How to Find People by Phone Number

All of us, or at least most of us have been in that position where we urgently needed to find someone but we couldn't. Either their phones were turned off, they blocked you, or you just can't reach them directly for other reasons.?

This can be very frustrating.

But to ensure no one else goes through this, I took it upon myself to do the research and write this guide for you. Here, you will find all the ways, free and paid, to find people just by phone number.

The Top 3 Ways to Find People By Phone Number

1. Reverse phone lookup services - PeopleFinders, PeopleLookup, Spokeo, BeenVerified, TruthFinder, Whitepages, Trucaller, Intelius, AnyWho, USPhonebook
2. Online search engines - Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo
3. Social media platforms - Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter (now X), Snapchat, and WhatsApp

1. Reverse Phone Lookup Services

We picked this method as the number one choice because it is the most practical and reliable approach. Through various reverse phone lookup services, you can get a range of information, from basic contact details to more extensive background data.

Understanding Reverse Phone Lookup Services

How these services work is that they allow you to enter a phone number and receive information about the person or entity it is registered to. This can include the owner's name, address, email address, and/ or associated social media profiles.

They compile data from public records, online profiles, and other legally available sources. The accuracy and depth of information can vary based on the service's database and how frequently it's updated.

It is important to note that while many services offer basic lookups for free, most of them charge for more detailed reports.

Free services might provide just the name or location, which may be good enough for you if that’s the information you are looking for. However, for advanced search, you might want to upgrade to paid services for more comprehensive background checks.

Popular Reverse Phone Lookup Services

There are multiple reverse phone lookup services in the market, but not all of them are convenient. So, we compiled a list of the reliable software, starting with the best;

1. PeopleFinders

PeopleFinders is an online service offering reverse phone lookup and other people search tools. All you need to do on this website is enter a phone number, and you can access details about the number's owner.

The reports may include names, addresses, phone carriers, and potentially more in-depth background information, sourced from public records. The accuracy of this data depends on how current and complete these records are.

Note that while it is a valuable resource for identifying unknown callers or verifying personal information, it's crucial to be aware of privacy, ethical considerations, and legal constraints in using the data obtained.

There is a free version for basic reports. If you want full access to detailed information, you require a subscription or a fee. Be mindful of the terms, especially regarding free trials and subscription renewals.

2. PeopleLookup.co

PeopleLookup.co is another efficient web-based search engine for locating missing friends, relatives, or any individual using publicly accessible information, by phone number.

It offers a user-friendly service that delivers comprehensive, insightful, and actionable information drawn from various sources including national directories, state records, and public search engines.

PeopleLookUp.co offers its services for free, making it accessible for anyone looking to find information using publicly available data. The website provides a large database that is compatible with various devices, ensuring ease of use and accessibility.

3. Spokeo

Spokeo specializes in aggregating and organizing vast amounts of data from various online and offline sources to provide detailed information for their users. It compiles data from public records, social media accounts, marketing databases, and more, offering a comprehensive view of various individuals.

Reports include contact details, background information, and social profiles. Basic search results such as names emails, and addresses are offered for free. For more in-depth background reports, you need a paid subscription.

4. BeenVerified

BeenVerified provides comprehensive information, including contact details, criminal records, social media profiles, and more. It gathers and organizes its data from various public records and sources to offer a detailed view of an individual's background.

You can use it for both personal and professional purposes, such as reconnecting with an old friend, checking out online sellers or buyers, or understanding more about new acquaintances.

While it operates on a subscription model, with different tiers of information access, BeenVerified allows a 7-day low-cost trial offer for new users at only $1. This gives you full access to detailed reports and a great opportunity to gauge the service and decide if it is convenient enough for you.

You can always cancel before the 7 days are over if it doesn't serve you accordingly.

5. TruthFinder

TruthFinder is a reliable online background check service that offers in-depth public record searches by more than just phone numbers (you can also search by names and emails).

It provides detailed reports that include personal information such as contact details, addresses, and social media profiles, as well as more sensitive data like criminal records and court documents.

The service pulls this information from various public records sources such as federal, state, and local public records, social media data, publicly available data, and data brokers, and you can use it for personal background checks, verifying online acquaintances, or researching unknown contacts.

