Frequent calls from unknown and unwanted numbers can be very frustrating. Sometimes, they can be intimidating, threatening, or scamming, leading to anger and fear.
Such frustrations have pushed many people to look for options to stop the calls or identify who stands behind them.
Whether an unknown call is meant to intimidate, threaten, or scam, knowing the caller’s identity gives relief. Besides, not every anonymous call has bad intentions.
Sometimes, it could be a long-lost friend or family member trying to reach out. So, whatever the case, identifying the owner of the number is critical.
8 Ways To Find Out The Identity Of A Caller Of An Unknown Number
The techniques are easy and fast. Here are the most effective ones:
1. Reverse Phone Number Lookup
Reverse phone number lookup is an online technique that gives information about phone numbers and who they are registered under.
The details provided include the full name, address, social media profiles of the caller, and much more.
Notable websites that offer reverse phone lookup services include Spokeo, Nuwber, and Whitepages.
When on a reverse phone number lookup website, all you need to do is enter the number, and the website will instantly return the details you need to know about the caller.
Some key things to consider when selecting a reverse phone number lookup service are:
- Find out if the site has an extensive database.
- Check customer reviews to determine effectiveness.
- Ensure the accuracy of the selected platform.
2. Caller ID Apps
Caller ID apps are downloadable software that helps find out the identity of the person ringing and the location they are calling from. That guarantees the security and safety of phone calls for users.
Some of the most prominent caller ID apps with a global outreach include Whoscall, Showcaller, and Truecaller.
3. Social Media Platforms
If you have a social media account, it’s another good way to know who is ringing you. Most people register their social media accounts using personal information like phone numbers.
When you’re rang from an unknown line, you can find out the owner through the search feature on the chosen social media platform.
Notable platforms where you can find someone’s identity using a phone number include Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn, among others.
4. Google Search
Well, this one may look obvious, but like any other search you conduct on Google, you can also find the owner of an unknown number. It is as easy as it sounds.
The benefit of this technique is that it will list all the websites where the number appears online.
When the number is traced, the search engine may also provide other personal details relating to the person seeking to reach you, including their social media profiles, personal blogs, and additional contact details.
5. Public Directories
Public directories provide information about individuals, companies, organizations, and other entities. The data is well-organized, easily accessible, and searchable.
A key benefit of using public directories is that they have extensive databases and are free to use. Directories can be both online and offline.
If online, the search is done over the internet on a specific website. If offline, you can use physical books, which could be tedious and time-consuming.
One of the disadvantages of this technique is that the most recent phone numbers may not be registered under it.
Thus, it is possible to look for unknown numbers and not find the one you need in public directories.
6. Last-Call Return
Try using the last-call return option before contacting the telephony service provider for information on the unknown number that rang you.
The code for last-call return is *69 in the United States. This code is known by different codes in different jurisdictions or depending on the service providers.
For example, in the United Kingdom, it’s *1471; in France and Israel, it’s *3131 and *42, respectively.
The code is a telecommunication feature offered to subscribers of a telephony service provider to help them identify unknown numbers.
The use of this code is provided for free by the service providers. However, a few could make a small charge. Here are a few tips for finding the unknown caller details using the last-call return feature:
- Step 1: Dial the code given for your jurisdiction. In some cases, the service will auto-activate. However, if that doesn’t happen, hit the call button.
- Step 2: Listen to the automated recording. It will tell you the details of the last person who rang you. It will also give you the caller’s identification details. If it’s someone you want to talk to, you’re free to ring back. If not, you can ignore or block them.
7. Ask the Caller About Their Identity
Asking the caller to identify themselves is one of the easiest approaches, but also a very risky one. That’s because you’ll have to pick up the call.
If you’re lucky to identify the person with their voice or the name they give you, then you can continue with the conversation. If not, stop engaging immediately.
The method can be beneficial when a relative or a friend rings you from a different number, probably because they lost their phone or the battery is drained.
8. Phone Carrier
Contacting your phone carrier is something to do as a last resort when all the other ways of finding an unknown ringer didn’t bring any results.
The technique takes much time and requires more paperwork than other approaches.
Phone carriers don’t provide information on personal numbers without an apparent reason.
That’s because phone companies are obligated to respect the privacy and security of their users’ data.
However, with the necessary authorization, wireless service providers may be willing to give you the caller’s details.
Conclusion
Calls from unknown numbers can bring a lot of discomfort. However, with the right methods, it’s easy to tell who rings you from an unknown number.
The ways identified above will help you quickly know a caller’s identity. The advice would be to try one method and move to the next one if the previous one didn’t work out.
