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Ring! Ring! Whether someone’s been calling you non-stop, you’ve received a suspicious call, or you want to know who’s behind the unknown number before calling back, reverse phone lookup services are here to quench your thirst for information. Some of these sites are also connected to multiple databases and house billions of public records, allowing you to get a complete profile on anyone with nothing but a phone number. 

We handpicked the best reverse phone lookup sites based on search effectiveness, speed, quality, customer service, and other factors. Scroll down to discover the most reliable options on the market.

The Best Reverse Phone Lookup Services

What Is Reverse Phone Number Lookup?

Reverse phone lookup is a tool that allows you to identify unknown callers. You provide the number, and in return, the service showcases available information related to that number. The best reverse phone lookup outfits can help you identify fraudsters, pranksters, or even people that you know who have been trying to reach you for whatever reason. 

Almost everyone has received suspicious or annoying repeating calls. Blocking a number is not always practical, as persistent callers can switch to new numbers and continue to annoy you. Discovering who’s behind the unknown calls can help you plan your future actions and protect your privacy.

A legit reverse phone lookup service can provide:

• Contact information 
• Geographical location
• Missing pieces of contact information for someone you know
• Information related to a lost friend or relative
• Potential red flags associated with a phone number

A reverse phone number lookup app service cannot:

• Act as a government agency, legal or regulatory authority, credit or consumer reporting agency

What Does a Reverse Phone Number Lookup Show?

In the past, it was tough to uncover someone’s identity with a phone number alone. Those old enough to remember know that a caller ID was available only for an upcharge, a feature that every phone has now. Thanks to technology advancements and growing record databases, legit reverse phone lookup services can unveil a wealth of information aside from a name. Most sites act as people finder services, offering many different searches. The success rate of reverse phone number lookup typically depends on data availability and service quality. A reverse phone lookup may unveil some or all of the following details:  

• Full name
• Email address(es)
• Geographical location, including current and past addresses and area codes
• The carrier that provisioned the phone number
• Date when the number was first in use
• Previous employers
• Relatives and associates
• Information on the type of phone number (cell phone, landline, or other)
• Social media accounts connected to the searched number
• Photos and videos 
• Criminal history

How We Selected the Best Reverse Phone Lookup Services

We cast about for the most reliable reverse phone number lookup services, employing comprehensive custom-developed criteria. Below you can learn more about our vetting process. 

Phase One: Web Research

We started by visiting the websites of all the services under consideration and examined them from top to bottom. Then, to paint a more comprehensive picture of the services’ web presence, we headed over to third-party platforms and went through as many reverse phone lookup reviews as we could find. We also conducted in-depth discussions with regular reverse phone lookup users and collected their top picks. Professional services with a positive rank landed a spot on our preliminary list.

Phase Two: Testing

In the second phase of our selection process, we put the reverse phone lookup services from our preliminary list through our detailed evaluation process that includes:

• Site comparison
• Speed test
• Security test
• Phone number search effectiveness
• Amount of data in the reports
• Quality of information
• Accuracy
• Clear guidelines on how data can and can’t be used
• Opt-out policy
• Customer support
• Price comparison

A Glimpse Into Our Testing Process

Our site comparison focuses on visitor experience, speed, and security to detect the best reverse phone lookup services. Most importantly, we evaluate their phone number search effectiveness by running the same searches through different services.

Out of all numbers, mobile phones are the trickiest to track with reverse mobile phone lookup services due to the lack of a central directory. They are collected through bulk data buying and selling. Estimates suggest that 60% to 80% of mature cell numbers are publicly available through reverse cell phone lookup services. If the same phone number doesn’t yield results on multiple search sites, it’s most likely that data isn’t available, but when some services show results and some can’t track the number, that’s attributed to the phone search effectiveness. Services with extensive databases and higher search effectiveness have landed a better position on our list.

We examine the amount of data and the quality of the reports to prepare in-depth reverse phone lookup reviews. Even if the same data is available through multiple services, the way they organize and present it is critical in our evaluation process. We ensure each site provides detailed guidelines on how the information in the reports can and can’t be used. These services aren’t equivalent to FCRA-compliant employment background check agencies. It’s therefore against the law to use their reports for hiring and lending decisions.

We also check their opt-out policies as some companies make it hard to unsubscribe from their services or remove yourself from their databases. We value transparency and hassle-free opt-out options. Finally, we test their channels of communication and customer service quality. 

Comparing Prices

Pricing models differ among the best reverse phone lookup services. Some companies allow you to purchase a single report and call it a day. Others ask you to pay for a monthly subscription or trial period with unlimited searches. 