TruthFinder operates on a subscription basis and has different subscription plans to fit different needs.

Other popular reverse phone Lookup Sites include;

Whitepages - A comprehensive directory service offering reverse phone lookups, background checks, and contact information. It's known for its extensive database of public records and contact details.

TrueCaller - Primarily a mobile app, TrueCaller identifies incoming calls and filters out spam. You can use it to search for names using phone numbers to identify unknown callers or contacts.

Intelius - Provides detailed background check services, including reverse phone lookup. Intelius gets information from public records to compile in-depth reports on different individuals.

AnyWho - A free online directory service that offers reverse phone lookups, allowing users to find people or businesses by phone number.

USPhonebook - Another free reverse phone lookup service you can use to get basic contact information.

How to Use Reverse Phone Lookup Services

Using reverse phone lookup services is probably the easiest thing to do. They typically have a simple interface and are easy to navigate.

First, visit any of the sites discussed above (peoplelookup) and enter the phone number into the search bar. Make sure to use the correct format as required by the platform.

Second, review the basic information provided. Many services will initially provide basic information for free, including the location or the name of the carrier.

Step three, decide whether you want to get the paid subscription, that is, if you need a more detailed report with more information. Always check what’s included in the paid service before purchasing.

Once you receive the information, study it carefully. Understand that some details might be outdated or inaccurately recorded, and you may need to cross-reference the information

Tips and Best Practices for Using Reverse Phone Lookup Services

• Use multiple services to cross-reference information for accuracy
• Choose services that regularly update their databases to ensure more accurate information
• Be cautious of services that promise overly detailed information for high fees or those that lack transparency about their sources
• Take heed of privacy and consent and respect privacy laws and ethical considerations. Using this information for harassment, stalking, or other illegal activities is prohibited and may land you in trouble

2. Online Search Engines

When you hear about an online search engine, you probably think of Google. But that is just one of the multiple online search engines available today. Other popular search engines include Bing, Yandex, and DuckDuckGo.

These are software systems designed to carry out web searches in a systematic way to find particular information specified in a textual web search query. The results you get from your search query may be a mix of links to web pages, images, videos, infographics, articles, research papers, and other types of files.

Some search engines also get their data from databases or open directories. However, unlike web directories, which are maintained only by human editors, search engines also maintain real-time information by running an algorithm on a web crawler.

How to Find People by Phone Number Using Online Search Engines

Finding people by phone number in search engines is a pretty straightforward process. However, the success, and accuracy of the search can vary depending on factors such as privacy settings, the public availability of the number, and the policies of the search engine.

Here are some tips to go about your search;

• All you need to do is simply go to Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, or any other of your preferred search engines and enter the number in the search bar
• Include the area code and consider formatting variations (like dashes, spaces, or parentheses around the area code)
• If you know the country of origin of the number, use a search engine that is more popular or specialized in that country
• If you know the location associated with the phone number (like a city or region), include that in your search query to narrow down the results

Once you follow the above steps and tips in your search, you can always find social media profiles linked with the number, images, and even websites and other online platforms. This makes your search even faster and easier.

3. Social Media Platforms

Finding people by phone number on online social media platforms is another convenient method. However, it's important to understand that different social media platforms have different rules and features, and therefore require different approaches.

Here is how to conduct searches on different platforms;

1. Facebook

Search bar - Simply entering the phone number into Facebook's search bar can sometimes lead directly to a person's profile.

Account linking - Many users link their phone numbers to their Facebook accounts for recovery or login purposes, which makes them searchable.

Privacy settings impact - The success of this method heavily depends on the individual's privacy settings. If they've chosen to keep their phone number private, it won’t show up in search results.

Messenger - If you have the person's phone number saved in your contacts, Facebook Messenger might suggest them as a friend.

2. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is less likely to yield results from a phone number search due to its professional nature and stricter privacy settings. However, syncing your phone contacts with LinkedIn might help identify profiles linked to those numbers.

3. Instagram

Contact syncing - Similar to Facebook, syncing your phone contacts with Instagram can help you find profiles associated with those numbers.

Search functionality - This can yield results if the number is used in the username or bio of the individual.

