Do you wish to expose a cold caller? Or maybe find out more about someone’s phone number?
There are now lots of websites that do premium and free reverse phone searches. Couple this with extensive public records and you can build a complete profile on anyone!
We’ve reviewed 13 of the leading options, so you can find the best phone number lookup tool for you. Read on to learn how to:
Identify scammers and nuisance callers
Find out who your partner has been messaging
Locate lost friends and family members
Discover someone’s criminal past
Best Reverse Phone Lookup Reviews
1. TruthFinder
TruthFinder is one of the best reverse phone lookup and background check sites on the web. All you need is a name or phone number. You can pull everything from criminal records to social media profiles. The unique dark web scan is particularly useful for checking if your own personal details have been exposed to criminals.
• Accurate results
• Affordable phone reports
• Unique dark web monitoring
TruthFinder is a comprehensive public records service that supports reverse phone lookup for $4.99 a month. You can also access detailed background reports. The depth of information is significantly higher than a lot of competitors.
Features
1. Reverse Phone Search
The reverse phone number lookup offered by TruthFinder is only one aspect of their service. On its own, it’s quite cost-effective, as you can pull unlimited reports for $4.99 a month. You will need to pay extra to access detailed information about individuals, however.
If you only have a phone number and are trying to check who has called you, this is an excellent entry point.
2. Name Search
TruthFinder works best when you already know someone’s name. You can start a search right away on the homepage by entering a name, city, and state in the search bar. You’ll then be prompted to answer some questions to narrow down the results – age range, relatives, and possible areas they have lived.
The more you already know, the more accurate the results. You’ll still be shown all viable matches though, even if you have nothing more than their name and state.
You can search for free, but you’ll have to pay for a membership if you want more than basic results. Free results typically highlight age, location, and up to seven possible relatives.
Full reports aim to reveal:
- Birth and death records
- All possible relatives
- Roommates, exes, and business associates
- Location and property history
- Education and employment history
- Phone numbers and email addresses
- Criminal records
- Assets
- Social media and dating profiles
Information is presented in an easily digestible way and the family tree builder is a nice touch.
3. Dark Web Scan
One of TruthFinder’s newest features is a dark web scan. The dark web is an encrypted and anonymous version of the Web where cybercriminals trade in stolen data.
Rather than tracking down someone else, this feature is intended to reveal whether your own personal information is being exposed or sold. You can keep tabs on anything from your Social Security or bank account numbers to your email address.
TruthFinder scans illegal marketplaces, forums, and websites. If something substantial is found, you are encouraged to take steps like changing your passwords, informing your financial providers, and contacting the police.
Pricing
TruthFinder uses a subscription model rather than charging per background check. Plans are as follows:
- $27.78 per month
- $46.04 for two months in advance
- $4.99 for reverse phone number search only
Verdict
TruthFinder has a user-friendly interface with well-presented reports. Test searches revealed accurate and up-to-date information. The overall depth of the data is impressive.
The phone number lookup feature is an excellent starting point because it can quickly return caller names. Once you have a name, a full background check is only a click away.
2. Instant CheckMate
If you want to reverse lookup a number and build a full background profile on someone, Instant Checkmate can help. It provides a wide array of accurate data. You can even get unlimited access if you pay for a subscription.
•Well organized reports
•Location satellite photos
•Sex offender data
Instant Checkmate accesses a large number of public records so you can build an accurate profile on someone. You can easily do a telephone number lookup or explore a person’s background with just their name and city.
Features
1. Reverse Number Lookup
Instant Checkmate’s phone number search isn’t front and center, but it’s one of many search functions available. It allows you to plug in any telephone number, such as one from a nuisance caller, and it will scan its databases and public records.
As well as the caller’s name results aim to reveal the phone carrier and the location of the call. Virtually every registered landline in the United States is covered, including some that aren’t in the telephone directory. You can also look up cell phone numbers.
If a number is linked to a name, you can access a full person’s report.
2. People Search
The main people search is most user’s starting point and can be done directly from the homepage. At a minimum, you’ll need the person’s first name, last name, and state to get meaningful results. Knowing their city and age further narrows down the results.
3. Email Search
As well as a reverse number search, you can do one based on an email address. Depending on how forthright the account holder has been, you can discover their entire background. All it takes is for them to have used the address on the open web or on a public record.
4. Address Lookup
Searching by address can reveal:
- Property value
- Census information
- Past and current residents
- Area demographics
- Local crime statistics
- Map photos of the location
This is useful if you are house hunting and want to know more about the location or to check who may be living there.
5. Criminal Records
Criminal records make up part of a full person report. You can also search for current and past federal inmates, including when they were released or are due to be released.
