When an unknown phone number calls you, the chances are high that you immediately start to worry. Nowadays, scammers and ill-wishers are all around us, and if there is a way for you to protect yourself from such people, you should definitely take advantage of it.
Thankfully, the truth can be just a few clicks away. Below, you will find out what resources you can use to unveil the identity of the person behind the phone number for free.
Why Uncover the Owner of the Phone Number?
Safeguarding Against Scams
Over 60% of all US phone calls are spam or robocalls. And though those can be harmless, feeding into these calls can have terrible results for the consumers. In fact, nearly 70 million Americans reported losing money from phone scams last year, and, unfortunately, these numbers just keep growing.
To protect yourself from fraud, you might want to not pick up unknown phone numbers until you have had a chance to run them through a reverse phone lookup service.
By using such a tool, you can quickly find out whether the company that’s calling you is legitimate or not.
Finding Lost Connections
Of course, reverse phone lookups can be used for positive things as well. If you have lost touch with the people you once knew, you can use the tool to gather more information about your friends from the past.
You might, for example, find out that the person lives right next to you, and this can become a reason to rebuild the lost connection.
By the way, some programs allow you to use not only the phone number of the person to discover more information about the individual but also their name or address. So, even if you have lost the number of your distant relative or former colleague, you might still be able to find some relevant information about him or her.
How to Uncover the Owner of the Cell Phone Number for Free
There are quite a few different tools that can help you find out who’s calling you for free.
Number Tracker
Number Tracker Pro is basically a good-old phone directory that has been automated. All you would have to do is type in the number to get instant access to the detailed personal information of the caller.
You might be able to find out the full name, age, and gender of the phone number owner, as well as his or her social media accounts, current address, relatives’ contact info, and a lot more.
CocoLookup
CocoLookup is a search engine that allows you to use not only phone numbers but also names and addresses.
Unlike a lot of other reverse phone lookups, CocoFinder can provide in-depth information about the person, including their photos, criminal records, traffic tickets, sex offender data, and even friends and dates.
USPhoneLookup
With this reverse number search tool, you’ll get to discover the name, age, home address, email address, education, job title, and social media profiles of the caller for free.
The website also has a convenient phone directory that you can use to search for phone numbers by area code.
WhoseNumber
WhoseNumber has a newbie-friendly interface and a 24/7 support team that can help you, in case you’re experiencing any difficulties.
By typing in only the phone number of the caller, you’ll be able to find out their name, address, criminal history report, and what their business is (which is convenient for those who want to avoid telemarketers).
Things to Remember When Using Free Number Lookups
Even though free phone number lookups can be quite handy, they come with their own limitations that you should be aware of:
- Limited information
Free services typically provide only basic information about the owner of the phone number, like the name or address. More detailed information can often be hidden behind a paywall.
- Accuracy
Though the most popular number lookups try to update their database regularly, there is always a chance that the information you’d be provided will be incorrect or outdated.
- Privacy concerns
Some services might end up tracking your searches or sharing your data with third parties, so before you use such a tool, make sure that the company takes your privacy seriously.
- Issues with cell phone numbers
There are free reverse phone lookups that work well only with landline numbers and have trouble with cell phone numbers.
Ideally, you would want to explore the website that provides free phone lookups before typing in any information. Make sure that the site is secure and that it works with cell phone numbers (not only landlines). To make sure that you get the most accurate information possible, use a few free services and then compare the results.
Is Uncovering the Owner of a Phone Number Legal?
There is nothing illegal about performing a reverse phone number search.
Do bear in mind, however, that the information that you’re going to acquire cannot be used to stalk, harass, or otherwise harm the owner of the phone number. Furthermore, the data should not be used to determine credit or employment eligibility. And it goes without saying that publishing the results of the reverse phone lookup on public platforms might lead to severe consequences.
But as long as you’re using the tools to ensure your own safety or to find a person from your past, you should be good.
0 Comments