Published : April 10, 2025Have you ever wondered, “Who is this?” when you received a call from an unknown number? It happens. With increasing numbers of phone frauds, persistent telemarketers, and dropped connections, it is important to know who exactly is on the other side of the phone.
In this blog, we’ll have a look at some tools and methods to track an old contact or avoid spam calls. There are paid and free tools that can help you to get the answers you need.
Let’s explore how to find a phone number owner using six free methods and three paid tools.
Key Overview:
Below are a few simple steps on how to find out who owns a phone number:
- Try Free Tools First: Use Google, Truecaller, or search on social media to trace the number.
- Use Lookup Services: Enter the number on reverse phone lookup sites like Whitepages.
- Go Deeper with Paid Tools: Enter the specific area code of the region where you’re calling.
These steps work for most users and help you stay informed while you handle unknown calls.
Is It Possible to Check a Phone Number Owner?
Yes, you can check and verify who is calling you. Reverse phone lookup services, social platforms, and public directories allow you to check a phone number’s owner details with just a few clicks.
However, its success depends heavily upon factors like the type of number (landline or cell phone), privacy settings, and whether the number is listed.
Some numbers are linked to business accounts or public profiles. These are easier to trace. But other numbers like personal or virtual phone numbers, may be harder to track due to privacy restrictions.
- Research by Truecaller says that they receive approximately nine spam calls per month per user.
6 Free Ways to Find a Phone Number Owner
You don’t always need to pay to identify unknown callers. There are a lot of free options that you can try first.
Use reverse phone lookup services or popular apps like Truecaller. To find out the phone number owner, you can just search for it on Google. Plus, many phone numbers are also listed on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, or X.
Let’s analyze each method one by one:
1. Use a Reverse Phone Lookup Service
A reverse phone lookup service helps to identify the person behind a phone number. Just enter the number, and the service gives you basic data about the name or location.
Some popular examples are ZLOOKUP, NumLookup, and TruePeopleSearch.
- The steps to follow are given below:
- Step 1:Select a trusted service (e.g., Whitepages, Truecaller).
- Step 2 Visit their website or get the app.
- Step 3: Enter the phone number in the search column.
- Step 4: Click on “Search” to see the results.
- Step 5: Review the entered details, such as name, location, or carrier.
- Easy to use with a simple search bar.
- Provides basic information quickly, like name and address.
- Many services offer mobile compatibility.
- It has limited access to detailed records.
- Some platforms may ask for payment after the initial results.
- Some results can be outdated.
: How to Find Someone's Phone Number2. Check on Truecaller
Truecaller is a famous app that identifies callers immediately. It gathers data from its user base to show caller IDs. This works even for numbers that are not saved in your contacts.
The app works on both iOS and Android systems, and it allows you to check phone numbers online.
How to Check a Phone Number on the Truecaller App?
Verifying a phone number on the Truecaller app is easy.
- Below are the steps on how to do it
- Step 1 Install the App: Download the app from the app store. For iOS, use the Apple App Store; for Android, use Google Play.
- Step 2 Sign In: Open the app and sign in with your phone number or email address.
- Step 3 Search the Phone Number: First, enter the number in the search bar, then tap on the “Search” button.
- Step 4 View the Details: The app will show the name or identification linked to the phone number, provided it exists in the Truecaller database.
- Step 5 Report or Save (Optional): If the information is wrong, you can report the number as spam or an incorrect ID. You can also save the information if needed.
- It has an easy-to-use interface.
- Helps identify unknown numbers quickly.
- Displays spam call alerts automatically.
- It might show outdated or incorrect data.
- Only basic searches are available for free.
- Privacy issues have been reported.
- Caller ID accuracy depends on user-generated data and the number of people who have saved or reported the number. Before returning the call, check if other users have flagged the number as spam.
You can search for the phone number on social media sites. Many people link their profiles on these platforms, which helps in identification.
Social media sites like LinkedIn, X, and Facebook can help you find out who owns a cell phone number. It’s a handy way to discover this information without any cost.
- You might find mutual connections or background information.
- Useful with widespread use of social media.
- Some platforms allow reverse lookups via number.
- It is time-consuming.
- Not every user links their phone number to their profile.
- Results may depend on privacy settings.
4. Use White Page Directories
White-page directories are digital phonebooks. They usually provide names and addresses for landlines and some business numbers. This allows you to check a phone number’s owner’s name and its location.
- Follow the steps given below:
- Step 1:Search the whitepages website and click on the “REVERSE PHONE” section.
- Step 2 Enter the phone number.
- Step 3: See results.
- Good for landlines and business listings.
- Offers free access to essential information.
- It has a straightforward and user-friendly search interface.
- Cell phone number owner data is often missing.
- It may not provide up-to-date information.
- Only basic searches are available for free.
- Whitepages phone directories work well for landlines and older listings. Use city or ZIP code filters to find common names more easily.
