Tuesday, May 3, 2022 | 2 a.m.
Imagine it’s 4 AM and you are settled neatly beneath the covers, your mouth slightly open as you breathe deeply, resting from a long day. Your phone starts blaring into the silence. You look over in a daze completely startled, and it’s a number you don’t recognize. Before thinking, you answer and whisper a raspy hello. Silence on the other end. You try to go back to sleep and finally when you start drifting off again, that same phone number calls back. You pick up once more and again, there is silence. Who could be calling at this hour and why are they targeting you? At this point, you might try to call the number back, but it just rings and rings without an answer. How do you figure out who’s trying to get a hold of you and why?
Whether you’re dealing with a one-off or dealing with consistent phone calls from numbers you don’t recognize, the feeling of not knowing who’s on the other end of the line can be extremely unsettling. It could be your phone, your kids’ phones, your partner’s phone, or your elderly parents’ phone. If you’re dealing with unwanted calls, you should know who is on the other end. It might just be a prank call, a wrong number, or it could be something more worth the worry. Find out by using a reverse phone lookup service that is easy to use, offers a variety of results you can trust and gives you detailed information. Below, we share the three best reverse phone lookup services to get your questions answered right away.
3 Best Reverse Phone Lookup Services
- Intelius – Editor’s Choice – Best Phone Lookup
- Spokeo – Runner Up
- PeopleFinders – Honorable Mention
How Did We Choose These 3 Reverse Lookup Services?
To select the best reverse phone lookup services, we set forth a list of important criteria to measure them against. Whenever you research a service online, you’ll find there is a pool of competitors, but the best ones always rise to the top. Here’s what we considered.
- Ease of Use
Most people are accustomed to instant searches, easy-to-navigate website interfaces, and fast results. The best reverse phone lookup sites we selected help you look up anyone who might be trying to get in touch with you by easily entering any information you have (whether it be just a phone number search or a name).
- Customer Satisfaction
We also scanned customer reviews to make sure that the phone lookup services we chose are up to par. Some people just wanted to find out who was calling their phone while others were looking to reconnect with old friends. Reviews detail customer experiences and provide insightful details that give you the context you need.
- Report Types
Although there are some basic pieces of information that a typical reverse phone lookup service offers, each service offers something a little bit different that sets them apart from the others. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which is the best reverse phone lookup for you.
- Service Variety
Like displaying different types of information depending on the reverse phone lookup search you use, there are also different service types. Some might be specifically for unlimited searches so you can tackle a whole list of phone numbers at once or you may prefer to just request a single report. We provide you with a service variety that helps you with your reverse phone lookup.
3 Best Reverse Phone Lookup Sites - Reviews
1. Intelius – Editor’s Choice – Best Phone Lookup
Pros:
- Access information instantly
- All you need is a phone number
- All searches are completely confidential
- Over 20 billion available public records
Cons:
- Additional services require you to pay extra fees
Service Highlights
Intelius created a public search service because being informed matters. This is the most reliable place to search for people using telephone numbers, addresses, or names. You can gain access to information related to any criminal records, potential relationships, and even property data.
People use Intelius for a variety of reasons. It could be that you want to reconnect with someone you knew in college, or you could be looking to understand a little bit more about the persons your kids are dating. There’s always more than what meets the eye and cell phones are just one way of getting to know somebody a little better.
With continuous updates on their search engine, Intelius is known for providing accurate lookup information—every time. You’re able to quickly access the information from a reverse cell phone lookup that you need to remain empowered when deciding on your next action. Always protecting your privacy, you can count on your searches being completely confidential.
There are over 20 billion available public records that you access instantly when you use Intelius. You are accessing the best reverse phone lookup available online when you start your search on this top service website.
How It Works
On the Intelius homepage, you’re immediately presented with a search bar. Select from three available tabs including 1) name, 2) phone, and 3) address. Simply select the phone tab and you will be prompted to enter a phone number. Once entered, go ahead, and click the search button.
You’ll be immediately asked to confirm your search. Intelius also offers a friendly reminder that you should be aware you might find surprising information about the owner of that phone number. If you’re looking into something sketchy, be prepared but if you’re just looking to reconnect with someone, this may be more of an exciting experience for you.
Once you confirm your search, Intelius gets to work scanning their billions of records to provide you with a full report. You will need to allow push notifications to receive the most up-to-date information. Otherwise, you can simply wait while your report is generated. Make sure not to refresh, close, or press the back button on the page or you will lose your information.