4. Twitter

Twitter has limited searchability as it does not always link profiles with phone numbers. However, if the phone number you are searching is mentioned in tweets or bios, you can find the profile of the person.

5. Snapchat

If you have the person's phone number saved in your contacts, Snapchat allows you to add them as a friend if their account is linked to that number. Keep in mind that Snapchat’s privacy settings may limit this functionality, depending on the user’s preferences and settings.

6. WhatsApp

Adding the phone number to your phone's contact list and then accessing WhatsApp can show you if there's an associated WhatsApp account. You can then view the person’s name, profile photo, and status if they have set them to be publicly visible.

Click to Check Background

Tips to Find People by Phone Number on Social Media Platforms

Update contact list - Ensure your phone’s contact list is updated, as this can help in syncing with various social media platforms.

Respect privacy - Always remember to respect privacy and ethical boundaries in your search.

Check platform policies - Familiarize yourself with each platform’s specific policies and terms regarding searching and connecting with people.

Utilizing Public Records

This is a bonus way to find people by phone number. Utilizing public records is a method that taps into a variety of governmental and public sources. These records can be anything from property filings to court documents and may contain in-depth information and lead to finding an individual.

Understanding Public Records

Public records are documents or pieces of information that are not considered confidential. They can include birth and death records, marriage licenses, property records, court documents, and sometimes even phone numbers.

While accessing these records may be easy, it varies by factors such as country and region. In many cases, you can find these records available online. In other cases, you need to pay a physical visit to a government office.

Online Public Record Databases

Government websites - Many government agencies have online databases. For example, the U.S. has sites like PACER for court documents, where phone numbers can sometimes be found in legal filings.

Local government portals - County or city websites often have property records, business licenses, and other public documents that might include contact information.

Public record search services - Websites like PublicRecords.gov, BRB Publications, or SearchSystems provide access to a wide range of public records. Some services are free, while others might charge a fee.

Using Phone Numbers in Public Records

Property records - These can include ownership details which might be linked to phone numbers.

Business filings - If someone owns a business, the registration documents could list their contact information, including a phone number.

Court documents - Legal proceedings, especially those in civil court, can have phone numbers listed in filings or judgments.

Professional licenses - Records of professional licenses might include contact numbers as part of the public profile.

Libraries and Archives

Local libraries - Some libraries have access to public record databases and archives that are not readily available online

Historical archives - For older records, historical archives can be a valuable resource, though they are less likely to have phone numbers

Tips for Effective Searching

Know what you're looking for: Have a clear understanding of what type of record might contain the phone number.

Utilize multiple sources - Cross-reference information from different types of public records for better accuracy.

Follow legal protocols - Ensure you are complying with all legal requirements when accessing and using public records.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I Find Someone’s Address by Their Phone Number?

Yes. Reverse phone lookup services, public records, and some social media platforms may provide an address associated with a phone number. However, the accuracy and availability of this information depend on the service used and the privacy preferences of the individual.

Are Online Reverse Phone Lookup Services Accurate?

The accuracy of reverse phone lookup services varies. These services gather information from various public and private sources, so the data might be outdated or incomplete. Always cross-reference information from multiple sources for better accuracy.

Is It Possible to Find Someone’s Phone Number for Free?

Yes, there are several free methods to find someone’s phone number. Online directories, some reverse phone lookup services, and social media platforms can provide this information without a fee. However, more detailed information might require a paid service.

Can Mobile Apps Identify Unknown Phone Numbers?

Yes, mobile apps like TrueCaller and Hiya can identify unknown phone numbers by using caller ID technology and accessing large databases of phone numbers. They can provide the name and sometimes additional information about the caller.

How Can I Protect My Own Privacy When Searching?

Be cautious about the services you use, especially those requiring personal information. Review their privacy policies and avoid sharing sensitive data. Additionally, be mindful of your digital footprint when conducting searches.

Conclusion

There are many ways to find people by phone number. As discussed in this article, you can use reverse phone lookup services, online search engines, social media platforms, public records, and mobile identification apps like Truecaller.

While each method has its unique strengths and limitations, a strategic and ethical approach, combined with cross-referencing information from multiple sources, can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your search.

Finally, Always remember to prioritize respecting individual privacy, adhere to legal standards, and use the information you obtain responsibly.