Unwanted calls during dinner and late at night can be more than a little annoying, and some telemarketing companies go beyond annoying. They may call you multiple times a day, becoming intrusive and even disturbing. Luckily, most people have caller ID that shows the number that is calling. With just the phone number, you can do a reverse phone lookup to find the name attached to that phone number.
Reverse Phone Lookup Websites
Go to a reverse phone lookup website. Several online sites such as Anywho.com and WhitePages.com allow you to input a phone number to find the name or business registered to that phone. Enter the complete phone number, including the area code, into the text box, then click the "Find" or "Search" button.
This should take you to a screen that provides all public information available on the phone number, such as location and the name of the individual or company who owns the number. Some may give you only location, however – if you want more information than that, you'll have to subscribe or pay a nominal fee.
Read More: How to Remove the Phone Number From Reverse Phone Books
Do a Web Search
You can also enter the phone number into any Internet search engine, such as Yahoo or Google. Place quotation marks around the phone number – for example: "555-555-1234." This may give you information about telemarketing companies that are unavailable in reverse phone lookup databases. You might even find some limited information about individual callers.
Tips
Cell phones and some private numbers are unlisted and therefore may be unavailable to the general public.
You can report telemarketing companies for violating the “do not call list” to the FTC, but you'll need the company name.
Some scammers use "spoofing" technology to make it look like they are calling from a different telephone number or from your area code. There are apps such as Hiya and Truecaller that let you block spam phone calls.
References
Resources
Tips
- Cell phones and some private numbers are not listed and therefore unavailable to the general public.
- You can report telemarketing companies violating the "do not call list" to the FTC if you have the company name.
Writer Bio
Lynn Anders has more than 15 years of professional experience working as a zookeeper, wildlife/environmental/conservation educator and in nonprofit pet rescue. Writing since 2007, her work has appeared on various websites, covering pet-related, environmental, financial and parenting topics. Anders has a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies and biology from California State University, Sacramento.