Are you wondering how to find out an unknown caller’s number? How can you save yourself from spam calls? Read this article to learn about all the apps that can help you.
Imagine this: you’ve got your phone, and it rings with numbers you don’t know all the time. Some could be cool, like a friend you haven’t talked to in ages or maybe a job opportunity. But others might spell trouble – scams, sales pitches that bug you, or even people trying to mess with your money or safety. Nowadays, being able to figure out who’s hiding behind those mystery numbers can be a game-changer.
Knowing if a call is legit or shady puts you in charge – you can make savvy decisions, keep your private stuff safe, and protect yourself from tricky folks.
This guide is your ticket to mastering the art of uncovering who’s calling from unknown numbers. We’ll give you loads of tricks to become a pro at revealing the mystery caller. So, get set to take charge of your phone and make those unknown numbers way less mysterious for that dive into this guide on how to find out an unknown caller’s number.
Benefits of knowing the caller’s identity
Before getting into how to find an unknown caller’s number, let’s get into its importance. Knowing who is calling you can be important for various reasons, as it provides valuable information and helps individuals make informed decisions about how to respond to incoming calls. Here are some common scenarios where knowing the identity of the caller is beneficial:
- Safety and security
- Filtering spam call
- Avoiding scams
- Reconnecting with contacts
- Business and professionalism
- Verifying legitimacy
- Managing personal relationships
- Emergency situations
- Preventing harassment
- Maintaining privacy
Safety and security:
Your safety is very important. If someone you don’t know calls you, figuring out who they are can help you know if they might be a danger or just a regular person.
Filtering spam calls:
With the rise of spam and telemarketing calls, identifying the caller helps you differentiate between nuisance calls and important ones. You can choose to ignore or block unwanted calls.
Avoiding scams:
Scammers often use fake or anonymous numbers to perpetrate fraud. Knowing who is calling can prevent you from falling victim to phishing scams, identity theft, or financial fraud.
Reconnecting with contacts:
Every now and then, you might get a call from a number you don’t remember. It could be someone you used to know, like a friend, coworker, or family member, trying to get in touch with you. Finding out who’s calling can help you get back in touch with them.
Business and professionalism:
In a professional context, knowing the identity of the caller is essential. It ensures that you answer important work-related calls promptly and appropriately.
Verifying legitimacy:
When a call claims to be from a company, organization, or government agency, verifying the caller’s identity can help you confirm the legitimacy of the call and avoid potential scams.
Managing personal relationships:
In personal relationships, knowing who is calling allows you to decide whether you want to engage with the caller or prefer privacy.
Emergency situations:
If you’re in an emergency situation, receiving a call from an unknown number may be from someone who can provide crucial information or assistance. Knowing the caller’s identity can be vital.
Preventing harassment:
If you’re experiencing harassment or nuisance calls, identifying the caller’s identity is crucial for documenting incidents and taking legal action if necessary.
Maintaining privacy:
Being aware of who is calling you helps you maintain control over your privacy. You can choose whether to answer, ignore, or block the call.
In summary, knowing who is calling you is important for personal safety, privacy, and making informed decisions regarding the calls you receive. It empowers you to manage your communications effectively and ensures that you can respond appropriately to various situations.
How to find out an unknown caller’s number?
Let’s find out how to find out an unknown caller’s number.
- Answer the call
- Check your contacts
- Reverse phone lookup services
- Search social media
- Google the number
- Check messaging apps
- Contact your service provider
- Use a call tracing service
- Reach out to the police
- Keep a log
Answer the call:
The simplest and most direct approach is to answer the call. In many cases, it could be a friend or colleague using a different phone, or someone from a legitimate organization trying to contact you.
Check your contacts:
Before jumping to conclusions, review your phone’s contact list. It’s possible that the unknown number belongs to someone you know but with a new phone or a temporarily unfamiliar number.
Reverse phone lookup services:
Leveraging online reverse phone lookup services is one of the most effective methods. Websites and apps like Whitepages, Spokeo, and TrueCaller allow you to input the unknown number and obtain information about the caller, including their name, location, and even social media profiles.
