These days, it's becoming increasingly common to get unknown phone numbers calling your cell phone. Now, in most cases, these phone numbers are spam callers or a phone scam, but that doesn't make it any less annoying.
And then there are those cases where a mystery phone number calls your phone and you're not sure who it could be at all. You might even call the phone number back and not get a response.
In these cases, a free reverse phone lookup service can come in very handy. Free reverse phone number search allows you to enter unknown phone numbers into a background check site to find out who might own the phone number.
From there, you're usually provided with an extensive report that includes important data connected to that telephone number.
We've put together a list of the best reverse phone lookup websites out there. Most of them have free options so you can get started right away.
What is a reverse phone number lookup?
If you're wondering what reverse phone lookup is, let me give you a quick overview. Essentially, reverse phone number lookup services allow users to enter phone numbers into their site. The site then accesses a large database of public records for information connected to the phone number.In addition to phone numbers, most of these sites also give you the ability to search for information using an email address, name, and address.
What does reverse phone lookup tell you?
Performing a reverse phone number search can potentially give you access to a very wide range of data. Most of these sites can tell you important details on both landlines and cell phones. Some of the details you might discover include the following:• Name and address of the person who owns the phone number
• Find missing caller ID
• Social media accounts
• Criminal background
• Public record data
• Property history
• Education history
• Traffic tickets
• Arrest records
• Marriage and divorce records
• Date of birth
• Alternative cell phone numbers
• Find out if it's a phone scam
As you can see, these services can reveal quite a lot of details about the person who may be connected to the phone number. Other popular uses for these sites are to learn more about teachers, neighbors, owner histories, and even long lost relatives.
All that being said, each phone number lookup service on this list is very clear about what you can and can't use this information for.
What can you use the information for?
When it comes to background check sites and reverse phone lookup services, there are some very strict rules. These rules come straight from the Fair Credit Reporting Act, so it's in your best interest to stick to the guidelines. So, what are these rules exactly? The Fair Credit Reporting Act makes it very clear that the details on these sites cannot be used for certain purposes. Essentially, the details you learn about a person cannot be used to make decisions about admission to a program, housing, employment, insurance, or consumer credit.
On top of that, it should go without saying that the reverse lookup should never be used for identity theft, stalking, or other illegal purposes.
Alright, so what can you use the reverse lookup for? The simple answer is this: utilize these reverse phone search services to satisfy your personal curiosity. If you just want to check out who may be calling you from an unknown cell phone number, you should be in the clear.
When it comes to finding the best reverse phone lookup, it all boils down to your specific needs. Luckily for you, we've included pros and cons for each phone number lookup service. Without further ado, let’s go over these services.
1. InstantCheckMate - Best for finding reverse phone numbers
The Good:
• Professional, easy-to-use website is great for beginners
• Reports include multiple aspects including social media and criminal records
• Search according to numbers, name, and address
• The website provides access to public state records
The Bad:
• Loading times for reports are way too long
• Occasionally, the site doesn't provide any data, even for very common names
• Customer service can be slow to respond
Instant CheckMate is a popular background check website with a great option for reverse phone lookup services. The site is fully equipped with extensive public record data to provide detailed reports so you can find out exactly who owns the number.
The homepage of the site is for traditional background checks, so you'll want to head to the phone lookup section to search for cell phones and landlines.
Most people use the service to find social media accounts that may be connected to a mystery phone number. The site provides profiles for Twitter, Reddit, YouTube, and Facebook, just to name a few.
This feature makes Instant CheckMate one of the best options for finding individuals with a phone number alone. Overall, Instant CheckMate is a great option for finding details on unknown cell phones that you won't find in a Google search.
Check out Instant Checkmate
2. TruthFinder - Best for detailed background reports
The Good:
• It's available for mobile devices
• Typically provides up-to-date information in reports
• Provides data on social media accounts
• Very clear about what the information can be used for
The Bad:
• You have to purchase the full report, as opposed to select reports
• The site takes a while to search through records
• Too many pop-ups on the website
TruthFinder is a classic background check website that offers everything from criminal background checks to social media accounts. Of course, if you're reading this article, you're here for the cell phone lookup feature.
On Truthfinder, you can get detailed reports on any individual with information in the public records. That means social media accounts, criminal history, court records and more can be found with the reverse phone check system.
At first glance, TruthFinder seems to require a first and last name to do background checks, but you can search with a phone number as well. To find the reverse phone lookup feature, scroll to the very bottom of the homepage and select "Reverse Phone Lookup" under "Directories."
Check out TruthFinder
3. 411Check- Best for simple phone lookups
The Good:
• Super simple interface
• Search according to a phone number, name, address, or business
• Fast and easy way to identify an unknown number
The Bad:
• The simplicity of the website means there are limited features
• Smaller database
• You need the full name to use the name lookup feature
411Check is probably the simplest option on this list. If you're just looking for a fast way to do a reverse phone lookup, this is the way to go. Now, when I say this site is simple, I mean it. There are only about four features on the entire site.