6. Results
As with most reverse white pages and background checkers, there’s no data that isn’t already available through other channels. Bringing it all together in one place, however, saves you great time and effort.
The interface is simple enough and there are useful popups with questions to help refine your search. Do you know if these people are related? What is the person’s likely age?
What we don’t like is the salacious and over-the-top warnings of ‘graphic details’ – we can only assume it is a marketing ploy.
You could learn whether someone owns a gun, is a sex offender, and access their criminal record. But there is no accuracy guarantee and some results are only given a percentage of likelihood.
Nonetheless, our tests showed most errors are due to outdated licenses and addresses.
Pricing
Instant Checkmate pricing is competitive for full background checks, offering unlimited reports for $27.82 a month or $34.78 for three months in advance. There is no option to pay per report.
Verdict
Instant Checkmate stands out with the wide variety of data covered, not just its lookup phone number feature. Pricing is reasonable and data is as accurate as the underlying public records. While its search function is relatively straightforward, some of its warning messages and questions can be annoying.
The service does not adhere to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. You are not permitted to use it for checking the background of employees or rental tenants.
3. Intelius
Intelius is a long-running people search site that includes landline and cell phone reverse lookup. The visual results, including a detailed relationship map, gives it an edge over similar sites. There’s also no shortage of information thanks to a broad selection of FBI, phone, and business yellow pages.
• Protect your identity
• $1.99 trial membership
• Dedicated iOS and Android apps
Intelius has been providing background info and telephone reverse lookup services since 2003. The site is known for its good range of features, including a relationship grid. Its interface, however, can be misleading and gimmicky. Users have also reported subscription cancellation problems in the past, so tread carefully.
Features
1. Name Search
Name search requires the first and last name, and at least the state where you believe the person resides.
2. Phone Reverse Lookup
Simply enter a phone number to see if there is any available information about the person or business. This is a good place to start if you’re being bothered by telemarketers.
3. Address
Use an address as the starting point to learn about current and past tenants, local crime statistics, and more.
4. Available Data
The user interface is not difficult to use but the visual gimmicks are a bit over the top. For example, you’ll face several pop-ups and animated loading screens that always take the same time to finish. This suggests they’re not real nor necessary.
When you’ve completed a name or reverse phone search, you may have one or more people to explore. Clicking on a person will let you pull up a full report if you have a paid membership. This might include:
- Full name, address, and phone number
- Relatives and other relationships
- Previous addresses and phone numbers
- Criminal records and mugshots
- Sex offenses
- Speeding tickets
- Bankruptcies and other court documents
- Email addresses and social media profiles
5. Relationships
One noteworthy feature is an interactive grid that visually charts how a person is connected to others. This includes relatives, roommates, business partners, and other relationships.
6. Alerts
You can set up alerts for specific people or family members. For example, if you’re estranged from your son you can be alerted whenever their criminal record is updated.
7. Identity Protection
For an added fee you can keep tabs on your SSN, address, phone number, credit cards, and bank accounts. This helps you prevent identity theft.
As part of the package, you also get access to your credit report once a month.
Pricing
Intelius has two main pricing plans, both of which come with unlimited reverse phone number and people search. You can pay $24.86 a month or save a few dollars by paying $42.25 for two months upfront.
Occasionally you will also be served a popup for a 5-day ‘trial membership’ for $1.99. The catch is that if you do not cancel, the monthly fee is locked in at a higher price of $29.63.
Another popup promises access to a one-time report with no commitment. This is even more misleading – you are charged $29.95, more than the regular monthly fee that comes with unlimited searches.
Identity protection costs a separate $19.95 per month.
It should be noted that during our review we discovered many customers had trouble canceling their subscription in the past and have been billed for closed accounts. Some customers also say they’ve been overcharged or misled on pricing.
Verdict
Intelius has several unique features that differentiate it from other online databases. Negative reviews regarding pricing and billing have harmed its image, however. It would be better if the jargon and flashy animations were replaced by a more professional interface.
4. USsearch
USsearch has been around since 1998 and is a great starting point for finding estranged friends and family members by reverse telephone lookup. It has a helpful search wizard that guides you through the process and initial results are free. Full background records can be accessed with a competitively-priced subscription. Data available includes contact information and detailed property records.
• Well-designed site
• In-depth property history
• Organized reports
First launching in the late 90s, USsearch has positioned itself as a tool for finding long-lost friends and family members. Its actual capabilities are comparable to many of the best phone number lookup sites. It allows you to search for anyone based on name, phone number, address, and email address.
