Trying to get through the daily grind can be difficult when your phone springs to life every five minutes due to unknown numbers calling. Even worse, these calls come with the added caveat that every action or response you make outside of ignoring them completely can increase the prevalence of phone calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suppose you have a moment where you decide to let them have a piece of your mind, which tells the scammer (as well as all of his associates) that you have an active number. Try to decline it immediately; they will also know that your number is still live. Anonymous callers<\/a> are getting smarter every day, and the strategies they employ are increasingly harder to avoid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what can you do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, quite a bit actually. This article is a step-by-step method to flip the script and figure out how to find an unknown number easily and with limited footwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not every unknown number is going to be a scammer. Sometimes it can be as innocent as a couple of kids hiding their number and prank calling every seven-digit combination they can think of. Other times, it can be a stalker, a person you have removed from your life, or a cold caller hoping to secure a sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thankfully, as scammers get increasingly clever, Americans are growing more wary. A 2020 survey<\/a> found that only 19% of Americans answer calls from unknown numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite this, repeated phone calls can still become very annoying, distracting, or even intimidating, depending on the number of missed calls you are forced to let go to voicemail. By figuring out how to track these numbers, you can figure out who has been calling you and potentially dissuade them from bothering you in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before we start getting into all the different websites, services, and applications you can use to find a number, let’s discuss some basic tools every cell phone owner should know about. The first and lesser-known command is the \u201c*57\u201d dial command that will signal your service provider to trace the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on which phone service you use, the fees will differ. You will not have to pay every time you use the command, but you will likely<\/em> be charged a fee every time your provider finds the information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always make sure that you use *57 directly after an unknown number calls you, as it will only trace the last incoming number your phone received. If you intend to report the number to the police, it is heavily recommended that you jot down the time and date that the call was made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A command that most people are familiar with, \u201c*69,\u201d allows you to call back the last number that was received by your phone. Unfortunately, like the previous dial command, *69 will either require a subscription through your service provider or it will charge a per-use fee for most cell services. Similarly, your cellular service will also determine how the command functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While certain providers offer an option to return the call, this may not be the wisest choice. While it may scare off certain individuals, it could embolden scammers who are now aware that the number is active and aware of their calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For most phones, typing in *69 then hitting the \u201cCall\u201d button (green circle with a white phone) will activate the command, while others will work without needing to call out. This will then bring up a recording that will categorically list any publicly available information on the phone. If this does not work, do not get discouraged; there are plenty of avenues left open to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Admittedly, a bit of a wild card on whether or not your service provider will comply; it is always good to inquire about a number through your cell service. Sometimes asking to find the details of a number will be enough, while other times they will list the options available to you (such as the ones discussed above).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best way to reach out to your cellular provider is to call the company’s support line directly. While some may prefer to go to a local store, the representatives there may not be as well-equipped or qualified to deal with tracing numbers as a support specialist would be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Service providers will typically weigh these decisions on a person-by-person basis, and it is good to write down any details you find relevant. Have the numbers been threatening you? Do they call at certain times? How many times do they call? All this is relevant not only to your provider but to local law enforcement should you choose to file a police report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the service provider rejects your request, be sure to ask about any spam-blocking features or preventative measures they offer. Individual companies may have unique options to prevent unknown numbers from bugging you in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The FCC estimates that the United States public receives around 4 billion \u201crobocalls\u201d<\/a> per month. While we often think of phone (and email) scams as something that is reserved exclusively for older adults, individuals of all ages and occupations experience this universal dilemma. The tech world has responded in a number of ways, including apps, websites, and services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both iOS and Android offer proficient caller ID and call tracking applications. These don\u2019t just log unknown numbers, but several have databases of known spam numbers that they will automatically block to prevent you from being hassled. Unfortunately, with the increase in \u201cspoofed numbers<\/a>,\u201d there is a chance that some calls will sneak through the cracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While some of these apps will offer free versions or even trial periods, most will require a subscription or a one-time purchase fee. If you are receiving a considerable number of spam calls per month, it may be worth it to put a couple of dollars into an app every month. For others, the extra subscription may feel like an unnecessary financial burden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While all the methods above can individually find your unknown number, no solution will be as efficient or comprehensive as a reverse phone lookup<\/a>. Reverse phone lookups are brilliant digital tools that can bring back a wealth of information simply by entering a phone number. The system will go through a massive public database and return a list of relevant details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reverse phone lookup services will almost always cost a fee or a subscription, despite many claiming to be \u201centirely free.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, reverse phone lookup services have their own problems. Typing in \u201creverse phone lookup\u201d in Google will bring back thousands of results, many of which are not trustworthy sites. Several lookup services have websites filled with spyware, endless advertisements, and no guarantee that your financial information will be kept secure.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFive Ways to Find an Unknown Number<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Use *57<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Use *69<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Reach Out to Your Cellular Service<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Try 3rd Party Tracking Apps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Use a Reverse Phone Lookup<\/h3>\n\n\n\n