With the rise of the internet and advancements in technology, it has become much easier to look up information on people simply by having their phone number. Phone numbers can provide a wealth of details about a person if you use the right search methods. Here is a comprehensive guide on the various ways you can use a phone number to search for someone online.
Using Reverse Phone Lookup Services
One of the most popular ways to search for someone by phone number is to use a reverse phone lookup service. These services contain large databases of phone numbers that are associated with people’s names, addresses, age, employment information, and more. To use them, simply enter the phone number you wish to search into the search bar. If there is a match in their database, it will pull up details connected to that number. Some lookup services to consider are:
- Spokeo
- Intelius
- ZabaSearch
- WhitePages
- PeopleFinders
The amount of personal information these sites can provide varies. Some offer basic name and address info pulled from public records, while others provide more detailed background check reports for a fee. Keep in mind that reverse lookup services have certain limitations. Cell phone numbers and VOIP numbers cannot be searched. The services also won’t include unlisted landline numbers or individuals who have opted out of public directory listings.
Searching Public Records Databases
Many public records databases also allow searching for a person by their telephone number. These databases compile information from various government resources and public records, including:
- State and county court records
- Voter registration data
- Bankruptcies and liens
- Marriage and divorce filings
- Business licenses
- Property deeds
Some major public records databases to search are FamilyTreeNow, TruthFinder, and PeopleFinders. Though these sites provide access to public information, some records may only be available to members who pay subscription fees. They also do not contain every public record, so you may have to dig deeper to get complete details on an individual.
Searching Social Media
Believe it or not, simply searching for a phone number on social media can yield results about the owner. Facebook in particular has a search feature where you can enter a phone number and find matching Facebook profiles connected to that number. This can enable you to determine the identity of the phone number owner if they have a Facebook account. LinkedIn also allows searching by phone number, which can provide employment information if the number is associated with someone’s profile. Even a general social media search for the number may turn up matching profiles or posts.
Using Google Search Operators
You can search Google directly using specific operators to find pages and documents containing a particular phone number. Here are some useful Google search operators to try:
- “phonebook: ###-###-####” – Finds personal directory listings for the number
- “site:linkedin.com ###-###-####” – Finds LinkedIn profiles with the number
- “site:docs.com ###-###-####”- Finds documents like PDFs containing the number
Adding the phone number in quotes along with targeted site searches or “phonebook” can help surface relevant info. You may find personal sites, resumes, legal filings, and more that include the number you are searching for.
Utilizing Data Brokers
Data brokers aggregate information from many sources which they resell to clients, typically for marketing purposes. But some provide phone number search services that let you look up information connected to a number for a fee. For example, LexisNexis provides access to their vast public records database that includes billions of public and proprietary records. Services like Instant Checkmate and TruthFinder also search data broker sources to find personal details associated with a phone number.
The depth of information data brokers provide will vary based on their data sources. However, they can potentially link a phone number to current address info, bankruptcies, criminal records, age, employment, and more.
Searching Court Record Databases
Court records at the state and federal level are public information in the United States. Many court systems now make records available online which you can search for a phone number. Sites like SearchQuarry and CourthouseDirect provide a central hub to search through court data from multiple jurisdictions for number matches. You may find records like:
- Bankruptcies
- Tax liens
- Foreclosures
- Criminal cases
- Civil lawsuits
Any cases or filings containing the number you search for will be returned. This can provide details on a person’s financial or legal history associated with the phone number.
Using Business Lookup Tools
There are specialized search engines and databases you can utilize if you need to look up a business phone number. For example:
- The Better Business Bureau directory – Search for accredited businesses
- Manta – Find detailed information on over 100 million businesses
- ZoomInfo – Search companies by industry and location
These sites compile business listings from various sources. Look for ones that allow searching by telephone number to find company names, addresses, executives, and other data tied to a business landline.
Searching Caller ID History
If you received a call from a number you want to identify, your own caller ID call log may provide the answer. Phone companies keep records of all incoming calls with the date, time, and caller ID info. You can access your call history report by:
- Logging into your online account with your phone provider
- Using a third party call log search tool
- Calling your phone company to request call records
Searching your caller ID history allows you to see the name or business associated with a number that called you. This can identify anonymous callers or scammers.
Using a Phone Number App
Taking advantage of a phone number lookup app can provide an easy way to get info on an unknown caller or number. Apps like Truecaller, SyncMe, and WhosCall provide crowdsourced databases of phone numbers and names. Users report numbers they receive calls from which builds up the app’s directory. Simply enter the number in question and the app searches its database to find a match. This can instantly identify spam callers or give you a name to go with an unknown number.
Tips for an Effective Search
Keep these tips in mind to improve your chances of tracing a phone number to a specific person:
- Try multiple lookup methods – No single service will give you complete details. Using a combination of databases can help paint a fuller picture.
- Search regularly – New information becomes available all the time. If your initial search comes up empty, try again in a few months.
- Pay for premium records – Many sites offer more for a fee. Paid searches provide access to additional public records not in free reports.
- Browse social media – Even if a phone search comes up empty, look for matching profiles manually.
- Stay persistent – It often takes tracing several breadcrumbs to put together the puzzle.
Conclusion
Searching for someone by phone number can certainly be challenging, but is possible in many cases with the right resources. Reverse phone lookup services, public records databases, social networks, and phone number apps all provide different ways trace a number back to an individual. Combining multiple methods using the tips above gives you the best chance to gain as much information as possible from just a phone number.