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 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.
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 almost 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. Proceed to the search box and enter the number as a search 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. Besides, phone numbers aren’t directly listed on the internet unless 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 a search of their phone numbers on social media platforms can reveal more information about them. The only catch is that they must have a public profile for you to get 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’ll be charged a small fee, but overall, the service is 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.
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 generally include the caller’s name, address, additional contact information, social media profiles, employment history, and criminal records, among others. However, note that the accuracy and depth of information retrieved aren’t set in stone, as they vary from one service provider to the next. Some phone numbers may be unlisted or not publicly available, thereby resulting in limited or no information.
One service that truly lives up to its name is Nuwber. This people search engine boasts a database of 325 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 to reverse search the number by area code. For instance, if the number starts with the area code 260, then its owner is from Indiana.
Call the Number Directly
While this method might seem counterproductive, especially for users aiming to minimize interactions with unknown callers, it helps unmask the face behind a call. It’s the easiest and most direct 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.
