Reverse Phone Lookup:
Can You Really Find a Name from a Cell Phone Number?
Find Out Who's Behind ANY Phone Number!
One of the most annoying things in modern times is getting repeated phone calls from numbers you don’t recognize. Is it a telemarketer? Phone scam? A friend with a new number? That guy/girl you met last week? A collection agency? That’s why so many people try and find out who’s calling them – curiosity and safety are the number one reasons people search for reverse phone lookups.
This guide on reverse phone lookups is part of our series of guides on all topics relating to privacy, searching, and security online.
In this guide, we’re going to share with you everything we know about reverse lookups: How they work, what they’re good for, what about cell phones, and a lot more. This guide aims to be the most comprehensive, most accurate online guide about reverse phone number searches.
What is a Reverse Phone Lookup?
It’s another way of saying, get me the NAME of someone from a telephone number. In the olden days (before computers and cell phones), there were published reverse phone directories similar to phone books that were primarily used by law enforcement and private investigators. They were also known as cross directories. Like printed phonebook with white pages and yellow pages, these no longer exist, and have mostly moved online.
Why are all these people looking up phone numbers?
There are a number of reasons people look up numbers instead of answering the phone. In our experience, it comes down to three basic human drives: money, love, and fear.
Fear and Anger: Unfortunately, many people get harassed over the phone. Often their tormentors will not bother with private numbers (because people don’t answer these anymore), and instead use just regular phone numbers. In an effort to find out who is tormenting them, the victim needs to find out who owns the number. Once they get the personal information, including the name and address, they can then file a police complaint or other necessary action to get the bully to stop.
Love (or lack thereof): Cheating is probably the number one reason people are looking up numbers. In relationships with a history of mistrust or control issue, one side will often randomly check the phone of the other side. If there’s a pattern of calls to and from unknown numbers, they’ll want to check and see if their partner is cheating on them.
Money: Mostly this involves people dodging collection agencies and friends/relatives they owe money to. It gets to the point where they can’t answer a call they don’t know the answer to, so they have to lookup the number before answering in.
How Does a Reverse Phone Lookup Work?
There are two parts to how a reverse phone number lookup works, and where the information comes from.
The first part is the information that can be deduced from any phone number, as long as you have a relatively inexpensive up to date database.
That information is:
- The city and state of the area code.
- The city/location of the first three digits of the phone number.
- The original company that provisioned (owns) the phone number.
- Whether the phone number is a landline, a cell phone, or serves some other use.
- When the phone number first came in to use.
If you’re curious to test this out, you can use the free NPA-NXX search tool provided by Local Calling Guide.
If you want to learn more about how phone numbers in the US and Canada work, we suggest you read Wikipedia’s entry on the North American Numbering Plan.
The second part, the information about the name and address behind the phone number, is more complex. We gave it its own section:
Where does this Data Come from Anyway?
This is a tough question to answer, because it really depends on what type of phone we are talking about.
Let’s distinguish between a land line (the telephone that is hard wired in your house by the telephone company, if you still have one), VOIP (telephones that use internet technology, such as those provided by your cable provider or a company like Vonage) and Cell/Mobile phone numbers.
Historically, names and addresses for land lines were always available. If you remember calling 411 (Directory Assistance), you provided the full name and city for someone, and the operator (later replaced by a robot) gave you the phone numbers it had for that information. So, if you can go one way (name and address to phone), then it’s very easy to go the other way (phone to name and address). That’s where most of the information for Landlines comes from. It is usually provided to companies directly by the carriers. This is the same information provided to Caller ID Companies.
VOIP (Voice Over IP), is the type of technology used by most cable providers to give you phone service. VOIP companies are less integrated with directory assistance. If the VOIP subscriber (the person who bought the phone line from the cable/VOIP company), has asked to enable their caller ID, then there’s a better chance that this information will be publicly available.
Cellular/Mobile phones are the most difficult. There is no directory assistance for cell phones, and so the data has to come from a variety of places. Generally speaking, companies that sell reverse cell phone lookups for cell phone data buy this information in bulk from many various sources that have your cell phone number and name.
Can you Really Lookup a Cell Phone Number?
The short answer is, it depends. In our tests, we’ve found that anywhere from 60-80% of cell phone numbers on the various reverse phone lookup services will return a match. The longer someone has had a phone number, the stronger the chance that there will be information matching them to their number.
For prepaid phones, the match rate plummets, as these phones can be used almost completely anonymously.