Features
1. Available Public Records
The site makes use of publicly available records but does a good job of pulling them all together in one place. Search results with limited details about what is held are displayed for free, but you must pay to access the bulk of data. Unlike other similar search services, they separate different sources of information so you have a better understanding of where the data is from. This includes:
- Nationwide Criminal Search
- Single-State Criminal Check
- Basic Background Check
- People Search Report
- Full Background Report
- OmniSearch
Before signing up for a plan, there is a checklist table showing you what each search type and report includes.
2. Search Process
The search process is beginner-friendly thanks to a wizard that asks you how you want to search and what you wish to find. Ultimately, it falls into the typical categories of name search, telephone reverse lookup, address lookup, and email address search.
Whatever method you use, results are fairly uniform. You’ll be presented with a list of possible matches, showing the full name, age, and quite an extensive location history. This is helpful if you know the person once lived in certain areas but not where they are now. You also get a long list of their likely relatives for free.
One downside is it can take several minutes to reach the results because of animated loading pages and agreement popups. Other sites can get things done much faster.
Pricing
USsearch pricing can be confusing because there isn’t an accessible price page. Instead, users must carry out a search, click through the results, and then see what plans are currently available. Customer reviews suggest plans frequently change and once signed up there can be extra charges for accessing different reports.
Nonetheless, in our testing, we were able to produce a single plan that forms the basis for a 2021 subscription.
Unlimited Reports: $19.86/mo.
If you leave the sign-up page open for several minutes there is also a popup offering a $1.99 trial, lasting 5 days. You are required to provide billing information, so be sure to cancel before the 5th day if you don’t wish to be charged.
Verdict
USsearch is an okay tool that produces comparable data to many other sites. The initial free results are quite generous in learning about likely relatives and previous locations. The latter is replicated in full reports, offering a lot of previous address information.
It’s not the best option out there, however. Searching is a bit too drawn out for our liking and there are no mobile apps to make things easier when you’re on the go. Accuracy was also hit and miss. One search for a name appeared to be a match initially. But once reaching the final step the first name suddenly switched to the middle name, and a new first name replaced it. This was no longer relevant to our search.
The way pricing is handled was also not very reassuring.
5. True People Search
Wish to carry out a reverse phone lookup free of charge? TruePeopleSearch should be on your radar. Instead of requiring a paid subscription, it lets you access premium sites – with ads served alongside. If you want to do a search on your mobile device, you can also download apps for iOS and Android.
• Name and phone number lookup free
• Simple user interface
• Functional iOS and Android apps
TruePeopleSearch is one of a growing number of free phone number lookup and background check sites. It serves ads instead of charging fees or subscriptions. You can search by name and location, as well as reverse number lookup and address lookup. Registration is not required, and the homepage claims searches are never logged.
Getting started is easy. Just type a name, number, or address into a box. Depending on which search method you choose, the range of available data includes:
- Name and phone number
- Address history
- Relatives and associates
- Email addresses
Features
1. Name Search
If someone’s name is your starting point you will need at least the state where you think they live to get results. If you can narrow down the city or zip code, you’ll stand a better chance of finding them.
2. Reverse Telephone Lookup
Enter a landline or cell phone number to find out where it is located or even the name of the registered owner. Piecing this info together puts you in good standing when reporting a scammer or harasser.
3. Reverse Address Lookup
If you want to know more about an address, such as who lives or has lived there, enter it into the search bar. You can then explore full reports for any of the names returned.
4. Mobile Apps
TruePeopleSearch has good mobile apps for Android and iOS that let you use all the search functions on your mobile devices. This too is free, but you’ll see lots of ads that redirect you to other paid apps and services.
Pricing
You can use TruePeopleSearch for free phone number search and other background checks directly from the homepage. You don’t have to register or provide any of your own personal details to get started. The site makes a profit by serving adverts alongside search results.
Support
TruePeopleSearch can be reached by email at [email protected] and by phone at 888-838-4803. If you wish to remove your personal data from the site, you should go through the steps on the opt-out page.
Verdict
As a free reverse lookup and people search site, TruePeopleSearch is a step below other sites we’ve reviewed. It doesn’t always hold the amount of information you want and it’s not always up to date. You can still find basic results, however, and it doesn’t hurt to try this free method first. We cannot fault its straightforward interface.
6. PeopleFinders
PeopleFinders stands out as one of the few that allow you to purchase single reports. There is no need to commit to a monthly subscription. The site is clean and professional, and you can access all its features via some excellent mobile apps.
• Informative free results
• $1.95 for individual reports
• Reverse email address lookup
PeopleFinders is one of the oldest and most trusted public records search engines in the United States. You can find full background reports by name and location, home address, and reverse phone number search. Unlike other sites, you don’t have to pay for a monthly subscription, you can purchase a single report for a much more affordable price. The site is accessible from your web browser or via some excellent mobile apps.
