topic TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER? in Community Chat

TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 21:18:29 GMT

Like many others, I don't answer my phone if I don't recognize the number. Too many scammers, and I don't want to be asked "Can you hear me?".

If it's important they can leave a message.

Lately, I've been getting several calls and finally tried to determine who owns that number.

Unfortunately, all the "sources" want you to subscribe to a service! Some also seem like scammers who just want my credit card number.

So ....... is anyone here aware of a legitimate source for checking phone numbers?

TIA!

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

Desertdi — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 21:29:22 GMT

Scammers use FAKE phone numbers

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

on the bay — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 21:31:39 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 ,

This doesn't work for every number but I usually put in search bar-

"who called me at (the number).

A lot of times, many others have asked this question of the same no and it will show as spam or robocall.

I see Google actually has what's called who called me. I didn't know it was an actual site.

I never sign up for any "free" look ups either. The white pages online will show lots of options and different cities or people for one number. Sometimes I will get one address and one name of a business or person that I don't know.

And yeah, unless they leave a voice mail I just block the number and delete as spam/junk.

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

Kachina624 — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 21:55:57 GMT

@Tinkrbl44. I've occasionally had some luck with a site called " Phone Reveal". Try it and see if it works for you. Please let me know.

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

DJP — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 22:28:13 GMT

I have used USPhonebook. It works for me so far.

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

50Mickey — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 22:43:18 GMT

If you don't recognise the number just ignore the call. If were important or legitimate the caller would leave a voice mail.

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 23:16:45 GMT

@50Mickey wrote:
If you don't recognise the number just ignore the call. If were important or legitimate the caller would leave a voice mail.

@50Mickey

Of course, and as I said, that's what I do.

The reason I'm asking here is curiousity ... I've received eight calls from this number in the past couple months.

This doesn't sound like a random try-every-number automated call system ... or maybe it is. The reason for this thead.

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

RedTop — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:08:40 GMT

@Tinkrbl44

I wouldn't waste any time trying to find a name for that phone number; even if you find something, it's not likely to be accurate.

I also continue to receive repeated calls from an instate phone number; caller ID states the name of the town, which is unknown to me, so I know it's a robocall looking for a real person to answer. There is no message and the call disconnects as soon as my answering machine kicks in. This call started before our primary election in May, and continues even now at least 5x a week at different times, even as early as 7:30 a.m., likely hoping that I will be angry enough over an early call to actually answer. Now that our voices and words are often being recorded and used against us in scams, I do not answer any unknown calls.

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

JoyFilled Warrior — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:10:53 GMT

I researched this on the web & became overwhelmed with references. Here's a few:

~~~~~

"The national Do Not Call list protects landline and wireless phone numbers.

You can register your numbers on the National Do Not Call list at no cost by calling 1- 888- 382- 1222 (voice) or 1- 866- 290- 4236 (TTY)."

"You must call from the phone number you wish to register. You can also register at donotcall.gov. (Jun 6, 2024)" (ref: I lost this url reference - apologize)

~~~~

"National Do Not Call Registry" (ref: Wikipedia)

~~~~~~

How serious is the Do Not call list?

Anyone who violates the list can be fined up to $43,792 per call, the FTC states. So far, the FTC has sued hundreds of companies responsible for unwanted calls and has obtained more than $290 million in judgments against violators. Jul 19, 2023

~~~~~

- Also -

How can I check if a number is spam?

"Scammer Phone Numbers: Beware of These Area Codes" (ref: aura com ...

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

Scooby Doo — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:30:18 GMT

I just tried USPhonebook and it's very interesting. One of the numbers that called me belongs to a man who died in 1999. That would be a very long distance call.

Another number shows a name with it, but when searching the number it's assigned to an associate professor in NY, and also an international soccer player.

I had the option of reporting the number as spam which I did.

I did answer one of the calls day before yesterday and the guy asked for me personally. I told him that she was deceased and not to call again. I haven't received any calls today so it might have worked some.

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

SilleeMee — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:31:38 GMT

I usually do a Google search of the number in question. That does help somewhat.

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

Sage04 — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:53:01 GMT

I use Google also especially if my phone tells me how many times that number has called. One left a few voice messages informing me that the Sheriff was on his way with some papers for me. I stayed home but he never showed up lol.

Maybe he went to the wrong address

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

SaveTheTurtles — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 01:14:52 GMT

It's usually not worth the time to research the number. If you think it's a "dummy" call as I call them then it most likely is otherwise they would leave a voicemail.

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

ECBG — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 01:21:35 GMT

@on the bay

That's what I do too!

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

on the bay — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 01:22:44 GMT

@ECBG wrote:
@on the bay

That's what I do too!

@ECBG,

Great minds

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

Tori3569 — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 01:41:34 GMT

Just adding here that the number that comes up on your phone may not really be the number calling. It's very easy to spoof numbers. There are even apps that hide your number when you make calls if one is so inclined.

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

Estellee — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 17:09:54 GMT

I have received a few calls with my own number appearing on the caller id, that was interesting, lol.

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 17:43:42 GMT

@Estellee wrote:
I have received a few calls with my own number appearing on the caller id, that was interesting, lol.

@Estellee

Huh .... that's weird. lol

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

beckyb1012 — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 17:48:33 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
I usually do a Google search of the number in question. That does help somewhat.

I have found a few this way and just did it this morning on call I received not on my contact list. All I could tell was what city and I only know one person there and have not talked to him in about 10 years. Plus he did not have the number I have now back then. But google can be helpful.

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

Kachina624 — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 21:47:39 GMT

@Tori3569 wrote:
Just adding here that the number that comes up on your phone may not really be the number calling. It's very easy to spoof numbers. There are even apps that hide your number when you make calls if one is so inclined.

@Tori3569. That's true. Twice I've had my own name and phone number come up on the caller ID.