A reverse phone lookup service is today’s answer to finding out who is calling you without answering. It’s pretty easy for finding numbers coming from a landline, and it’s usually free. Identifying callers using cell phones, however, is a little more complex, and might come with a price.

 

How Does It Work?

The best way to find out where a phone call came from will mostly depend on whether the number is coming from a landline or a cell phone caller. Before cell phones, numbers were traced through directories provided by major telecom companies. Now, you can trace the number on the web if it’s from a landline, or use an app or service online if it’s from a cell phone or landline.

3 Pieces of Information You Can Find

1) Finding a Name

If you’re receiving a call from a landline, you can easily go online to identify the name of the person or business associated with the number. That’s because phone companies that provide landlines still maintain directories of all registered numbers. WhitePages.com is the online phone book for landline numbers.

It’s very easy to find the name of a landline caller through WhitePages.com. Simply type in the number in the search bar on the homepage and you will find the name of the person or business. To find the name of a caller using a cell phone, you can use an app or one of the many online services.

 

2) Finding an Address

When tracing a call from a landline, the address of the caller is almost always listed along with the name of the caller or business. With whatever service you use to trace a cellular number, the address of the call will show up in the same way. Lookup services sometimes show former addresses.

3) Finding a Location

WhitePages.com will find you the address and zip code associated with the number and sometimes list the neighborhood. Some services that trace cell numbers can pinpoint the caller’s geolocation. Paid options might provide you with email addresses, social media profiles, and the caller’s photo.

Getting on the Do Not Call List

If avoiding unwanted calls is your main concern, your best bet is to get your number on the National Do Not Call Registry. You can register online at donotcall.gov. Look for a confirmation reply in your email once you do so.