You can watch the screen as a countdown to your final report appears and you can see in real-time the type of information that’s being scanned to create that report for you. In less than two minutes, you’ll have a neatly compiled report that’s easy to read. Again, Intelius asks that you not use this powerful information to stock, exploit, or threaten anybody in any way. Once ready, you can go ahead and review the report.
You’ll be prompted to confirm you’re not a robot and then you can move forward to save your results by entering your first name, your last name, and your email address. Once you click the save button, you’re confirming that you’re over 18 years of age and that you agree to their terms of use, privacy policy, and that you agree to receive emails from them. It’s a straightforward process that’s accomplished in just a couple of minutes.
About the Company
Intelius was founded in 2003 and has maintained its reputation as the top reverse phone lookup service available on the net today. This is a premier people search tool that allows you to gain access to information with just a few clicks. They have a variety of different features depending on the type of service you’re looking for and their trusted partners include the Better Business Bureau and the Online Trust Alliance. With these partnerships, Intelius demonstrates that they’re committed to transparency and earning the trust of each other's customers.
On the Intelius website, you’ll also see that they offer other services besides just looking up landline or cell phone numbers. You could try a criminal record search, a background check, and a public records search. If all you have is an address, you can use their reverse address lookup as well. You might start with just a reverse phone search and then realize you’d like to learn more about the person who owns that number. Go ahead and move toward the people search on the Intelius website to learn more about that specific person. Reverse phone lookup is simple but be prepared to uncover more information than you initially thought.
Final Thoughts
Intelius is the best reverse phone lookup because you can look up anyone, and you can enjoy unlimited searches. If you need information right away, you can skip the line and access instant searches. All the data you receive comes from specialized sources to provide you with all the valuable information you need in one location. Your privacy is always protected, which means the person you are learning more about will never know that you conducted the search. Use unlimited searches to find out more about every person in your life, especially anyone you’ve recently met. In the age of information, you can never be too safe. Overall, this service is extremely easy to use, their website is clear, the results are fast, and you’ll have everything you need in one spot.
Start Your Reverse Phone Lookup at Intelius.com
2. Spokeo – Runner Up
Pros:
- Uncover name, location, and more
- Search confidentially
- Easy-to-understand reports
- Free reverse phone lookup
Cons:
- Reports may have limited access to certain background information
Service Highlights
Spokeo is a reverse cell phone lookup service that helps you quickly uncover the name and location of unknown callers. You can trust that you’re always searching confidentially, whether you’re looking into a landline or a cell phone number. It’s one of the fastest services you’ll find available online and they even provide free reverse phone lookup results in seconds that let you know if they have uncovered any matching records, including a name and address.
When you use reverse phone number lookup services offered by Spokeo, you can uncover a variety of information. Start by basic identifying information like learning the owner’s details, including their full name and age. You’ll also get their contact information, their social media accounts, and any personal details available through public records.
A quick search delivers an array of information that creates a full picture of the person you’re looking into. It’s important to understand that reverse phone lookup services do not access private information about the landline or cell phone number you’re searching for. This means you won’t be able to access their call log or any text messages.
However, you will be able to find out who has called or texted, you’ll be able to avoid any phone scams, identify any spam callers, and keep your loved ones safe by verifying the identity of the person on the other end of the line.
How It Works
To perform a reverse phone number lookup, all you need to do is access the Spokeo homepage. Move forward by typing in the phone number that you’re interested in learning more about and clicking on the search now button. You’ll find that phone searches provide you with any available details like the name, location, phone carrier, and social media profiles of the person who owns that cell phone number.
When all you have is a phone number, being able to perform a phone number search is extremely helpful. You’ll immediately know to whom the phone number is registered, and you will also be provided with the city and state they’re in. You might be looking up cell phones or you could be getting calls from landlines or VOIP phones.
If that specific phone number has been reported for spam, you’ll also get access to what other people have to say about calls from that specific number.
If you’re not ready to try a paid service, just perform a free reverse phone lookup to search records associated with the phone number you have. You’ll gain some quick insight to quickly identify who has been calling or texting you. If you decide to gain access to more information, you’ll be provided with those options as well.