Features
1. Name Search
To search by name, you must also enter either a city or state, so you aren’t bombarded with results. Even so, you’ll probably get several possible matches. To help you find the right person, results are feature age, relatives, and known previous locations.
The website will show you these free of charge, so you know what data is available before committing to payment. Not all sites do this.
If you are registered, you can then click through to get a full report.
Overall, search results are returned quickly but the time it takes increases the more common someone’s name is.
2. Reverse Phone Numbers
A reverse search on a phone number cross-references it with numerous databases to find the owner. If there’s a name match, you can explore that person’s full report and find out exactly who’s been calling.
3. Address Search
Using an address as a starting point is a simple way to find past and current residents. PeopleFinders will return all records found with the likely dates those people lived there. This can help you narrow down your search.
4. Email
It’s not just nuisance phone calls that can ruin your day, spam or bullying emails are also a common problem. Email lookup aims to link a real name to the email address, so you know who may be targeting you. It’s not as effective as other search methods because it relies on the person publicly linking their name to the account.
5. Background Reports
A reverse number lookup can return a wealth of information. Not everything will be available for every person, but accessible records also include:
- Birth and death records
- Arrests, convictions, and warrants
- Sex offender registry
- Court records
- Bankruptcies, judgments, evictions, and property foreclosures
- Speeding tickets
- Relatives, roommates, and associates
- Properties and other assets
- Job history and education
- Business records
- Professional licenses and gun licenses
- Social media accounts
Pricing
PeopleFinders has a good set of user plans with competitive pricing. For those that aren’t doing regular searches, $1.95 per single report is a welcomed option. For those who intend to do lots of searches, the monthly subscription is $29.95 with an introductory month of $9.95.
The site only covers the United States. Therefore, only US residents are permitted to use the service. The privacy policy assures users that their own personal data is not captured when signing up.
Verdict
We found PeopleFinders to be well-priced, easy to use, and more professional than many similar websites. The ability to purchase single reports is ideal for the average person who isn’t likely to carry out lots of searches each month. The mobile apps also deserve praise, thanks to their intuitive design. Our only qualm is that you’ll regularly be asked if you want to receive browser notifications, which is unnecessary and annoying.
7. CocoFinder
CocoFinder is a free reverse number lookup and people searcher that redirects to other premium sites. To access initial results, you simply must enter your name and email address. It’s a great starting point if you want to see what you can find for free, before considering a paid service.
•Completely free
•Optimized for mobile
•Find social media profiles
CocoFinder provides free reverse phone number lookup and other useful search options. It is operated by the Chinese company Shenzhen Duiyun Technology Co, though it only finds results from the United States. Users can choose between four main search methods; people search, phone, address, and email lookup. While there are no apps, it is well optimized for mobile browsers.
Features
1. People Search
The people search feature is like most other sites and allows you to enter a first name and last name, along with a city and/or state. The system then accesses relevant public records to find potential matches.
Basic information is free, and you are told what data is available. However, full reports are handled by premium partner site TruthFinder.
2. Reverse Lookup: Phone
The reverse phone number tool takes a landline or cell phone number and attempts to match it with an individual or business.
We did not have any trouble using numbers we already knew, though a popup warning us about scandalous content was a little off-putting. We were not amused by the long, animated loading screens either.
3. Email Lookup
The email search was a little lackluster. Out of four email addresses, results were only found for one. This wasn’t very detailed either, returning only social media accounts.
4. Results
Depending on your search method, common information includes:
- Name and age
- City and state
- Phone numbers
- Family members, and criminal records.
Pricing
CocoFinder has free phone lookup and free basic results. The catch is that it will tease your results and then encourage you to accept browser notifications. Before you are redirected to a full report, you must also provide your name and email address. Nothing prevents the use of fake details, but it’s ironic that a service that lets you search for personal data is asking for your own.
It also has an affiliate relationship with several other background check sites, including Truthfinder, InstantCheckMate, Intelius, and PeopleFinders.
Detailed reports are locked behind partner sites.
Support
There is no contact form. You can email CocoFinder support at [email protected]. Removing your own personal information requires you to search for it and then scroll below the profile to an opt-out link.
Verdict
CocoFinder is not the most popular option, but it works okay and looks good on mobile phones. Its free number lookup and people search are quite informative. Being sent to other premium sites for full reports, however, is a bit annoying. We were also wary of the attempts to get our information.
If you’re uncomfortable trusting a Chinese site of this kind, there are better free options out there.
8. Spokeo
Founded in 2006, Spokeo is one of the most popular people search sites. You can do reverse cell phone lookup and landline search to identify unknown callers. If you have a name, you can find someone in any US city or state. Address search lets you know past and current residents and census information.
