Are you being bothered by strange calls? Do you constantly receive calls from numbers you don't recognize? With the help of the Internet, you can track some information about who is calling, as long as you can see their number. If the number is blocked, you can contact your phone company and start a criminal investigation. See Step 1 below to learn how.
Steps
Step 1. Perform an Internet search on the phone in question
One of the quickest ways to trace the origin of the number is to perform an Internet search. If the number is publicly listed, chances are good it will appear in your search. At the very least, you should be able to determine the approximate location.
Step 2. On the landline, check the latest calls
If the call did not come from a private number or was not blocked, you should be able to find out which number you called. Otherwise, the chance of finding out which number you called is very small.
Step 3. Search for sites that provide a database of public numbers
Many let you know more about the number, showing your location and what service you work for.
Step 4. Make sure the number is for a pay phone
There are some online resources that list the number of payphones and their locations. Many of these directories are made and updated by communities, meaning they are not always 100% accurate. Some popular sites are:
- Payphone Project
- McPayphone
Step 5. There are online services that will provide you with phone number information, usually by paying an amount per month, through public data searches
You may be able to find this information on your own, but it may take a while.
Step 6. Activate call tracking with your service provider, even for blocked numbers
Most operators offer a tracking system for this type of situation. You may have to pay an extra fee to use this service, and you will not know the phone number or other information. Who will receive the information will be the Police, for investigation.
- After activating the service, enter the number the operator provides to trace the call after it is made. The operator will register the call and send the information to the Police.
- Be sure to note the time and date of each call, trying to get a feel for the caller and their words. This will help with the investigation.
Step 7. Hire a detective
The last option is to hire a private investigator to determine the name and address of the caller. Of course, this method should only be used as a last resort, and only if there is no public information available through the other possible resources.