How to Determine Who Owns a Phone Number

At some point, we’ve all received a missed call notification from a number we don’t recognize. Out of sheer curiosity, some of us might call back to see what it’s all about. But if you’re like most people who value their privacy, you’d rather find out who the caller is without having to dial back and engage in a conversation.

For all you know, it could be a sales agent, telemarketer, long-lost friend, family member, or even a prankster on the other end of the line. Regardless, you don’t want to take a guess only to discover later that you were wrong, which is why it’s crucial to identify the caller first. After all, spam and unwanted calls are on the rise, with Truecaller recording an average of 2.1 billion calls every month in the US.

The good news is that there are several ways to uncover who stands behind the number without making a return call, some of which we’ll explore as you read further. Keep in mind that some of them are free, while others cost less than the price of a cup of coffee for each search.

Do a Reverse Phone Lookup

This method takes the cake when it comes to finding information about a person or business based on their phone number. It operates in contrast to what you would expect when using a traditional phone directory, which involves searching for a person’s name to obtain their phone number. You only need to input the number, and the service scans exhaustive databases—public records, phone directories, and other available sources—to compile detailed information related to it.

The compiled results typically include the caller’s name, address, additional contact information, social media profiles, employment history, and criminal records, among other details.

One service that genuinely lives up to its name is Nuwber. This people search engine boasts a database of 340 million phone numbers, and the phone lookup reports it provides are extensive, usually including:

· Personal details

· Social media profiles

· Additional contact information

· Family members

· Business records

· Financial and criminal records

· Location history

· Property history

· Professional licenses

· Bankruptcies

· Judgments, and much more

What’s more, it allows for reverse searching the number by area code. For instance, if the number starts with the area code 260, then its owner is from Indiana.

Run a Google Search

“Google is your friend,” they say, and this applies to almost anything, including looking up the identity of an unknown caller. One thing this search engine is notorious for is indexing nearly everything online, making it the best place to begin your search. For starters, you’d need to open any web browser of choice (Chrome, Safari, or Firefox) and head to Google.com. Go to the search box and type the number as your query.

Chances are, Google will display results that reveal the caller’s name, address, and even social media profiles, so you know who they are and what they look and sound like. The results are more accurate and quickly generated if the number is from a landline or a trustworthy organization. Additionally, phone numbers aren’t directly listed on the internet unless they are linked to a person, business, or website.

If the results aren’t accurate, you may need to modify your search query or use another technique.

Search Social Media

Many internet users leave a digital footprint, and searching their phone numbers on social media platforms can reveal more information about them. The only catch is that you must have a public profile for us to provide a comprehensive result. For example, if a caller’s number is linked to a fake Facebook page or not linked at all, you may not find any results.

For spam calls and robocalls, you could be lucky to find other users with similar complaints about the person, thus leaving behind a clue. The idea is to search through all the major social media networks, as a caller with zero presence on Facebook may have an active account on X.

Dial the *69 Short Code

Not all techniques on this list require the internet, as is the case with dialing *69, a telephone network feature code for tracing anonymous callers. You can use this code when you receive calls from such individuals. Even if they hang up or you choose not to answer, dialing the code activates the last-call return service, revealing details of the number and, if the caller is in a public database, their name and address.

Most telecom companies offer a dial-back option for you to return the call. In some cases, you may be charged a small fee; however, the service is generally free and can be accessed from any mobile phone. What’s more, it comes with caller ID blocking that allows you to block your identity from the unknown caller’s ID display. This means that you can call back without revealing your identity.

If you are constantly harassed or threatened by such calls, dial the *57 short code instead, which works like *69. However, in this case, it alerts your service provider to track the number and record all relevant metadata, which the local law enforcement can use to conduct an investigation and find the caller. Although this code isn’t typically free, it’s effective.

Call the Number Directly

While this method may seem counterproductive, especially for users aiming to minimize interactions with unknown callers, it helps reveal the identity behind a call. It’s the most straightforward approach, but then again, you risk calling someone you’d rather avoid, or the number might not be set up to receive calls. However, if maintaining anonymity is your priority, consider using *67 before dialing the number.

Conclusion

Remember, you can use any or all of the above methods, and we recommend choosing the ones that appeal to you most. In general, dialing *69, searching social media, doing a reverse phone lookup, running a Google search, and calling the number directly are all effective ways to reveal the owner of a phone number.