Search social media:
Many people link their phone numbers to their social media profiles. If you have the caller’s name, search for them on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram. This can often lead to a match.
Google the number:
A simple online search by entering the unknown number in a search engine like Google can yield results. If the number is linked to a business or organization, search results may provide clues to the caller’s identity.
Check messaging apps:
Apps like WhatsApp allow users to create profiles linked to their phone numbers. Enter the unknown number into these apps to potentially reveal the user’s name and profile picture.
Contact your service provider:
Sometimes, the company that gives you your phone service might know who’s calling, especially if the caller uses the same company. You can talk to the folks at your phone company for help with this. They’re there to assist you with this.
Use a call tracing service:
Certain phone companies offer services that can figure out who’s calling. But keep in mind, you might need to pay a little extra for this service.
Reach out to the police:
If you ever feel like someone’s bothering you or doing something wrong, like harassing you, it’s a good idea to get in touch with your local police. They can help find out who the caller is.
Keep a log:
It’s a smart move to write down information about calls from numbers you don’t recognize. You can jot down the date, time, and what the person said. If you do this over time, you might be able to tell who’s calling.
What are some third-party apps and services to find out an unknown caller’s number?
When you’re trying to find out who’s calling from an unknown number, you can also use different apps and services that aren’t from your phone company. Here are a few of them that can help you find out who’s calling:
- TrueCaller
- Whitepages
- Spokeo
- Hiya
- ME
- TrapCall
- CallerSmart
- CIA (Caller Identification App)
- Number
- Online Reverse Phone Lookup Websites
- Social media platforms
- Local law enforcement
TrueCaller:
This is a famous app that can tell you who’s calling and even block spam calls. It can also show you details about the caller, like their name and where they are.
Whitepages:
Whitepages is a big online directory that can help you find information about numbers you don’t know. It has info about people’s names and where they live.
Spokeo:
Spokeo is like a search engine for finding people. It can give you details about phone numbers, email addresses, and social media profiles. It can help you find out who’s calling from an unknown number.
Hiya:
Hiya is a caller ID and call-blocking app that can detect and identify spam calls and unknown numbers. It also provides user ratings for different numbers.
Sync.ME:
Sync.ME is a caller ID and spam call blocker app that can identify unknown numbers, provide caller information, and sync with your contacts.
TrapCall:
TrapCall is a service that unmasks blocked and private numbers, revealing the identity of unknown callers.
CallerSmart:
CallerSmart is a community-driven app that helps you identify unknown callers. Users can contribute information and ratings for various numbers.
CIA (caller identification app):
This app provides caller information and allows you to block unwanted calls.
Mr. Number:
Mr. Number is a call-blocking and caller ID app that can help you identify and block unknown or spam numbers.
Google:
You can use Google to search for the unknown number. Sometimes, search results can reveal the identity of the caller if the number is associated with a business or organization.
Facebook:
If the caller’s number is linked to their Facebook account, you can try searching for them on the platform to discover their identity.
LinkedIn:
Similar to Facebook, you can use LinkedIn to search for professionals or individuals who may have linked their phone numbers to their profiles.
Online reverse phone lookup websites:
Numerous online websites offer reverse phone lookup services, allowing you to input an unknown number to retrieve caller information.
Social media platforms:
Some social media platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp allow users to link their phone numbers to their accounts, enabling you to search for users based on their contact information.
Local law enforcement:
If someone is bothering you or doing something wrong on the phone, you can call the local police or law people to help find out who they are.
Remember, the rules about privacy are different depending on where you live, so make sure you use these services the right way and follow the law.
How do you protect yourself from an unknown caller?
These days, annoying spam calls are a big problem. They can mess up our day, invade our privacy, and even steal our money and personal info. But if we’re careful, we can make these calls bother us less and keep our stuff safe. Take the following precautions:
- Activate caller ID
- Install call-blocking apps
- Register on do not call lists
- Activate do not disturb mode
- Be cautious with caller ID
- Never share personal information
- Report spam calls
- Screen calls
- Use text messages
- Check online directories
- Opt for call authentication
- Consider using a second number
- Screen unknown callers
- Educate yourself
- Review and adjust phone settings
- Password protect voicemail
- Do not press numbers
Activate caller ID:
Make sure your phone’s caller ID is enabled. This feature displays the caller’s name and number, allowing you to assess the legitimacy of incoming calls.
