How to find out the number of an unknown caller
Few people enjoy answering phone calls from unknown callers. Maybe it makes you anxious, or maybe you want to avoid the risk of talking to a salesperson on the phone or answering a robocall. In any case, there are several ways to find out the name and number of the caller.
In this article, we will show you how to find out the number of an unknown caller. You can dial special services related to public databases, check certain websites, or use caller ID apps. Identify the caller and prevent random strangers from wasting your precious time.
1. Dial *69
If you’ve ever used *67 to hide your phone number when calling someone, you might be familiar with *69 too. This service is the opposite of *67. By dialing *69 immediately after a missed call from an unknown caller, you can trace their number, as well as their name and address if they are in a public database. The service works even for anonymous or hidden calls. You can show a hidden phone number and the exact time you were called.
Use this information to call them back and check if the call was a scam or spam. Don’t expect a civilized conversation with spammers and scammers. You won’t be able to convince them to remove you from their call list. Instead, block their number so you never get unwanted calls again.
Please note that not all telephone companies offer this service and some may charge you for it depending on your call plan. Don’t be surprised by the additional charges on your next phone bill. The service is also only available in the US and works for both mobile and landline phones.
2. Dial *57
Similar to *69, this service is only offered by select telephone companies and at an additional cost. The difference is that you should only use *57 when you are sure that the unknown caller is bothering you. This is because dialing *57 will automatically connect you to local law enforcement. The police will then be able to monitor and respond to unwanted calls you receive. If you need this service, be sure to contact the local police after dialing *57 to confirm that you need their services.
Use *57 with caution and only when you are absolutely sure that you need more help getting rid of unwanted phone calls.
3. Contact the Phone Company
Your telephone service provider can help you find the number of an unknown caller. They will provide you with a log of your incoming and outgoing calls with an unmasked unknown caller number. This may be enough to get you in control, but the telephone company can provide you with even more details. If the information is available, you can find out the name and address of the annoying caller, as well as their telephone company.
Telephone companies may also provide an anonymous caller identification service. This means that if the service is enabled, your phone will authenticate every call to your number. If someone tries to call you from a hidden number, Anonymous Caller ID will force them to reveal their number before establishing a connection with your phone. You will then be able to see the caller ID on your phone screen.
Mobile carriers can even help you fight robocalls for an additional monthly fee. But be aware that this service is still new and may not be 100% reliable.
4. Install An App
There are various mobile phone apps that can be installed and used as phone number tracking tools. These applications will search online databases for information about unknown callers and display their details such as name, address, and phone number. You can then report and block spammers, telemarketers, or automated calls.
Choose your unknown caller identification app wisely as most of them are not connected to extensive databases and phone directories. Read app reviews and see how other people are doing. Keep in mind that some apps are free, but others have monthly payment plans. Here are some user tested and verified applications:
1. BeenVerified
This app is a great choice for getting details of an unknown but displayed number. This saves you the hassle of manually looking up the phone number and the details behind it. BeenVerified has a database of billions of phone numbers and in just two steps you will find out who is behind the unwanted phone call. All you have to do is go to the search bar, enter your phone number and wait a few seconds for the app to display all the information.
2. Spokeo
This is a completely free smartphone app that can track phone numbers. It has the ability to reverse phone lookup, when you enter a phone number, it displays data such as the caller’s name, address, current location, social media profiles, and more.
3. TrapCall
TrapCall is an app that can expose blocked and hidden numbers. You can use this application if the caller ID is not displayed. In addition to revealing personal numbers, TrapCall offers other services. It can automatically block spammers, blacklist unwanted numbers, and record calls. TrapCall is available for iOS and Android devices.
4. TrueCaller
This application is similar to TrapCall. It will simply force all calls to go through the app and show phone numbers. It also has a spam list based on community reports and will notify you of any unwanted calls. However, in order to use this application, your phone must have constant access to Wi-Fi, or at least a 3G network.
5. Check Websites
If you don’t want an extra app installed on your mobile phone, you can always choose to manually look up phone numbers on certain websites. There are several phone number lookup sites out there, so be sure to check out our article on the best ones. Some of the apps mentioned earlier, like TrueCaller, have websites with rich databases.
6. Silence Unknown Callers
For all iPhone users, you don’t have to worry about unknown numbers being detected if you want to block unknown calls. Apple has made a little feature for their devices called “Disable unknown callers”. This means that when you receive a call from a number that is not in your contact list, your phone simply does not ring. They can still leave voicemail, send you SMS, and register as a missed call.
To enable this feature, do the following:
1. Go to “Settings” and then “Phone”.
2. Select the heading “Disable unknown callers”.
3. Slide the switch next to the title to turn it on.
If you can’t find out who called you and don’t want to answer random strangers, just turn them off.
How to Find Out an Unknown Caller’s Number
How to Find Out an Unknown Caller’s Number