5. Google the Phone Number
A quick Google search is another way to find the phone number owner on Google. You can see the number in public records, directories, or even on social media.
Businesses and well-known people often list their contact details online. So there’s a good chance you’ll find the information on the number.
- Fast and accessible.
- Uses the power of a search engine.
- Can uncover business listings and complaints.
- Results can be inaccurate.
- Not a reliable source for personal phone numbers.
- It may give spammy or clickbait websites.
- Google might display saved results from older listings that are still useful. Try searching the number in various formats, like with or without the country code or dashes.
6. Contact the Phone Carrier
Mobile carriers may assist you if you have a legitimate reason. They often require legal or official documentation.
Carriers keep detailed customer data. If the reason is genuine, they might help you to confirm the ownership. However, they don’t always disclose personal information due to strict privacy rules. You’ll need a valid reason and a proper explanation.
- Steps to follow:
- Step 1: Identify the phone carrier linked to the number.
- Step 2: Gather your reason on why you need to find phone number owner and the related details.
- Step 3: Call the carrier’s customer service.
- Step 4: Share the reason for your request and ask for help.
- It may provide accurate or carrier information.
- Useful in legal and official scenarios.
- Can verify service provider details.
- Legal reasons and privacy concerns may limit access.
- It is not suitable for everyday queries.
- Time-consuming and restricted to legitimate cases.
: How To Get An Old Phone Number Back?3 Best Paid Tools to Check a Phone Number Owner
When free methods fall short, paid tools can help get the details quickly with more extensive information.
These services have large databases and useful tools that can provide detailed reports about the person who owns a phone number. They also include extra personal and background information.
1. Spokeo
Spokeo is famously known for aggregating information from online listings, court records, and digital footprints. It collects data from public records and social profiles. Plus, it also links the phone number to known email IDs and related persons.
- It provides information from multiple public and private sources.
- Offers extra filters like age, location, and relatives.
- It has an easy-to-use dashboard.
- Some data may be outdated.
- Requires a subscription to unlock full reports.
- Limited accuracy for phone numbers not tied to public records.
2. Instant Checkmate
Instant Checkmate is known for its reverse phone number lookup and detailed background checks. It can show past addresses, criminal records, and known associates.
It gives a full profile by combining multiple public database results.
3. Intelius
Intelius gives you access to identity and contact data tied to mobile or landline numbers. It includes features like location tracking and social profiles.
It’s helpful when you want to verify both personal and business connections.
- Provides detailed and layered reports.
- Combines phone, email, and address lookups.
- Easy report download and printing options.
- Premium data comes at a higher price.
- Time-consuming when generating full reports.
- Some reports lack newer data entries.
Legal Considerations When Searching for a Phone Number Owner
Trying to find who owns a phone number can seem simple, but there are some laws that you need to keep in mind. To assess someone’s personal data without their permission may cross legal lines.
Therefore, it is always better to check with local laws and get consent if possible. It should be an ideal practice before digging into someone’s details.
Another factor is that privacy regulations vary from one country to another. What is acceptable in one place may not be acceptable in another. Also, the services you use might have their own terms you need to follow.
That’s why it’s important to be clear about your purpose and use the information responsibly.
Below are some points to consider:
- Make sure that your search is for legitimate inquiries only.
- Avoid using phone number lookup tools to stalk or harass someone.
- Some data access may be limited due to privacy concerns.
- Sometimes, you might need a formal request to get data from a service provider.
Always stay within the purview of the law when checking the phone number owner’s details.
Conclusion
To sum up, there are several reliable ways to see the caller’s phone number. You can start with a quick search on Google or social media. These methods are free, easy, and accessible, and anyone can use them without needing any tech skills.
If you want deeper insights, then tools like Truecaller, Spokeo, and Instant Checkmate offer detailed data with advanced searches. Each tool comes with pros and cons, so pick the ones that fits your needs.
Remember, whichever method you use, always make sure that your intent is legitimate and respectful of privacy laws.
FAQs
1. Can I find out who owns a phone number for free?
Yes, free methods like social media search, Google search, or free phone number lookup services can help. But the results may vary.
2. Why can’t I find the owner of a phone number?
The number might be unlisted or belong to a virtual phone service, or the user may have strict privacy settings.
3. Is it legal to search for a phone number owner?
Yes, it is legal when done for a legitimate reason and using publicly available sources.
4. How can I check who called me from an unknown phone number?
You can use a phone number lookup tool or the Truecaller app. If the call seems suspicious, you should contact your phone carrier for help.
Updated : April 11, 2025
Supriya Bajaj is a senior content developer with immense experience in the VoIP telephony domain. With a deep knowledge of VoIP systems and emerging technologies in the field, she provides insightful and targeted content. Known for simplifying complex topics and her thought-leadership articles, Supriya delivers actionable content for both technical and non-technical audiences.
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