Install call-blocking apps:
Numerous call-blocking apps like Hiya, TrueCaller, and Nomorobo are available for smartphones. These apps can automatically identify and block spam calls.
Register on do not call lists:
Lots of places have lists where you can put your phone number to stop telemarketers from calling you. In the United States, there’s something called the “National Do Not Call Registry” where you can add your number to avoid these calls.
Activate do not disturb mode:
Consider enabling “Do Not Disturb” mode during certain hours or at night. This setting silences calls and notifications from unknown or non-contact numbers.
Be cautious with caller ID:
Be aware that caller ID information can be manipulated or spoofed by spammers. Therefore, always exercise caution, even when a call appears to be from a known source.
Never share personal information:
Never share personal information, such as your full name, address, Social Security number, or financial details, with unknown callers, regardless of their claims.
Report spam calls:
Most countries have agencies or regulatory bodies where you can report spam calls. In the United States, you can report such calls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Screen calls:
Allow calls from unknown numbers to go to voicemail. Only return calls once you’ve verified the caller’s identity.
Use text messages:
If you are unsure about a call, reply with a text message to request more information before engaging in a phone conversation.
Check online directories:
When you encounter an unknown number, use online directories or search engines to see if others have reported it as spam.
Opt for call authentication:
Choose a phone service provider that supports call authentication protocols like STIR/SHAKEN. These protocols verify the legitimacy of caller identities.
Consider using a second number:
To keep your primary number private, consider using a secondary phone number for public or online interactions.
Screen unknown callers:
Utilize your phone’s settings to permit calls only from your contacts during specific hours or at night.
Educate yourself:
Stay informed about common scams and phishing tactics. Awareness of current spam call tactics is a crucial step in recognizing and avoiding potential threats.
Review and adjust phone settings:
Regularly review your phone’s settings to enhance its call-blocking capabilities and security features.
Password protect voicemail:
Set a strong personal identification number (PIN) for your voicemail to prevent unauthorized access.
Do not press numbers:
If a spam call instructs you to press a number to speak to a live agent or remove yourself from their call list, do not comply. Responding to these prompts can confirm your number’s validity to spammers.
FAQs
What does * 57 do?
Call trace allows you to dial the code *57 to trace the phone number of a received call. This service is used to trace harassing calls that warrant law enforcement or legal action. If you do not intend to take legal action, then an alternative is to use Call Return with *69.
What is the code for an unknown caller?
*67
Enter *67. Enter the number you wish to call (including area code). Tap Call. The words “Private,” “Anonymous,” or some other indicator will appear on the recipient’s phone instead of your mobile number.
Can you trace a no-caller ID?
Another number you can use to trace a call is *57. This is the number to use if you believe a scam or spam caller is harassing you. *57 gets you the phone number and call information *69 does, but it goes above and beyond. When you dial *57, the information you obtain is passed along to the police.
Is the True Caller app safe?
Obviously, yes, True Caller is a safe application yet. But if there is any application that uses the personal data and information of the users, it may be a concern. If the application uses personal information such as name, phone number, email address, and much more, within the application is used.
Does Truecaller leak data?
A spokesperson from the Truecaller company said, “There has been no breach of our database, and all our user information is secure. We take the privacy of our users and the integrity of our services extremely seriously, and we are continuously monitoring for suspicious activities.
What does Star 57 do on a cell phone?
Malicious caller identification, introduced in 1992 as Call Trace, is activated by Vertical service code Star codes *57 and is an upcharge fee subscription service offered by telephone company providers which, when dialed immediately after a malicious call, records meta-data for police follow-up.
Conclusion
In a world where spam calls have become increasingly prevalent, taking safety precautions to guard against these intrusive and potentially harmful calls is of paramount importance. By following the measures outlined in this comprehensive guide, you can significantly reduce the impact of spam calls, protect your privacy, and maintain a sense of security in your daily communication. Stay vigilant, informed, and proactive in the battle against spam calls to ensure a safer and more peaceful communication experience.