Single-phone reports typically cost less than a dollar. Some sites may charge more, usually between a dollar and a few dollars. Still, they include a free trial with unlimited phone searches, allowing you to experiment with their services for a limited time at a discounted price. Note that the majority of free trials automatically evolve into paid subscriptions once the indicated period has ended. This means you have to manually cancel the service unless you want to extend it at the total monthly subscription price.

If you’re interested in different types of searches, plenty of background check companies can deliver various public records on top of phone searches. Be prepared to pay more for these comprehensive services.

For this particular assessment, we considered only the cost of reverse phone number lookup services. We listed the best reverse phone lookup companies with prices that fall within industry standards. We also checked if the outfits clearly explain their billing practices and make customers aware of their automatic monthly billing cycles. 

Phase Three: Service Evaluation

Reverse phone lookup services are, in many cases, provided by people search sites. These sites are connected to large databases with billions of records available through different searches. They can act as criminal background check companies, allowing you to uncover the potential criminal history of friends, relatives, acquaintances, coworkers, romantic partners, etc. 

People finder sites typically offer the following information:

• Personal details (names and aliases, relatives and associates)
• Contact information (phone numbers, email addresses)
• Past and current addresses
• Social media accounts
• Criminal history
• Sex offender status
• Vehicle lookup
• Wealth data

Phase Four: Filtering and Ranking the Best Reverse Phone Lookup Services

In the last phase of our selection process, we carefully assess the advantages and disadvantages of each contender. We go through every assessment from our testing process and create the rank based on their effectiveness, accuracy, quality, speed, the price versus value ratio, and overall user-friendliness. 

How to Choose the Best Reverse Phone Lookup Service for You

With so many options available, it could be overwhelming to find the right reverse phone search service for you. That’s why we made a list of factors you should consider. 

Website Experience

If you intend to look up phones or perform other types of searches on a regular basis, it’s worth testing different sites. Try to order reports and see which process and overall experience you enjoy the most. 

Free vs. Premium Sites

Free sites could be helpful as a starting point. Since these services typically provide limited data, if you want to take your investigation further and receive more detailed reports, including addresses, criminal records, relatives and associates, etc., go for a paid legit reverse phone lookup service.

Types of Searches

If you need to perform multiple reverse phone searches or background checks, services that offer unlimited access to information for a flat monthly fee are your best bet. If, however, you only need a single reverse phone lookup with name, it’s best to look for services that allow one-time payments without locking you into monthly subscriptions.

Some sites provide unique searches like a dark web scan, unclaimed wealth search, vehicle lookup, etc. Others might include photos and media in their reports. Do your research before making a transaction, especially if you have more extensive needs or need to look up specific information.

Sample Reports

The best reverse phone lookup companies usually have some of these listed on their websites. Even when they provide the same data, it’s important how it’s organized and presented. You should also be aware of sites that make big promises and generalized claims that are nowhere to be found in their reports. 

Reverse Phone Lookup FAQs

Why do robocalls, spammers, and scammers call me?

Identity thieves present themselves as IRS or other government agency officials to gain access to personal information. The biggest motivator for phone scammers is financial gain. Although it may seem that the majority of spam calls are ignored, they are still profitable. Researching for these reverse phone lookup reviews, we uncovered that spam calls cause an average loss of $182 per victim.

How do scammers get my number?

In most cases, you provided your phone number directly or indirectly. It could be that free e-book or webinar that required your email and phone number, your memberships at different sites and clubs, or your favorite shopping places. Both legitimate businesses and scammers understand the value of data and are willing to pay for it. 

Can brands call me without my permission?

The law varies from state to state, but in general, it’s not necessarily illegal for businesses to call you, especially if your number is not registered with the National Do Not Call Registry. Over in the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) forces companies to follow stricter regulations about how they collect, store, and use personal data.

Are there any privacy concerns for me?

The best reverse phone lookup services we listed are reputable sites that won’t pose any concern to your privacy. We even encourage you to explore your own results. Input your phone number to uncover what information comes up related to your number. This way, you can see what others can learn about you with a simple reverse phone search and improve your brand management or even take further actions to protect your safety and privacy. 

What if my phone number is on one of the reverse phone lookup websites?

No worries! If you wish to remove your number, simply ask them to remove it. All of the legit reverse phone lookup companies on our list have a straightforward opt-out process, making it easy for self-searchers to remove their number. 

Can someone look up a mobile phone number?