• Some free results
• Professional interface
• Purchase single phone reports
Spokeo is one of the larger and more successful people search websites, with over 18 million users. You can search by name, address, email, and reverse white pages. The interface is clean and professional and doesn’t fall into the trap of sensationalizing potential results. The company also has an Android mobile app for easier browsing on your devices.
Features
Simple tabs take you to each type of search. Once you’ve submitted your query, you’ll be served some generic loading screens that don’t mean much. The results page will appear within a minute, however, to give you the available info.
Whose number is this calling me?
The reverse white pages lookup (i.e. phone number lookup) can find a wealth of information using just a landline or cell phone number. This includes:
- Owner’s name
- Location and address
- Family members
- Address history
- Phone type and carrier
You can perform an initial reverse phone lookup for free to access preliminary information. This includes the city, state, and phone carrier. To get the full report, you then subscribe or pay a one-off phone report fee.
1. Full Person Search
The comprehensive person search function requires a name and then you can filter the results by state and city. Since you get unlimited searches and reports with a subscription, you’re free to work down the list until you find the right person.
Listings tell you the full name, age, location, and known relatives. You’ll also be told how many addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses are on file. You cannot access these without payment, though.
When you open a full report, you can find additional info, including:
- Financial data
- Criminal records
- Education
- Past addresses
- Social media profiles
2. Email Lookup
Searching by email aims to uncover the name and location of the owner, though the results are hit and miss. It’s most useful for finding the social media and web accounts opened under that email. A preliminary search will tell you how many social media profiles have been found, it requires payment.
3. Remove Your Data
One reassuring feature is the option to request your own information be removed from the site. Spokeo also promises not to use your sign-up information in its databases.
Pricing
Spokeo is affordably priced, offering monthly membership for $24.95 ($19.95 temporary deal price) or three months in advance at $59.85 ($44.85 temporary deal price).
You can also pay for individual reverse call lookup reports at prices between $0.95 and $1.95, depending on the current promotional offers. A phone report is not a full-person report, which can be confusing. Unfortunately, you cannot pay for personal ones individually.
All searches provide limited free information, but this is more of an overview to let you know what you get if you pay for one of the plans.
Verdict
Overall, Spokeo is a functional website that covers a broad range of information. You are not guaranteed results, however, and the data is not always up to date. To use the service smartly, you should pay close attention to the initial listings to learn what info is available.
9. ZabaSearch
ZabaSearch is a comprehensive background check site that allows you to do free reverse phone number checks and dig into all sorts of public records. It stands out because it can combine results with other web tools, such as social media profiles. Most of its results are served by partner site Intelius.
•Basic results free
•View location photos
•Fast people search
ZabaSearch is a partially free white pages and background checker that is powered by Intelius. Its search tool requires a name and location, or a 10-digit phone number for reverse caller ID.
Features
1. Suspicious Phone Number Lookup
Tracing the owner of any US-based phone number takes between one and two minutes and is redirected through the Intelius platform. During the ‘loading’ stage you will be prompted to allow notifications, but you can press block and still proceed. When the report is ready you have to enter a name and email address, so it’s wise to use throwaway details. Nonetheless, we have not received any marketing emails from ZabaSearch or Intelius.
After a bit of hoop-jumping, you’ll get some free information, including:
- the phone type
- carrier
- city
- state
- security rating out of 100%.
It’s not apparent exactly how this rating is calculated, but it gives you an idea about whether the number is being used for cold calls or spam.
A full phone report requires a one-time payment or a monthly subscription.
2. People Search
Searching for someone based on their name can yield much more information than a basic reverse phone lookup. It’s also faster to get started, returning basic results in seconds. Free data includes full names, ages, addresses, and partial phone numbers.
Clicking the full report will redirect you to Intelius, at which point you must pay for a subscription. Potential data includes:
- Criminal history
- Relatives
- Social media profiles
- Court records
- Business affairs
- Property records.
You can also discover whether a person is known to be on a government watchlist.
Full reports take several minutes to complete and require you to agree to terms during animated loading screens.
Pricing
Premium-priced plans are handled by Intelius. Using ZabaSearch as the entry point bypasses some of the promotional pop-ups, so you’ll be offered two main options.
$24.86 a month for unlimited access or you can save a few dollars by paying $42.25 for two months in advance. This is the cheapest standard monthly price we’ve found.
Support
The ZabaSearch site does not display any contact information. If you wish to remove your own personal details from the system, you are encouraged to visit the Intelius opt out page. Here you can enter your name, state, and email address for removal.
