and improving accuracy. The following services are priced at less than $25 per month; however, depending on the service and the features it provides, you may expect to pay more or less. Here are some popular choices:

1. Spokeo

Spokeo provides reverse phone lookup services that can help you discover detailed information about the caller. It searches social networks, public records and other online databases to provide names, addresses and even criminal backgrounds (if applicable).

• How it works: Enter the phone number and Spokeo will pull out the available records. A subscription ($14.95 per month) is required to fully access the report.

2. Intelius

Intelius is another service that provides reverse phone lookup services, which recognizes landlines, mobile phone numbers and even VoIP numbers. You will get a detailed report containing the person’s name, address, and maybe even his email address.

• Subscription Cost: Pricing starts at about $1.99 per lookup, although there are multiple searched packages.

3. Verified

BEADERFIED is a popular background checking service that provides a directory of phone numbers you can search for as well as other public record searches. It can discover information such as a person’s criminal background, social media profiles, and more.

• How it works: Enter the phone number and be verified will provide a detailed report. Subscription required ($23.98 per month) to fully access.

How to use reverse phone number to find a service

Finding services using reverse phone numbers is usually simple. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

1. Select a service: Determine that you want to use a free or paid service based on the details of the information you want.

2. Enter the phone number: Enter the phone number into the search bar to make sure the correct country code is included (if needed).

3. View the results: Depending on the service, you may see information such as the name, location, phone carrier, or social media profile associated with that number.

4. Access other information (optional): If you are using a paid service, you can access detailed reports, including criminal history, address history, and more.

Things to remember when looking up using reverse phone number

While reverse phone lookup services can be very useful, they also have some limitations:

1. Not all numbers are listed: Reverse mobile search tools search public databases, which are collections of phone number records that are accessible to anyone. These usually include shared landlines or cell phone numbers. Some numbers, especially on dedicated networks such as university campuses, large factories, or internal telephone systems of companies, are retained in these databases. These private network numbers may only work inside the network and may not be accessible from outside anyway, so the lookup will usually be empty.

2. Accuracy issues: The data provided by the free service may sometimes be incomplete or inaccurate.

3. Privacy Issues: Before the results are displayed, some reverse phone lookup services require your own details such as your name, email address, and even payment information. They may also be able to record the fact that you search for a specific number. So if you want to see who calls you, remember that you also share information about yourself. Always check the service’s privacy policy first and ensure how the data is used.