What are the best reverse phone lookup services?
Zlookup claims to be the only free reverse phone lookup service on the internet other than a google search. The creators say they were inspired to help reduce phone abuse and enable people to find out who is behind anonymous phone calls, rather than by a desire to turn a profit.
To use the service, all you need to do is type in the full phone number you are attempting to lookup and click 'Name Lookup'. While we didn't have a 100% success rate looking up numbers with Zlookup, many numbers we tested actually brought up the correct name attached to the number, and the service appears to be legitimate.
NoCallerName is a paid reverse phone lookup service that requires registration to unlock a complete report, which will include all available information about the phone number, including the person's name phone carrier, location, current address, and more.
NoCallerName has two plans available: the Basic Plan, which costs $24.95 a month and comes with 50 credits, and the Pro Plan, which costs $44.95 a month and comes with 100 credits. As one search costs one credit, it comes to about $0.50 per phone number search for both plans. Users also have the option of buying 2, 5, 10, or 40 credits at a time rather than subscribing.
Spokeo is more than a reverse phone lookup service. In addition to giving the option of searching a phone number, users can also enter a name, physical address, or email address to learn more about an individual. A free search will yield some basic information about the person, but users must register in order to unlock a full profile, which includes personal details, contact information, family background, court records, and even photos.
Individual Spokeo reports can be unlocked for $0.95, or you can purchase a 1-month membership for the discount rate of $19.95 a month, or 3 months for $14.95 a month.
Privacy Concerns
There are two main issues in reverse phone lookup privacy:
- Removing your number: You’ll need to contact each and every service online and have them remove your number. This is a difficult job but it’s the only way we know to opt out of these services.
- Mobile Apps: There are many mobile apps that claim to provide reverse phone services automatically. Be careful: They will often upload your entire contact directory to their database. That’s how they identify most of the numbers.
What if you can’t get the number online?
If you are being harassed by a scammer, contact local law enforcement. File a complaint, and see a lawyer about getting a subpoena.
If you need the number for other reasons, and you’re prepared to really pay out for it (usually at least $500, in our research), when we suggest hiring a local private investigator to assist you.
One of the most annoying things in modern times is getting repeated phone calls from numbers you don’t recognize. Is it a telemarketer? Phone scam? A friend with a new number? That guy/girl you met last week? A collection agency? That’s why so many people try and find out who’s calling them – curiosity and safety are the number one reasons people search for reverse phone lookups.
This guide on reverse phone lookups is part of our series of guides on all topics relating to privacy, searching, and security online.
Table of Contents:
- What is a Reverse Phone Lookup
- Why Are All These People Searching For Numbers?
- How Does it Work
- Where do they get the information?
- Cell Phone Lookups
- Best Reverse Phone Lookup Services
- Privacy Issues
- What If You Can’t Find the Number?
In this guide, we’re going to share with you everything we know about reverse lookups: How they work, what they’re good for, what about cell phones, and a lot more. This guide aims to be the most comprehensive, most accurate online guide about reverse phone number searches.
What is a Reverse Phone Lookup?
It’s another way of saying, get me the NAME of someone from a telephone number. In the olden days (before computers and cell phones), there were published reverse phone directories similar to phone books that were primarily used by law enforcement and private investigators. They were also known as cross directories. Like printed phonebook with white pages and yellow pages, these no longer exist, and have mostly moved online.
Why are all these people looking up phone numbers?
There are a number of reasons people look up numbers instead of answering the phone. In our experience, it comes down to three basic human drives: money, love, and fear.
Fear and Anger: Unfortunately, many people get harassed over the phone. Often their tormentors will not bother with private numbers (because people don’t answer these anymore), and instead use just regular phone numbers. In an effort to find out who is tormenting them, the victim needs to find out who owns the number. Once they get the personal information, including the name and address, they can then file a police complaint or other necessary action to get the bully to stop.
Love (or lack thereof): Cheating is probably the number one reason people are looking up numbers. In relationships with a history of mistrust or control issue, one side will often randomly check the phone of the other side. If there’s a pattern of calls to and from unknown numbers, they’ll want to check and see if their partner is cheating on them.
Money: Mostly this involves people dodging collection agencies and friends/relatives they owe money to. It gets to the point where they can’t answer a call they don’t know the answer to, so they have to lookup the number before answering in.
How Does a Reverse Phone Lookup Work?
There are two parts to how a reverse phone number lookup works, and where the information comes from.