Due to the lack of a centralized database of cell phone numbers, these numbers are the hardest to track. Pre-paid users are even more challenging to identify as many of them use their numbers anonymously. Reverse phone lookup reviews show that between 60% and 80% of aged mobile phone numbers can be tracked with a reverse cell phone number lookup. Usually, the older the number, the greater the chances for identification.

How can I reduce the number of spammers, scammers, and robocalls I get? 

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) suggests the following actions:

• Don’t respond to calls coming from unknown numbers. If you do, hang up immediately. 
• Local numbers don’t necessarily mean local callers. 
• If the caller or a recording asks you to press a number for whatever reason — don’t do it, and hang up immediately. 
• Don’t respond to any questions, especially “Yes” questions. 
• Never share personal information such as SSN, bank account numbers, passwords, even mother’s maiden names. While researching for these reverse phone lookup reviews, we discovered that quite often scammers present themselves as IRS or other government body officials. Hang up, look up the institution’s or company’s number on their official platforms and call them yourself. 
• Be aware of callers demanding information immediately. 
• Set a password on your voice mail account to prevent hackers from taking over.
• Research call blocking tools and apps to block unwanted calls. 
• Register your number on the Do Not Call List if you wish to block telemarketing calls. Reputable telemarketers check this list prior to making calls. 

Is there a free reverse phone lookup service?

Yes, there are free reverse lookup services, but they can’t be compared with the best reverse phone lookup sites. That said, free tools can be a good starting point for investigation. These services, typically, provide minimal data and use lots of ads or mandatory sign-ups as a way to make profits. You can experiment with free options and hopefully get a piece of information that will help you in your further investigation. Reverse phone lookup reviews show that premium sites provide more extensive and accurate results. 

What if there are no results?

Reverse phone lookup services won’t always provide results. Various factors are in play. New numbers are usually unavailable for cross-referencing and verification between multiple databases. The caller might be keeping a low profile by using a disposable phone with a temporary number or service. Also known as “burner phone,” this practice is often associated with fraudulent actions. Some scammers even figure out short-term solutions to disassociate their numbers from any red flags. 

If online services don’t yield any results and the calls get too annoying, disturbing, or impose threats to your safety, you can notify the police, seek legal advice or hire a private investigator. The last two options are indeed more expensive and reserved for extreme cases. 

Is the provided data always accurate?

Yes, the best reverse phone lookup services on our list provide accurate results. We cannot that guarantee for other similar services, especially free reverse phone number lookup services that provide very basic and sometimes inaccurate information. 

How to perform reverse 800 phone number lookup and 877 reverse phone lookup?

A reverse phone lookup app might not be necessary for toll-free business numbers starting with 800 and 877. Since most businesses and institutions have an online presence, you can use Google or any other browser to track these numbers. To perform a business reverse phone lookup, simply input the number in the browser’s search bar, and it will pull all the results that contain the number. Alternatively, you can try a legit reverse phone lookup service for more detailed information.

Bonus Tip: How to Recognize the Most Common Phone Scams

In 2020, Americans lost a whopping $29.8 billion to phone scams. Phone scammers are insanely creative when it comes to fabricating stories and personas to trick people. Take a look at the most common phone scam scenarios to protect yourself and your assets next time you receive a fishy call.

• Lottery/Sweepstakes Phone Scams

A scenario designed to convince you that you’ve won a lottery and will lose money if you don’t claim your prize ASAP.

• Travel Phone Scams

You’ve won a free vacation! But don’t pack your bags just yet. The “free” trip might come with a bunch of hidden costs if it exists at all. Don’t give out any details to the caller. Run the number through a legit reverse phone lookup service to uncover a potential scam. 

• Student Loan Forgiveness Phone Scams

These scammers are tricking the victims into believing that their student loans will be erased, asking for sensitive information to initiate the process. They collect personal information to commit fraudulent acts using their victims’ identities.

• Imposter Phone Scams

Scammers often pretend they are IRS or other government officials or lawyers of late relatives to gain personal details and use them for further fraudulent actions. If you happen to receive such a suspicious call, run it through one of the best reverse phone lookup sites. 

• Charity Phone Scams

Scammers come up with heartbreaking stories to exploit people’s charitable nature. They pretend to collect funds for well-known charities or for charities that don’t even exist. 

• Free Trials Phone Scams

If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. These scammers usually offer free trials of products or services and use your payment details to charge you hidden fees, month-to-month subscriptions until you cancel or even sell fake products or services only to gain access to your financial information.