About the Company
Spokeo wants to bring transparency into your life. As technologies continue advancing, many people are concerned about their privacy and their safety. Scam artists and spam callers have made a playground of the internet and often find lists of phone numbers that may include yours. Whether it’s ensuring your safety or looking to connect with someone you lost touch with, Spokeo makes it easy to start with your search.
Considered a people intelligence service, Spokeo serves 20 million people a month, organizes 12 billion records, and answers 500,000 searches a day. They’ve been innovating since 2006 when they started as a social network aggregator to simplify their digital lifestyle.
Today, they’ve evolved into a social search engine that attracts a wide range of paying customers. They aim to be a trusted service for each customer they receive and work diligently to continue advancing transparency. Their customer service team is always ready to listen with empathy so they can understand what their customers may be going through.
They clarify with data to make sure they’re providing smart, measurable, actionable, relevant, and timely insights. Not only do they focus on clarity for the customer experience, but they also employ objectivity when making important decisions about the direction of their company.
With a persistent attitude that insists on quality, the leadership team at Spokeo holds their team to the highest standards—all so that you can enjoy simple and robust results.
Final Thoughts
Spokeo makes reverse phone lookup simple and keeps their service operating with a touch of elegance. Not only do they aid individual volunteers and nonprofit organizations, but they also commit to local communities by organizing toy drives, promoting science, and technology education. Philanthropy is embedded into their company and they even support learning about technology at local schools by providing scholarships for education.
Spokeo is much more than one of the typical reverse phone lookup sites. They’re often in the news, with their innovations attracting the attention of different publications. Whether you start with a free reverse phone lookup or invest in their time-saving and hassle-free services, you’ll find that their website is quick and efficient and provides you with all the information you need.
3. PeopleFinders – Honorable Mention
Pros:
- Search from anywhere, anytime
- Reports deliver thorough results
- User-friendly website
- Simple instructions for new users
Cons:
- To cancel your membership, you must call customer service
Service Highlights
PeopleFinders allows you to use reverse phone lookup to learn more about a phone number’s owner. Use the reverse phone lookup on the PeopleFinders website to find out who texted your phone, who called, and to get up-to-date information about the person associated with that phone number.
You can start with a simple phone number, or you can select advanced search if you have additional details about the person who may be trying to get in touch. If you’re looking to find out who’s been calling you, this reverse phone lookup service makes it easy for you to perform a phone number search from anywhere at any time and from any device you may be using.
The reverse phone lookup reports provided by PeopleFinders include the owner’s background information and their contact information. You walk away knowing the name of the person who’s been trying to get in touch, their address, and other pertinent background information about the phone number’s owner.
Use PeopleFinders to look for a variety of cell phone numbers and gather all the data you need upfront. With thousands of different data sources, PeopleFinders can provide you with results from billions of up-to-date records about more than 250 million adults in the United States.
How It Works
If all you have is a phone number, simply enter it including the area code, and click on the search now button. Each one of your searches is 100% private and secure. Once you enter the phone number, PeopleFinders immediately accesses their billions of records using their state-of-the-art servers to get your reverse phone number lookup results fast.
You’ll immediately be provided with several important details about the person who called you. First, you’ll be provided with a name. It could be an old friend, a relative, or someone you haven’t even thought about from your past. If you’re relieved to know that someone’s looking to reconnect with you, you can learn more about them from this lookup service.
If you’re ready to dig a little bit deeper, you’ll also be provided with information about the person’s phone carrier and any known coverage areas. This gives you an idea of where the person is located. Keep digging deeper and learn the person's address and get a complete picture when you run a comprehensive report. You’ll be able to see criminal information, property information, and any other public record data for your unknown caller.
About the Company
PeopleFinders has been helping curious customers like you since 1999. They launched to provide their customers with online access to public records data. Over the years, they have continued to evolve, and they now serve as a leading provider for consumers and businesses who are looking for insights on phone numbers and people via public records in the United States.
Having been in business for decades, PeopleFinders has refined its expertise with reverse phone lookup searches. Every report you receive provides you with in-depth and up-to-date information. You’ll find that their search functionality is extremely easy to use, and their overall website is intuitive, guiding you through the process with just a few clicks.
They power every search with state-of-the-art technology, which means that when you request a comprehensive report, you get results faster than ever. They have kept improving and optimizing to provide you with a service that’s not just accurate, but that’s also all-encompassing with refined results.
