Reply
Honored Contributor
Posts: 46,786
Registered: ‎08-23-2010

TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

 

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!

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 23,671
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

Scammers use FAKE phone numbers

♥Surface of the Sun♥
Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,664
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

@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.

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"
Honored Contributor
Posts: 77,922
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

@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.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,007
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

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

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,629
Registered: ‎05-21-2010

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

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

Honored Contributor
Posts: 46,786
Registered: ‎08-23-2010

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?


@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.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,788
Registered: ‎09-01-2010

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

@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.  

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,871
Registered: ‎09-02-2022

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

[ Edited ]

 

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 ...

"Don’t forget to be kind to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!" TLB
Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,071
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

Re: TRACKING AN UNKNOWN PHONE NUMBER?

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.