Verdict
ZabaSearch provides limited reverse number search results. It functions more as a referral to Intelius. If all you want is a basic idea of where a phone number is coming from or the address of a person you know, you can get away with the free results. You’ll have to subscribe to Intelius for more results, which has mixed to poor reviews when it comes to billing tactics.
10. SpyDialer
Launched by a private investigator, Spy Dialer allows you to do a reverse phone number lookup for free, as well as address, email, and people searches. Its standout tool is the voicemail checker. You can listen to a number’s outbound voicemail message without revealing your own identity.
• Supports VOIP and cell numbers
• Listen to voicemails anonymously
• Satellite location photos
Spy Dialer was founded by LA based private investigator Robert Scott. You can quickly find the name registered to a phone number, as well as the carrier and location. You can also do people and address searches, and find information linked to an email address. One unique way you can learn more about a number is to do a voicemail check. You can anonymously listen to any personalized voicemail message on the telephone line.
You don’t have to pay to use the site and you can view its results without registering an account or supplying an email address.
Features
1. Phone Number Search
Enter a US-based phone number and you have the option to search for the owner’s name, phone carrier, and location. This can be accompanied by a satellite photo of where the line is believed to be located.
We found the process to be fast and straightforward, but the information was not always up to date.
2. Voicemail Check
This is a feature we hadn’t come across before, but it can give some good insight into the origin of a phone number. The site automatically triggers the number’s voicemail on your behalf and lets you listen to it back. Of course, the information you learn depends on what is stated in the message. You can, however, find out a personal or business name or confirm whether the voice on the other end is someone you know.
3. Person Search
As well as reverse number lookup, you can search by name and state. A middle initial and city will help you refine your results.
Records are uncovered in seconds. You get a list of all the people that match that name, along with an age range, city, and when the record was last updated. Few other sites provide a date.
Clicking an individual result goes on to reveal possible family members. Unfortunately, you cannot get the full address or other background information via Spy Dialer. Even if you follow a link to their premium affiliate site ‘Beenverified’ the results don’t carry over.
4. Address Search
If you have an address, you can enter it into the search bar to reveal related information. For home addresses, results will list the names of current and past residents. For businesses, you’ll get business names and names of executives and employees.
Unfortunately, like the person search, clicking through does not provide a full report. Instead, you’ll be limited to a phone number, and potential family members and neighbors.
5. Email Search
Spam emails are the worst, especially when they bypass the spam filter. To confirm the sender, you can try the email search feature. Just enter the handle in the box and Spy Dialer will attempt to find a name.
We tested several email addresses and it was difficult to get results. Don’t put all your faith in this feature.
Pricing
Spy Dialer provides basic people search, address lookup, email, and reverse phone lookup for free. It serves ads on its web pages and promotes similar sites instead of charging for results. The downside – it does not offer detailed information.
Verdict
Spy Dialer provides limited information, but if you just need to confirm a name, who lives at an address, or the owner of a phone number, it’s a fast and easy solution. Visually, it may not be as appealing as other sites, but it scores points for avoiding over-the-top language and pop-ups. The voicemail player is a unique feature that makes the site stand out.
11. ZoSearch
ZoSearch utilizes over a decade’s worth of data to deliver personal records. Search queries include landline and cell number lookup, name search, and addresses. Results are returned almost instantly, with no flashy loading screens or popups. You can view names, aliases, locales, and telephone numbers right away.
• Informative free results
• Fast and straightforward system
• Browse the people directory
ZoSearch offers a familiar interface that allows you to scour public records by entering a name and location, phone number, address, or email. Results are returned in seconds and the age and phone numbers linked to a person are displayed for free. While it appears like there should be more detailed reports, the links to these do not currently function.
Features
1. People Search
Locating a friend or family member can be done in seconds if you have their name and general location. Common names will return several possible matches, which you can refine by checking the middle initial and age. You also get a list of associated phone numbers.
While there is also a list of partial email addresses for each match, the links to reveal these are broken. You can currently only access what is on the preliminary results page.
2. People Browser
One interesting feature is the open directory. You don’t need to search for a name because this lets you browse all records in alphabetical order.
3. Lookup Phone Number for Free
ZoSearch provides a search box to enter phone numbers. When we were testing it, it repeatedly returned us back to the homepage with no results displayed.
4. Broken Features
At the time of writing this review, the address lookup, email lookup, and white pages are all broken and do not provide results.
Pricing
All the search options on ZoSearch are free of charge and this is reflected in the limited data available. You are not required to share an email address or register an account to access search results.
Support
The ZoSearch customer care team can be emailed directly at [email protected]. There is also a page to opt-out from having your own information stored.
Verdict
ZoSearch is a quick and easy way to start your research. The free results include full names, telephone numbers, and the residing city. The alphabetical people directory is a feature more sites should use.