Final Thoughts
PeopleFinders provides a fantastic service that makes it easy for you to perform a phone search in seconds. So long as it’s a complete US phone number (with the area code included), you can find the owner on PeopleFinders. Verify people that you haven’t met in person yet, reconnect with old friends, make sure that someone you’re doing business with is legitimate, or just gather more information about cell phone numbers that have been trying to get in touch with you or someone you love. The service is straightforward, delivers the valuable information you need, and helps you get on with your life knowing who is attempting to get into your vicinity.
What is a Reverse Phone Lookup?
Reverse phone number lookup is a simple service that helps you identify who might be texting or calling your phone. You may have found that a loved one has been receiving text messages from an unknown phone number, you may be noticing that you’re receiving a lot of unidentified calls, or you may be dealing with a specific, persistent phone number that you’d like to learn more about. Although you could always call the number back, sometimes the people on the other end don’t answer and they don’t have a voicemail set up that identifies who they are. Instead of letting those doubts linger, you can use a service for a reverse phone lookup that clearly identifies who’s been trying to get a hold of you.
Information You Can Get from Reverse Phone Number Lookup
Depending on the type of service and whether you’re using a paid or free reverse phone lookup site, you can receive a variety of different details with just a simple phone number. Some of the information you can plan to uncover includes:
Contact Information
If there are any other phone numbers associated with the owner of the number that’s trying to get a hold of you, you’ll also be provided with that information on your lookup report. Additionally, you may discover email addresses associated with the person you’re looking into and any other contact information available through a public records search.
Identifying Information
Identifying information includes a full name, gender, and the age of the person whose name is registered with that phone number. For a phone number search, this simple identifying information that frequently comes with a free reverse phone lookup is all you need to make sense of who’s been trying to get a hold of you. However, most reports include additional details.
Social Media Profiles
People tend to be very open on their social media profiles, including photos of themselves, their friends, their family members, and so forth. When there’s a social media account connected to a specific phone number, you’ll be privy to that information as well. If the identifying information isn’t enough for you to make a connection, peeking into their social media accounts can provide more context for you to understand who’s been texting your phone.
Personal Information
Depending on the service type, you may also uncover other personal information. This could include the person’s current address and any possible relatives or possible acquaintances they may have. If it’s stalking behavior, sometimes people use their sister’s phone or their brother’s phone, and even though you may not be able to identify the person whose phone number you’ve looked at, you may recognize the name from a possible relative or possible relationships list.
When to Use a Paid or Free Reverse Phone Lookup Service?
You should use this type of service anytime you don’t have complete information about a phone number that keeps showing up in your phone or that of a loved one. Sometimes people turn to a reverse phone lookup search because they keep getting harassed by the same phone number or by a list of several cell phones. To get some answers, they use the service to discover who is attempting to disrupt their peace. When you have information about the harassment, you can also move forward with taking legal action if that’s something you’re interested in following through with.
This type of service is also available to anyone who may have a partner they think has been dishonest with them. If you’re seeing unusual phone numbers on your partner’s phone, you may want to figure out who they’ve been talking to. Although uncovering this information may be a tough pill to swallow, knowing is better than not knowing. Doubts and suspicions can completely derail you in a relationship and when you know what you’re dealing with, you can make the best decision on how to move forward.
You can also use a service to verify the identity of any creditors or collectors that may be attempting to reach you. It’s not uncommon that a forgotten bill goes to collections, and you’re left dodging phone calls from people attempting to collect a debt. Often a free reverse phone lookup will give you the information you need to verify the identity of the person calling you, then you can set up a payment plan and reduce the fear of having to answer your phone.
Is it Legal to Use?
Yes, services for reverse phone lookup searches are legal to use. However, you should understand that these public data checks are not consumer reporting agencies as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This US federal law protects consumer reports and prohibits you from using information about the person you’ve investigated as a determining factor when it comes to employment, personal credit, tenancy, and other eligibility determinations. Be sure to abide by the Fair Credit Reporting Act and only use the information retrieved from paid or free reverse phone lookup services for personal reasons.
Conclusion
Cell phones have changed the way we communicate with others but sometimes, the wrong people gain access to your phone number. Using reverse phone lookup services responsibly means you control who has access to you and your loved ones. Set out on a search to uncover the owners of several cell phones or focus solely on a single phone number. For whatever you need, the services listed above are ready to help you.
