Is there an unrecognized number on your caller ID? Are you worried that it could be a bill collector, a telemarketer, or a stalker? It could also be a wrong number, a long-lost acquaintance, or maybe even a secret admirer. Unfortunately, you won’t know the answer to this mystery until you call the number, or secretly perform a cell phone directory lookup. It’s easier than you think, and it only takes a few seconds of your time.
The easiest way to perform a reverse phone lookup is to use a reverse phone lookup search engine. Entering the term “reverse phone lookup” into a general search engine, such as Google, will generate tens of thousands of results, and it can be confusing at first trying to choose the right one. The simplest thing to do is pick the entry at the top of the list and try that one first.
If you want to practice first, just use your own number. (It’s no different than Googling your own name. Just admit it, we’ve all done it.) If you choose an entry at the top of the list of the search results, you will probably see entries from whitepages.com and intelius.com. If you enter a phone number into either of these sites, you will be able to find out whether the phone number belongs to a landline or a cell phone, and the geographical location.
If the number is a landline and it is published, the name the phone number is registered to will probably be displayed for free. If it’s not, try a different site and search again. If the number is a cell phone or an unpublished landline, then you will most likely be able to determine the location and carrier information for free, but that’s all. If you want the name of the person that the number belongs to, be prepared to pay a fee. Companies usually charge fees of around $1 to $20 per number, although some offer a monthly subscription service for people who might need more frequent reverse phone number lookups.
One might wonder, “Why do I have to pay for this information?” The simplest answer is that the companies that allow you to perform reverse phone lookups are usually data warehouses, and they exist solely for the purpose of searching and storing every possible bit of personal information they can about everyone. Then, when someone wants that information, the company releases it to the requester for a fee. They release public information for free as sort of a teaser. In-depth, or non-public information, has a price on it.
If you have a smart phone and want to use it perform reverse phone lookups there’s an app for that. A search of “reverse phone lookup” on iTunes will reveal several apps, including one created by whitepages.com. This app will give you the same information a web based search will, but without the hassle of opening a browser. The app is free, but according to the users who have posted comments on their page, it will usually cost $1.99 to reveal the name associated with an unlisted landline or any cell phone number.
The operators of the BeenVerified website have also created a free iTunes app. In addition to providing the name, carrier and location information, it provides users with the ability to comment on any number they choose. If the number belongs to a telemarketer or a scam artist, it can be reported using the app and then seen by other users. A quick search on iTunes will provide more information.
There is no need to wonder who is on the other end of an unrecognized number. A reverse phone lookup is a quick and easy way to find out most, if not all, of the information you want to know. In most cases it’s free, and when there is a charge, it’s usually reasonable if you choose the right site. Stop wondering, and start searching!