Finding the owner of a mobile number is complicated, as these numbers are not listed in public databases. You have a few options, especially if you get harassing calls that you can report to the police, but no method is guaranteed.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: For free
Step 1. Call the unknown number
Explain to the respondent that you have received calls from that number. Politely ask who it is. If you get your answer, you are done! Otherwise, try one of the methods below.
Try calling with a number other than yours. If you've called repeatedly and haven't received a response, the other person may not be responding voluntarily. Calling from a different number will help you eliminate this possibility
Step 2. Search public databases
If you are wrong about the number that is not mobile, you will probably find out from public information. Search the national White Pages or use a search engine to find the public database in your area.
Step 3. Use a search engine
If the owner of the number posted it on their blog or site, you may be able to find their name or company in the search results.
- Include the area code of the phone number you are looking for. Try different formats, such as XXX-XXXXXXX and (XXX) XXXX XXX.
- If your first search fails, try a few different search engines.
Step 4. Search a social networking site
Enter the phone number in the search bar of the social networking site. Many Facebook users in particular have privacy settings that still display their "private" number in public searches.
If you suspect it is someone you have relationships with online, search the site where you exchange information or chat with them, such as the site's forum
Step 5. Use a deep web search engine
Also called "invisible web" search engines, they are designed to find results that go beyond more conventional options.
Deep web engines are generally specialized, so you need to find one that is useful for your search. Try searching (on a regular search engine) for an index or guide to deep web search engines
Method 2 of 5: Paid
Step 1. Get started with free mobile search services
If you've already tried the free methods (as you should), you've probably already found advertisements for these services. Start trying the free services 'only'; they are unlikely to work, but it is already a first step.
'Don't' sign up for any free trial that asks for your credit card number or other personal information
Step 2. Evaluate these services with caution
Many reverse cell phone database websites where you pay a fee to conduct a search will try to scam you or give you useless information.
- Enter fake or familiar phone numbers to test for accuracy. Look for random strings of a couple of numbers (in the correct phone number format). If the search still gives "results", especially with the GPS location, it is probably a scam or joke site. Likewise, you can enter your phone number to see if the results are accurate.
- Search for comments on the company. An online search using the company name can reveal complaints from scammed customers. For an official search, you can search the records of the best business directories to find out the company's responses to customer complaints.
Step 3. Pay a fee for their service only after grueling free options
These sites typically perform the same searches that you did when you tried the free methods, so paying some money is very unlikely to yield new results and you can risk information stolen or charged to your card. credit.
Step 4. Hire a private investigator
Even after trying all the options above, you often still don't have the information you need. Hiring a private investigator is an expensive option, and we recommend that you research several options before choosing one. Make sure you have a quote and detailed information on the terms before hiring someone. A refund is often available in the event that the investigator cannot find the information you are looking for, but ask about it in advance.
Method 3 of 5: Find an Unidentified or Blocked Number
Step 1. Check the call log or caller ID
All cell phones will automatically identify most incoming calls. If you are on a land line (home phone), contact your phone provider to activate the caller ID display.
- Consult your phone manual or contact the manufacturer if you don't know how to check the log with the phone numbers of recent incoming calls on your mobile.
- There are ways to bypass caller ID or to display a wrong number. If the caller ID is unsuccessful, go to the following options.
Step 2. Ask for the "return call" service
Contact the telephone provider and subscribe to the "return of call" or "return of the last call" service. It may require an initial cost and / or a certain amount each time you use the service.
- The callback code varies by country and phone provider (and may not be available in all countries). Ask your service provider for the code or search the Internet for "return call code for [country]".
- In the United States, this service is also called * 69 (after the code used in that country).
- After the call you want to trace is finished, enter the return call code and you should hear a voice message reading that caller's phone number, with the option to return the call.
- In some regions, call return is available automatically. Additional fees may apply.
- Attention: In some regions (like California), call return will only return the last call received without telling you the phone number.
