Spam and scam calls are on the rise, which means that a lot of Americans are on the verge of losing their hard-earned money to fraudsters. In fact, many already have.According to Truecaller, in 2023, total losses due to spam and scam calls in the U.S. amounted to $25.4 billion. So far, 56.2 million Americans have fallen for phone scams, and the number is expected to grow if no necessary measures are taken.Some people, especially these days, refrain from calls from unknown numbers. Others want to know who the caller is before answering, and this is the right decision to make.
With so many threats that unknown calls pose, it’s important to figure out who is on the other end of the line. Luckily, there are a few effective methods that will help you do just that.In this article, we will take a look at the ways through which you can find out who is calling you from an unknown number. Let’s begin!
6 Effective Ways to Know Who Stands Behind an Unknown Number
- Reverse Search the Number
Reverse phone lookup, or reverse phone search, is the first method to try to get the job done. Reverse phone lookup services can help you identify the name of the caller. In addition, they can reveal the caller’s age, workplace, profession, location, and even criminal records. All this can help you determine whether the call is worth taking.
Reverse phone number lookup services operate by collecting information from public records and gathering it in reports. Depending on the information available in public records, you will be able to locate the details about the caller in question.
These number searches are completely anonymous, which means that the caller will not be notified that their number has been looked up.
To perform a reverse number search, you need to type in the number into the search bar on the platform you are using and hit enter.
- Search the Number on Google
The easiest, even though not always an effective option, is to search an unknown number on Google. If the number has been used many times to call people and has been involved in any suspicious activity, such as spam or scams, there is a high possibility that someone shared information about it on forums, social media, or other channels.
To find out who the caller is, all you need is to enter the number in Google’s search bar and hit enter. If the page where the number has been shared is indexed, you will most likely find the information you need about the caller. If not, you will at least know if the number is safe to answer.
To make the search more effective, try different variations of formatting. For example:
- (111) 111-1111
- 111-111-1111
- 1111111111
If the number is listed in a database or online forum in a specific format, the correct search is more likely to catch it.
To narrow down results, put the phone number in quotation marks. This will help you filter out irrelevant results and give you pages that specifically mention the number you are looking for.
- Check Social Media Platforms
Using social media platforms to check who uses an unknown number to call you will not go to waste. Facebook, for example, has a powerful search feature that allows you to type the number into the search bar to see if it is linked to any account on the platform. You may also find profiles, pages, or posts where that number is mentioned.
Instagram, on the other hand, doesn’t have a direct number search feature. Nevertheless, if the person has used their number when registering, you might find the account in the “Discover People” section on the platform. Many business accounts on Instagram also display their contact information in the bio, so if the unknown caller has a business account, it might help.
If you are searching on X, check tweets, bios, and comments. Sometimes people tweet their numbers for business purposes or report numbers to let other users know if it is a scam.
You can also add the number to your contact list and sync your address book with messengers like Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber, and the like to see if the caller is registered on any messenger.
- Use a Caller Identification App
Using a caller identification app, such as TrueCaller, Hiya, CallApp, Mr. Number, or Whoscall, is an effective way to identify who stands behind an unknown number. These apps offer real-time identification and warnings for potential scams, making it easier to determine if it is worth taking the call.
Note that each app has its unique features. That is why it is important to choose one based on your priorities.
Most caller ID apps allow you to customize how calls are handled. In general, there are three features you can choose from:
- Real-time caller ID shows the caller’s identity before you answer.
- Automatic spam blocking automatically blocks spam or scam calls, which means that the scammer will not be able to reach you.
- Notifications and warnings make it possible for the app to alert you of a potentially fraudulent call.
Most caller ID apps also come with extra features, such as call recording, blacklisting, and automatic updates. The latter means that apps automatically update their databases whenever someone reports a number.
- Dial *69
Dialing *69 allows to find out the number of the last person who called you. This feature is called “Last Call Return” and is used by Americans in certain regions with specific service providers.
When you dial *69, your phone carrier will connect you to the last number that called you. In some regions, this service may announce the number of the last caller. This is especially useful when you just want to know who tried to reach out to you without calling them back.
However, this function doesn’t come without drawbacks. For example, it doesn’t work for blocked or private numbers, may expire after a certain time, and is not always free to use. As for the latter, check with your service provider to see if any additional costs are associated with this feature.
- Look Up Area Codes
When it seems that you have tried all the options but there is still no result, you can look up the area code of the number to get a general idea about where the caller is from.
In North America, area codes typically have three digits and indicate specific regions, cities, and towns. For example, area code 701 belongs to North Dakota, 302 is associated with Delaware, and the state of California has 38 area codes, including 209, 213, 279, and others.
If the number has an international dialing code, such as +44 (UK), +61 (Australia), +46 (Sweden), or +91 (India), it can help you determine the country of origin.
It is also important to know that certain area codes are notorious for telemarketing or scam calls. They include 232 (Sierra Leone), 242 (Bahamas), 246 (Barbados), 284 (British Virgin Islands), 473 (Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique), and more.
Summing Up
Calls from unknown numbers are not as harmless as they seem. Impersonation scams, phishing calls, falsified numbers, masked identity, harassment, and stalking are just the tip of the iceberg.
A high number of Americans fall for phone scams each year, losing billions of dollars. To avoid becoming a victim, it is essential to know who you are talking to.
There are several ways to find out who stands behind an unknown number. Reverse searching the number, searching it on Google, checking social media, using a caller ID app, dialing *69, and looking up an area code are some of the most effective ways to determine who tried to call you.