Here's how it works. If you are strictly interested in a reverse phone lookup service, click on the "Who Called" tab. From there, enter the phone number you are interested in doing a reverse phone number search for.
If the telephone number is in the database, the site will provide you with a list of search results as well as a map of locations connected to the phone number. You can also use the name lookup service once you find out the name of the person attached to unknown numbers.
Now, the biggest downside of this website is the rather limited database it uses. You may have a harder time finding the person connected to the cell phone number you're searching for. That being said, it's a super easy free reverse phone number service for quick searches.
Check out 411Check
4. Intelius - Best customer support service
The Good:
• The website is sleek and easy-to-use
• Very accessible customer support team
• The site earned an "A" rating from the better business bureau
The Bad:
• Pricing on paid plans isn't clear
• Some users have reported inaccurate data
Intelius is certainly one of the most professional background check sites on the web. The sleek site is excellent for a variety of background check needs, including reverse phone number lookup services.
One of the more unique aspects to Intellius is the ability to find out education history. If an individual's educational data is in the public record, you can find it in a report from Intelius.
The only downside to this free reverse phone lookup is that you have to create an account to view the final report. Even with that slight snag, you'll receive an extremely detailed report after you sign up for the service.
Check out Intelius
5. BeenVerified - Best for anonymous reverse cell phone lookups
The Good:
• The company takes user anonymity very seriously
• Excellent customer support team
• Users can search from their mobile phone
The Bad:
• The search results can take several minutes to load
• Free features are limited
BeenVerified is a well-known reverse phone lookup service that provides all background check services. If this company sounds familiar it's because it's the go-to free reverse phone number lookup for the television show "Catfish."
The reason BeenVerified has gained its popularity is because of its transparency. The site tells you exactly how it finds its information, what you can use it for, and what you can expect from the service.
With that in mind, it's important to go in with realistic expectations. The reverse phone check can tell you things like which social media platforms a person is connected to, or even their home address. Even so, the site is limited to public records, so if those records are not current, the information may not be totally accurate.
One last thing to keep in mind here is that this service is not totally free. It actually costs $1 to access the trial period. That being said, with a price that low, it may as well be free.
Check out BeenVerified
6. PublicSeek - Best for nationwide reverse phone lookup services
The Good:
• Multiple search options for background checks
• Access to a massive database of 10 billion public records
• Very accurate and up-to-date information
• Get alerts when information is updated
The Bad:
• Users need to sign up for an account to access a report
• Premium features can get pricey
PublicSeek is a background check website that offers its users access to a huge database of public records. If you're having trouble finding information on a person, you might have better luck using PublicSeek.
Reports will include criminal records, contact information, home address, bankruptcies, professional license, and other personal information that you may find useful. If all you have is a phone number, you can use the reverse phone lookup service to learn who may have called you.
This reverse phone lookup works for both cell phone numbers and landlines. One of the biggest problems people run into with reverse phone number services is out of date information. PublicSeek updates its records every 24 hours so you won't run into this problem as often with this option.
Overall, Publicseek is a simple, easy-use-option for finding information attached to mystery phone numbers.
Check out PublicSeek
7. CocoFinder - Best for international reverse phone number searches
The Good:
• Search results are fast and accurate
• Excellent user advice to help you in your search
• Reverse cell phone lookup for multiple countries
The Bad:
• Some of the services come at an extra price
• No option for mobile devices
CocoFinder is one of the most comprehensive reverse phone search options out there. Not only can this service help you find out the identity of a person, but it can also reveal their address, email, and a complete background check.
One of the more unique features of this reverse phone number lookup is the ability to find alternative phone numbers. That means if someone has blocked you, you can find a list of alternative telephone numbers to check out.
The phone number search is super easy to use— just enter the phone number you're curious about, wait a few minutes and take a look at the provided report.
One big pro to using CocoFinder is that it doesn't require membership to use the free reverse phone lookup. Just hop on the site and take advantage of the service. Because you don't have to enter any payment or sign-up information, your identity remains private at all times.
Check out CocoFinder
Other sites that didn’t make top our list
1. https://infotracer.com/
2. https://www.ussearch.com/
3. https://www.verifirst.com/
4. https://www.peoplelooker.com/
5. https://www.verifiedcredentials.com/
Reverse Phone Lookup- Last Thoughts
Well, there you have it, folks. As you can see, there are several excellent options out there when it comes to finding a reverse phone number lookup tool. Most of these sites provide an array of ways to find information about the person who is calling you. If you're looking to solve the identity behind a mystery phone number, these sites have got you covered. Most of these sites also allow you to search with the person's name, address, or business for additional data.
The biggest thing to remember is that the details you learn on these sites should never be used to make professional or legal decisions. That being said, there is a wealth of information to be learned about unknown phone numbers that can be used to satisfy your curiosity. I hope you found this article helpful, and good luck with your search!
