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Americans received nearly 46 billion robocalls in 2020. Spam calls in general rose by 18%. And call scams? Well, they swindled $19.7 billion in the US. That’s more than double the amount lost during 2019. So, chances are you’ve encountered some type of phone harassment, too, at least in the form of a telemarketer, political solicitation, or robocall, if not a call scam.
And one unpleasant experience is enough to make you think twice about answering the phone the next time you see an unfamiliar number. Spam calls, in particular, could be very persistent, while scammers could be extremely convincing, making it almost impossible to identify them. This is when you need the help of a reverse phone lookup. It could help identify unrecognized numbers, save you from spam calls, and even protect you from fraud.
So, want to find out the best options for a reverse phone search? Here are the top 5 tools for 2021.
1. Google
With 70,000 searches per second, Google claims over 90% of the search market. And to maintain its dominance over other search engines, Google crawls and indexes a massive amount of web pages each day. This makes it an indispensable resource for background searches.
But how does it fare with reverse phone lookups? The incredible amount of data Google indexes each day can significantly increase your chances of finding a match. It could instantly sift through various online sources and display relevant information if available. But keep in mind that it might not capture all online data in its search results. For example, you might not find content on paid resources or pages Google hasn’t indexed. But considering that it’s a free service, it’s definitely worth a try.
2. Nuwber
Nuwber is a people search site that also provides reverse phone search services. It’s an excellent option if you’re looking for a reliable tool to find accurate information. The large-scale databases they’ve built will also improve your likelihood of finding more details. In fact, Nuwber will not just help you find the name behind a number. It could also get you their contact details, financial information, and even any criminal records. And it’s continuously collecting, sorting, and storing data to ensure its databases maintain up-to-date information.
Besides, all searches on Nuwber are anonymous, and it assures full confidentiality. Of course, the biggest advantage is the level of information it could retrieve compared to other reverse lookup tools. Now, the more comprehensive reports will come at a cost. But even its free service will give you enough insights to help uncover a caller’s identity.
3. Facebook
Facebook is often an overlooked resource for a reverse phone search. But with 2.7 billion active monthly users, it’s definitely an important information source. And if there is a match, the popular social media platform could lead you to some useful information. For example, if the number in question was involved in fraudulent activity, there’s a high chance that one or more users have already shared it. And this type of information also tends to go viral, extending the conversation around them. If that’s the case, a search on Facebook might also lead you to others who have encountered experiences similar to yours. This could create an excellent opportunity to reach out for support and warn more people.
But bear in mind that many users keep their contact details private on Facebook. So, the chances of matching the number to a profile are pretty slim. But it’s a free service that still demands a try.
4. Phone directories
Companies like AT&T also provide options for you to look up unfamiliar numbers. These usually come in the form of directory assistance. It’s one of the easiest, simplest, and quickest ways to do a reverse search, especially when you’re in a hurry. So, if you want to find the registered name of a caller, reach out to their directory assistance services.
But there are a few limitations. To begin with, most telecommunication service providers will only offer this service to their customers. And for you to find a number’s owner, it should be on the same phone network as you. If they are, don’t expect anything more than a name. Having said that, this service is often accessible for free and is also available for both mobile phones and landlines. Some companies like Verizon even provide access to online white pages and printed directories.
5. Caller ID apps
Now, if you don’t want to go through the hassle of searching numbers online or calling directory assistance services, the best option for you is a caller ID app. It’s an effortless way to find out who’s calling, even when they are not part of your contact list.
But how exactly do they work? They use user-generated databases of unknown numbers to screen your calls and find a match. These databases often contain all sorts of spam and scam callers and are updated daily based on user feedback. They may even go a step further and block spam callers on your behalf, record phone calls, and backup your call history. Of course, these additional features will depend on the app you choose. But remember, caller ID apps usually will not be able to provide more than a name-based, and sometimes location-based, identity for your calls.
The bottom line is, you no longer need to feel harassed by unknown callers or guess the identity of an unfamiliar number. There are effective options to help you with a hassle-free reverse phone lookup. But which option you choose should depend on your specific requirements. So, assess how much information you need based on each situation and select one of the above options to discover the caller’s identity.
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