Unfortunately, the site does not always function as it should. Some search queries don’t load at all. If you want to access a person’s complete background, you will have to go elsewhere because this function seems to be broken.
12. Zlookup
Zlookup focuses all its attention on free telephone number lookup, where it aims to reveal the owner’s name, location, and phone carrier information. It can handle landlines, cell phones, and VOIP services like Google Voice. It also provides info on toll-free numbers. If a free phone number look-up is all you need, Zlookup is a good choice.
• Make free anonymous calls
• Lookup international numbers
• Supports VOIP and cell phones
Zlookup has a free scammer phone number lookup. Unlike other sites, there is no premium option and it does not provide people search or any kind of background check. What it lacks in the information it makes up for with the ability to call any number for free via the site.
Features
1. Phone Lookup: Free
From the homepage, enter a landline, cell, or voice-over IP number and it will trawl the public databases to find a match. The result is displayed almost instantly but what you get is very limited.
There are no addresses given, and we were only able to find a couple of names after testing several known numbers.
The only consistent information is the type of phone, who the provider is, and the city and state where the telephone call was made.
Because of this, we can only recommend Zlookup for a preliminary search.
2. International Numbers
Where Zlookup does stand out is its support of international numbers. Most sites restrict searches to the United States. Cell phones and some VOIP and digital providers like Google Voice are also catered to.
Note, the country code is selected from a dropdown menu, so make sure not to enter it twice.
3. Call Number
Another unique feature allows you to call virtually any number for free. For this to work you must have a microphone connected to your computer or laptop and enable browser permission when prompted. Alternatively, you can use your smartphone’s browser to make a call through the site.
This is a great tool if you ever find yourself with internet access but no cell phone coverage. Because the call comes from Zlookup’s own number, it also allows you to reach people anonymously.
Pricing
Zlookup offers reverse phone number searches and anonymous calling for free. In return, you will see adverts on the site and are encouraged to share their link on social media.
Support
You can contact the Zlookup support team via email at [email protected]. There is also a page where you can enter your own phone number to have it blocked from their database.
Verdict
Zlookup has a couple of standout features that set it apart from the competition, such as support for international numbers and the ability to make telephone calls. The fact that this is all free ups its appeal. In terms of the amount of information that can be tied to a phone number, however, it falls way short.
13. White Pages
The original online directory service, White Pages has grown to offer in-depth background checks on individuals and businesses. You can start your search with a name, phone number, address, or business name. Reports include everything from professional licenses to traffic records. It is one of the few sites to supply FCRA-compliant background reports for landlords and employers.
• Biggest database of records
• Good track history
• FCRA-compliant
White Pages set the standard for online phone directories and personal background checks. It was the first successful site of its kind, launching way back in the late 90s. Today it has all the expected search methods, including name, phone, address, and business. It takes things a step further by offering legally recognized tenant screening, employee background checks, and financial history. Basic information is available for free, while US users can pay for its premium plans.
Features
1. Reverse Phone Numbers
Enter a landline or cell number to reveal its address and any associated business details. I.e. Websites and social media accounts. Going premium unlocks carrier info, names, and other background details.
2. Tenant Screening
Tenant screening is for landlords to check the feasibility of rental applicants. Screening is FCRA certified, making White Pages one of the few sites to offer this easily online.
It performs a credit check to make sure the applicant is financially suitable. A criminal record check discloses past convictions and sex offender status. Eviction reports inform you whether the applicant has been evicted from other rental properties in the past.
3. Locate Someone
The people search feature requires a first and last name, followed by either a city, state or zip code. You can then use a filter slider to narrow down the age range.
Initial results give you the full name and aliases, a maximum of two phone numbers, and at least three relatives. You’re also told if there’s a full home address and background report.
Further info is locked behind the premium plans. You could unlock:
- Criminal records and traffic records
- Financial and business details
- Property and liens
- Phone carrier information
- Cell phone numbers
- Professional licenses
And more.
4. Reverse Address
Enter a full address to reveal a maximum of four current resident names and their age range. Further details and the full list of residents are for premium users.
5. Business Search
Useful for finding out more about a business, this search requires the business name and the city location. You’ll then get a list of matches that include the building address, phone numbers, website, and social media profiles.
6. Apps
The White Pages mobile apps are available for iOS and Android. They support reverse phone numbers and other searches. You can find them both on the official app stores. Alternatively, the website is well optimized for mobile browsers.
Pricing
Basic information is available from White Pages for free. There are four premium options that include more details:
- Unlimited Contact Lookups
$3.99/mo, for a current address, landline numbers, and relative & associates.
- Premium Contact Lookups
From $4.99/mo, with added cell phone numbers and past addresses.
