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Every day, millions of people receive phone calls from numbers they don’t recognize. While caller ID works well for landlines, it does not work well for mobile numbers or VoIP numbers. The following guide tells you how to figure out an unknown caller using several methods.
How to Figure Out an Unknown Caller by Contacting Law Enforcement
First, it’s important to understand that some numbers can’t be traced easily. In some cases, numbers can’t even be traced by law enforcement. However, if you receive a phone call, and it says “Private Number” on the caller ID, that means that the person has a caller ID blocking device on their phone. Alternatively, they may be dialing a prefix before each call that blocks caller ID from working. Here is how you can figure out the number.
Step 1: If you have received a threatening or abusive phone call from a blocked number, contact your local police department on their non-emergency line for more assistance.
Step 2: If you have received a threatening phone call that you believe could indicate immediate danger, contact 911 immediately.
How to Figure Out an Unknown Caller by Googling the Number
Step 1: If you simply don’t recognize the number that is calling you, it’s usually possible to find out more information on that number by searching for it on Google.
Step 2: In many cases, this will turn up relevant databases that provide a name and address associated with that number.
How to Figure Out an Unknown Caller by Using an App
There are also a variety of apps available for Android and Apple devices that provide real-time reverse caller ID. Here’s how to use them.
Step 1: When you receive a phone call from a number you don’t recognize, these apps search their databases for the number.
Step 2: If the number is in their database, it will be displayed on your called ID. Unfortunately, there can be a downside to using these types of apps. In many cases, caller ID apps designed for smartphones will look through your contact list and add all the names there to their internal database. If you’re comfortable giving up some of your privacy, these apps can be very beneficial.
There are also a variety of online website that offer reverse caller ID services. However, these services are very limited when it comes to mobile phone numbers. Since many people rely exclusively on their mobile phone number these days, it may not be possible to find the name of a caller this way. By learning how to figure out an unknown caller, you’ll be better prepared for all unknown calls in the future. If you have any questions regarding this topic, use the comments section below.