The first part is the information that can be deduced from any phone number, as long as you have a relatively inexpensive up to date database.
That information is:
- The city and state of the area code.
- The city/location of the first three digits of the phone number.
- The original company that provisioned (owns) the phone number.
- Whether the phone number is a landline, a cell phone, or serves some other use.
- When the phone number first came in to use.
If you’re curious to test this out, you can use the free NPA-NXX search tool provided by Local Calling Guide.
If you want to learn more about how phone numbers in the US and Canada work, we suggest you read Wikipedia’s entry on the North American Numbering Plan.
The second part, the information about the name and address behind the phone number, is more complex. We gave it its own section:
Where does this Data Come from Anyway?
This is a tough question to answer, because it really depends on what type of phone we are talking about.
Let’s distinguish between a land line (the telephone that is hard wired in your house by the telephone company, if you still have one), VOIP (telephones that use internet technology, such as those provided by your cable provider or a company like Vonage) and Cell/Mobile phone numbers.
Historically, names and addresses for land lines were always available. If you remember calling 411 (Directory Assistance), you provided the full name and city for someone, and the operator (later replaced by a robot) gave you the phone numbers it had for that information. So, if you can go one way (name and address to phone), then it’s very easy to go the other way (phone to name and address). That’s where most of the information for Landlines comes from. It is usually provided to companies directly by the carriers. This is the same information provided to Caller ID Companies.
VOIP (Voice Over IP), is the type of technology used by most cable providers to give you phone service. VOIP companies are less integrated with directory assistance. If the VOIP subscriber (the person who bought the phone line from the cable/VOIP company), has asked to enable their caller ID, then there’s a better chance that this information will be publicly available.
Cellular/Mobile phones are the most difficult. There is no directory assistance for cell phones, and so the data has to come from a variety of places. Generally speaking, companies that sell reverse cell phone lookups for cell phone data buy this information in bulk from many various sources that have your cell phone number and name.
Can you Really Lookup a Cell Phone Number?
The short answer is, it depends. In our tests, we’ve found that anywhere from 60-80% of cell phone numbers on the various reverse phone lookup services will return a match. The longer someone has had a phone number, the stronger the chance that there will be information matching them to their number.
For prepaid phones, the match rate plummets, as these phones can be used almost completely anonymously.
What are the best reverse phone lookup services?
Zlookup claims to be the only free reverse phone lookup service on the internet other than a google search. The creators say they were inspired to help reduce phone abuse and enable people to find out who is behind anonymous phone calls, rather than by a desire to turn a profit.
To use the service, all you need to do is type in the full phone number you are attempting to lookup and click ‘Name Lookup’. While we didn’t have a 100% success rate looking up numbers with Zlookup, many numbers we tested actually brought up the correct name attached to the number, and the service appears to be legitimate.
NoCallerName is a paid reverse phone lookup service that requires registration to unlock a complete report, which will include all available information about the phone number, including the person’s name phone carrier, location, current address, and more.
NoCallerName has two plans available: the Basic Plan, which costs $24.95 a month and comes with 50 credits, and the Pro Plan, which costs $44.95 a month and comes with 100 credits. As one search costs one credit, it comes to about $0.50 per phone number search for both plans. Users also have the option of buying 2, 5, 10, or 40 credits at a time rather than subscribing.
Spokeo is more than a reverse phone lookup service. In addition to giving the option of searching a phone number, users can also enter a name, physical address, or email address to learn more about an individual. A free search will yield some basic information about the person, but users must register in order to unlock a full profile, which includes personal details, contact information, family background, court records, and even photos.
Individual Spokeo reports can be unlocked for $0.95, or you can purchase a 1-month membership for the discount rate of $19.95 a month, or 3 months for $14.95 a month.
Privacy Concerns
There are two main issues in reverse phone lookup privacy:
- Removing your number: You’ll need to contact each and every service online and have them remove your number. This is a difficult job but it’s the only way we know to opt out of these services.
- Mobile Apps: There are many mobile apps that claim to provide reverse phone services automatically. Be careful: They will often upload your entire contact directory to their database. That’s how they identify most of the numbers.
What if you can’t get the number online?
If you are being harassed by a scammer, contact local law enforcement. File a complaint, and see a lawyer about getting a subpoena.
If you need the number for other reasons, and you’re prepared to really pay out for it (usually at least $500, in our research), when we suggest hiring a local private investigator to assist you.