A reverse phone lookup can find an address, name, and other details related to a phone number by splitting the number's information into two parts. The first part uses the phone's area code (the first three numbers in a telephone number) to determine the caller's location. The date the phone was first used and the type of phone number are also details revealed in the first part.
The second part of a phone number search is more comprehensive as the reverse phone lookup tool performs an in-depth search into all public records associated with the number. A reverse phone lookup tool can get information such as name, address, social media profiles, employment or business history, criminal history, and credit history.
It is possible to use search engines like Google and Bing to find information related to a phone number. Unfortunately, free search platforms may not offer accurate, up-to-date data since some phone users may change numbers frequently. Also, scam callers often use fake numbers generated online, which search engines cannot easily detect. However, accurate details like names and addresses connected to a phone number can be found through a reverse phone lookup.
Choose a Reliable Reverse Phone Lookup Tool
Individuals should first choose the best reverse phone number lookup platform to fit their budget and needs. While some phone lookup services are free, others are accessible to subscribers. Free phone search services primarily provide basic details that persons can use to begin a more in-depth search. Keep in mind that free platforms rely on alternative revenue-generating strategies like adverts or forced sign-ups. As such, they may not be entirely safe to use, and the information gathered may not be precise.
Apart from helping a person find an address, a paid reverse phone lookup makes it easier to find someone’s relative, business, and past criminal history. Many services allow individuals to perform more searches within the subscription time. Therefore, choosing a premium reverse lookup tool may not be necessary for persons searching for a single number.
Search and Find the Information You Need
Reverse phone lookups often provide a search bar or a section for entering the phone number. Simply type the number and click ‘Enter’ to complete a search. Users can narrow the search by providing more details related to the telephone number.
Why to Use a Reverse Phone Lookup
While there are various reasons to perform a reverse phone search, many individuals do so to identify the caller or sender of a suspicious call or text message. Identifying a suspicious call can help people avoid phone scams. Phone scams are rampant in the US, with scammers looking for new ways to defraud others. According to a recent report from the Federal Trade Commission, 1 in 5 fraud reports in 2021 involves phone calls.
Examples of scam calls include imposter calls, lottery calls, COVID-19 phone scams, and government grant scams. Individuals who get calls from unknown persons asking for money are advised to complete a phone lookup to get significant details of the caller. Then, they can submit these details to the nearest police or file a complaint with the FTC.
Apart from phone scams, people can use reverse phone search to find information on suspicious persons. Those involved in online dating can also use a people search tool to find cell phone numbers related to other users. While some reverse phone lookup tools only provide specific searches, others allow users to find all related information on a phone number.
Reverse phone lookup tools help people find personal details of callers using their phone numbers. Generally, a telephone number contains basic information such as the city or state where the caller is located and the network provider that issued the phone number. With a cell phone number lookup, individuals can find more details like the caller's name, location, social media profile, business history, email, and relatives.
A good phone lookup service allows customers to verify the identities of telemarketers, phone scammers, and wrong callers. The tool gathers resources from public databases and search engines to get personal details about a phone number user.
How Does a Reverse Phone Lookup Work?
Information Found with a Reverse Phone Lookup
A reverse phone lookup can generate a lot of information. Some of that data can include social media profiles, general location, full name, emails, and business names.
Find a Person's Social Media by Phone Number
Individuals can find social media by phone number using a reverse phone lookup. Meanwhile, some social network platforms offer a built-in search tool for users to find social media by phone number. Others allow you to sync the phone contacts on the social media app to find the social media user with the phone number.
Find a Person's Name with Phone Number
An excellent way to know a scam caller's name is by using a reverse search tool to find name with a phone number. Many phone lookup websites boast access to multiple public records, making it easy for them to offer search services.
Find an Email Address by Phone Number
Interested persons can use reverse phone lookups to find email addresses by phone number. This is important for business partners or prospective clients who need to send formal messages but only have the person's telephone line.
Find a Business Name by Phone Number
Individuals can discover illegal, automated business calls using reverse phone lookup tools to find business names by phone number. Several reverse phone number services have access to an extensive database of business operators in the US. For instance, individuals can enter the phone number on the Better Business Bureau search to find a business name related to the number.
Where Does the Data from a Reverse Phone Search Come from?
Generally, the source of information provided by reverse phone number platforms depends on the phone number type. The three main phone numbers used by individuals are landlines, cell phone numbers, and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) numbers. While landlines use physical wire connections, cell phones use wireless connections. VoIP, also known as virtual phone numbers, uses internet connections to send and receive calls.
Landlines
Personal data from landlines have generally always been public information. Anyone could find a person's landline by calling 411 or directory assistance to ask the operator. Obtaining data for a private cell phone number is a new challenge. Most reverse phone lookup websites start by gathering information from public records like criminal records, court records, and property deeds.
Cell Phone Numbers
Other phone number lookup organizations partner with top mobile network providers. Telephone carriers often register their customers' names, addresses, and other personal information. Afterward, they share this information with their partners. Lastly, some organizations that perform reverse phone lookups also buy marketing lists from independent data brokers. These lists contain the contact details of persons signed up to receive promotional text messages and emails.
VoIP Numbers
Obtaining personal information associated with a virtual phone number is easy, but tricky. A VoIP provider often gets information from users who have enabled their caller ID. However, some VoIP systems allow users to change their caller ID before calls. As such, personal information related to a virtual phone number may not be accurate.
Reverse Phone Search and Data Privacy
Generally, phone companies can gather users' information for statistical purposes. Telecommunications companies can also disclose these details to third-party organizations like reverse phone search websites. Using a reverse phone lookup tool to find details of unknown callers is also legal.
However, it is unlawful for local or wireless phone companies to offer customers' phone details to private vendors without their permission. In addition, phone number search services that hack private numbers and use them for marketing without approval violate their privacy. Phone users can protect their privacy by using the resources provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Also, customers can include their number in the National Do Not Call Registry to avoid robocalls from telemarketers. Including cell phone numbers on the registry will quickly help users to recognize companies violating their data privacy.
Phone users can report violators by filing a complaint online or by calling the FCC at 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322). The FCC also welcomes reports sent via mail to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
45 L Street Northeast
Washington, DC 20554
