Finding the owner of a cell phone number is tricky as these numbers are not listed in public databases. You have a few options, especially if you're being pestered with calls, but there's no single method that's 100% guaranteed.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Finding a Phone Number for Free
Step 1. Call the number
Explain to whoever answers that you have been receiving calls from this number. Politely ask who it is. If the person says, you don't need to continue anymore! If she doesn't, try one of the methods below.
Ask a friend to call or use their phone. If you called repeatedly and did not get an answer, it is possible that the other person is choosing not to answer your calls. Calling from a friend's phone can eliminate this possibility
Step 2. Search public listings
If you know the number is not for a cell phone, it should probably be publicly available. Look in the phone book or on a research site.
Step 3. Use a survey site
The number owner or responsible company must have posted the number on their personal or corporate website.
- Include the area code of the phone number you are looking for. Try various formats, such as XX XXXX-XXXX, or (XX) XXXX-XXXX.
- If the first search doesn't return results, try other search sites.
Step 4. Search on a social network
Enter the phone number in the social network search bar. Many Facebook users have privacy settings that still show their "private" number in public searches.
If you suspect it's someone you've had contact with online, you can look at the website where you exchanged information with the person
Step 5. Search using a deep web search engine
Also called "invisible web" search sites, they are designed to access results that most popular options ignore.
Deep web search sites are usually specialized, so you'll need to find one that's useful for your search. Try searching (on a regular search engine) for an index or guide to deep web search sites
Method 2 of 5: Paying to Identify the Number for You
Step 1. Start with reverse cell phone search services
If you've tried the free methods, you've probably come across advertisements for such services. Just start by trying the free services; they probably won't work, but they're an easy first step.
DO NOT sign up for any free trial that asks for your credit card number or other personal information
Step 2. Carefully evaluate the services
There are many sites with "reverse phone books" that charge a fee to do the search and that will deceive you, or give you useless information.
- Insert a fake phone or one you know to test accuracy. Look for some phones (with the correct format). If the search returns "results", especially the position on the map, it's probably a joke, or a fraud. Likewise, you can enter your phone number and see if the results are accurate.
- Look for company reviews. An online search for the company name can reveal complaints from misled users. For a more authoritative perspective, you can look for more detailed records of the company's responses to consumer complaints.
Step 3. Pay a fee for the service only after you run out of free options
These sites generally do the same searches that you tried using the free methods, so paying them is very unlikely to get you any new results and you could have your information stolen, or be overcharged on your credit card.
Step 4. Hire a private detective
Even after you've tried all of the above, it's possible that you still don't have all the information you need. Hiring a private detective is an expensive option, and you should research all available options before choosing one. Make sure you have a job completion estimate and detailed information before hiring anyone. Refunds are an option in case the detective can't find the information you're looking for, but talk about it in advance.
Method 3 of 5: Identifying an Unknown or Blocked Number
Step 1. Check the call log, or caller ID
All cell phones automatically detect most incoming calls. If you are on a landline, contact your telephone service provider to enable caller ID.
- Consult your phone manual, or contact the manufacturer if you are unsure how to check the call log on your cell phone.
- There are ways to bypass the caller ID, or even make it display a wrong number. If the caller ID doesn't work, go to the next options.
Step 2. Ask for the "callback" service
Contact your telephone service provider and purchase the "callback" or "last callback" service. This service may require an initial fee and/or whenever you use it.
- The callback code is country and telephone service dependent (and may not be available in all regions). Ask your telephone service provider for the code, or search the internet for "callback code for [your country]".
- In the United States, this service is also called *69 (due to the code used in that country).
- After the call you want to trace has ended, enter the callback code and you should hear a voice message indicating the caller's phone number, with the option to call back.
- In some regions, callback is available automatically. Some fees may still apply.
- Warning: In some US regions (such as California), callback will only return the last call without giving you the phone number.
Step 3. Enable the "call tracking" function
If you are receiving repeated annoying calls from an unknown number, contact your telephone service to find out if any such service is available:
- call trap: After requesting this service, note the dates and times you receive unwanted calls for a period of 15 days (or as much as your phone provider indicates). Once you report this information to the provider, they will identify the unwanted number and contact the authorities.
Trace Cell Phone Numbers Step 12Bullet1 - Call tracking: Once this service is enabled, press the call tracking code after the unwanted call and the person's number will be sent to the authorities. code that you must use in a different country).
Trace Cell Phone Numbers Step 12Bullet2 - Call traps are generally free, while call tracking may come at an additional cost. If the call trap is not available, or if the harassment is severe, you may be able to convince your phone provider to give you a free call tracking service.
Method 4 of 5: Preventing Fraud
Step 1. Carefully evaluate paid services
"Reverse cell phone lookup" sites are notable for misleading their customers, either by not providing useful information for money paid, or by stealing the customer's credit card information.
Step 2. Search online for reviews and complaints about the company
Search Complain Here is a good place to look beyond the common search engines.
Step 3. Never provide information to an untrusted website
Do not enter your credit card number if the browser warns you that the site is not secure, if the site asks you to pay using another site you have never heard of in your life, or if the site looks very "sloppy" and amateur.
- This includes "free trials" that say your credit card will not be charged.
- Try to find a service that allows you to pay using PayPal, or another well-known online payment system.
Step 4. Never enter unnecessary personal information
Your ID number and other private information will never be required by a legitimate phone search service.
Method 5 of 5: Tracking the Location of a Cell Phone
Step 1. Track the location of your family members
Any smartphone, or regular cell phone with a GPS chip can be tracked. Here are some options for tracking your family's location at any time:
- Contact your cell phone provider to ask if they offer a family tracking plan for an additional monthly fee. That plan may also come with parental controls.
Trace Cell Phone Numbers Step 17Bullet1 - Install a tracker app on your family's smartphones. Some apps allow the user to voluntarily share their location with friends, while others are designed for parents to locate their children. Browse your mobile's app store, or do an online search to find an app that meets your needs.
Trace Cell Phone Numbers Step 17Bullet2 - Install AccuTracking on common cell phones. AccuTracking is one of the few tracking programs that work on non-smartphone phones. See the program's website to find out which cell phone models it works on and also find information about the service's monthly fee.
- If you are trying to track someone's location without the person's permission, install an app hider on their phone and use that app to hide the tracking app. Alternatively, you can place the tracking app in a very obscure folder to minimize the chances of the person finding the app.
Step 2. Install an app to track your own cell phone
If you are worried about losing your cell phone, or being stolen, there are many apps designed to track your cell phone's location using a computer and/or prevent a thief from using it.
- Browse your phone's app store, or search online for an anti-theft app that works on your device.
- AccuTracking is one of the few services that can track GPS-enabled cell phones.
Step 3. Find a lost cell phone
If you've lost your phone and haven't installed any tracking apps before, you still have a chance of locating it:
- Many smartphone manufacturers can automatically locate your phone. Call customer service, or look online for instructions for your device model. If you have access to a computer, you can probably track your phone's location and/or set it to make loud noises at regular intervals.
- Some tracking apps (like Android's "Plan B") can be remotely downloaded to your mobile phone from a computer. Make sure you do this before your smartphone runs out of battery.
Trace Cell Phone Numbers Step 19Bullet2 - Your telephone service provider may offer GPS location for a fee by remotely activating your GPS chip. This may be your only option for finding a cell phone other than a smartphone.
Tips
- The four to six numbers on a US or Canadian phone represent the exchange code. Searching for this code will further reduce the search for the person's location.
- The first three numbers on a US or Canadian phone are called area codes. In other countries, the area code can be between 2 and 5 digits long. You can search by area code online, or in a phone book.