Step 3. Enable the "call trap" or "call tracing" feature
If you are receiving harassment repeat calls from an unknown number, you should contact your phone provider and ask if these services are available:
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Call trap- After requesting this service, write down the dates and times you receive the harassing phone calls for the next couple of weeks (or as long as your provider requires). Report this information to the telephone company, they will identify the harassing number and report it to law enforcement.
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Call tracing: enabled this function, pressing the relevant code after the malicious call, the phone number will be sent to the police. (This code in the US is * 57; the provider should tell you which code to use if you are in a different country.)
Trace Cell Phone Numbers Step 12Bullet2 - Call traps are usually free, while the call tracing service may have an additional cost. If the first feature is not available or if the harassment is severe, you can try to persuade your phone provider to offer you the tracking service for free.
Method 4 of 5: Avoid Scams
Step 1. Evaluate paid services carefully
Reverse cell phone lookup websites are notorious for scamming customers by failing to provide any information relevant to what you pay for or by voluntarily stealing customer credit card information.
Step 2. Look for reviews and complaints about the company online
The Better Business Bureau directory is a good place to check in addition to ordinary search engine queries.
Step 3. Never give payment information to an untrustworthy site
Do not enter your credit card number if the browser warns you that the site is insecure, if the site asks you to pay through a third party website that you have never heard of, or if the site seems "sketchy" and unprofessional.
- This includes "trial versions" which state that the card will not be charged.
- Try to find a service that allows you to pay with PayPal or another well-known third-party system.
Step 4. Never enter unnecessary personal information
The social security number and similar private information are never required for a legitimate phone number lookup service.
Method 5 of 5: Tracking the Location of a Cell Phone
Step 1. Track the location of your family
Any smartphone or regular phone with a GPS chip can be tracked. Here are some options for keeping track of your family's location at all times:
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Contact the cell phone provider to ask if they offer a monthly paid family monitoring plan. This may also include parental control options for minors.
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Install a GPS tracking app on family cell phones. Some applications allow the user to voluntarily share his location with friends, while others are intended for parents to monitor children. Browse the available apps on your phone or search online to find the app that fits your needs.
Trace Cell Phone Numbers Step 17Bullet2 - Install AccuTracking on non-smartphones. AccuTracking is one of the few third-party location trackers that works on simple cell phones. Check out their site to see which phone models it works with and for information on the monthly fee.
- If you are trying to track someone's location without their permission, install an app hider on your phone and use it to conceal the tracking app. Alternatively, you can put the tracking app in an obscured folder on your mobile phone to minimize the likelihood of finding it.
Step 2. Install an app to track your phone
If you are worried about losing your phone or having it stolen, there are many applications designed to allow you to track your phone's GPS location from a computer and / or prevent a thief from using it.
- Browse the phone app store or search online for a detection or anti-theft app that can work on your device.
- AccuTracking is one of the few services that can GPS-enabled non-smartphone cell phones.
Step 3. Find a lost phone
If you've already lost your phone and haven't previously installed any tracking software, you still have a chance to locate it:
- Many smartphone manufacturers can automatically locate the phone. Call customer service or search online for instructions for your model. If you have access to a computer, you will likely be able to track the location of the phone and / or set it to make a loud sound at regular intervals.
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Some tracking applications (like "Plan B" on Android) can be remotely downloaded to your phone from a computer. Make sure you do this before your smartphone's battery runs out.
Trace Cell Phone Numbers Step 19Bullet2 - Your cellular service provider can offer you paid GPS location by remotely activating your phone's GPS chip. This may be the only way to locate a non-smartphone cell phone.
Advice
- The first numbers of a phone number are often the prefix of a specific area. In the United States or Canada these are the first three numbers, in Italy they can be 2-4 numbers and in other countries 2-5 numbers. You can search for prefix locations on the network or in a telephone directory.
- If the number is from the United States or Canada, the fourth through sixth numbers represent the "exchange code". Searching for this code will allow you to further narrow down the location of the call.