- Single Background Reports
$9.99 per report, including criminal records and all other public records.
- Tenant Screening
Up to $35.99 per report or pass the cost on to rental applicants. Includes a credit, criminal record, and past eviction check.
Verdict
Overall, we consider White Pages to be the best reverse phone lookup site, though it excels in almost every type of search. There’s lots of free information and paid options that actually deliver as promised. You can access cell phone records, detailed personal information, and full-blown FCRA certified background checks.
The mobile apps, which are available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, are the icing on the cake.
What Is Reverse Phone Lookup?
We’ve all been pestered by phone calls from unknown numbers at some point in our lives. But what can you do about it? Blocking a number is not always feasible and some nuisance callers will simply switch to a different phone line anyway. This is where reverse call lookup comes into play.
If you’ve ever wondered how to lookup phone numbers, your first thought might be to type it into Google. This certainly can return some results, but the best option is to use a dedicated phone number reverse lookup service.
Such services provide detailed information, including the name of anyone registered to the phone number and its geographic location. A name and phone number together can then be used for broader background checks. They can reveal everything from a person’s employment history to their social media profiles.
In the past, the majority of business and house phone numbers were publicly available via 411 directory assistance or the telephone book. You simply called the operator, say the name and city, and they would share the number. In the late 90s the White Pages directory began collecting home and business numbers online – an extension of traditional business phone books like the Yellow Pages.
Historically, starting with the phone number to find other information was more difficult. Cross directories were kept private between law enforcement and investigators. As time went on, however, data was sold and records grew.
Today, advances in technology now allow anyone to do a reverse phone number lookup that queries many different databases, depending on the quality of the service. This can reveal names, addresses, etc. to help identify unknown callers.
What You Can Find From Reverse Phone Lookup?
Any phone number can quite easily be tied to the:
- Designated city and state for the area code
- Carrier or provider of the number
- Date it has been in use
Finding the precise address where the phone is located, and the name of the owner is a bit more complex. This usually relies on public records. In other words, the owner needs to have openly linked themselves to the phone number when giving census information, registering a business, etc.
A second source is the phone company itself or other companies that hold the names and numbers of its customers. Data that contains this info is routinely bought and sold between various parties and is a good reason to be more cautious when sharing up your own personal details.
Cell Phone Number Lookup
Since there is no central directory service for cell phones, such info is almost always collected through bulk buying and selling of data. It’s estimated that between 60% and 80% of aged cell phone numbers are now publicly available.
The best reverse phone lookup websites combine lots of different databases to help generate a full background report on the individual. You can find:
- Names and addresses
- Map locations and satellite images
- Family members and relatives
- Roommates and associates
- Employment and business history
- Education level
- Criminal records and sex offender status
- Parking tickets
- Court documents and judgments
- Arrests and mugshots
- Gun ownership and professional licenses
- Home market value
- Assets and financial data
- Credit history
- Past evictions
- Email addresses
- Social media and dating profiles
- And more
There are many reasons why you might reserve lookup a phone number that isn’t just about identifying suspicious callers. Maybe you want to check the status of an old friend or family member? There are many uses.
You do not have to disclose the reason why you’re doing a search and there are no regulations against individuals doing so. The only time it may be against the law is if you are an employer, landlord, or financial lender. In that scenario, you must only use the methods permitted by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Some sites like White Pages are regulated and can legally provide these services.
How To Choose the Best Reverse Phone Lookup Service for You?
The best phone number lookup site for you will depend on your budget and what you’re hoping to discover. The following factors are worth considering:
1. Free Sites
We’ve covered several free sites on this page, all of which provide enough basic info to start an investigation into an unknown phone number. The thing to recognize is that most of these services have limited data and will use other methods, such as ads or mandatory sign-ups to make a profit.
If you’re unsure about going premium, free sites are worth experimenting with. At the least, you might find a nugget of information that you can then take to a premium site to find more.
2. Premium Sites
The best premium sites offer far more than just phone number lookup. If you want to know where someone lives, their job, criminal records, etc. – you’re going to need a premium site.
You can expect to pay just a few dollars for a single phone report and a bit more for a single-person report. A monthly subscription falls between $24.86 and $29.95. You can often save money by paying for two or more months in advance.
The most cost-effective option will depend on how many searches you make. There’s no point in taking out a subscription if you’re just looking for one person or a single phone number.
3. Search Methods
Make sure your desired search method is available before making payment. While all the sites on our list can pull records based on a phone number, other results vary from site to site.
The type of data that can be found also differs. For example, not every site holds photos or gun license information.
4. Preliminary Results
There’s a distinction between what might be found and what is actually available. You should steer clear of sites that make a lot of generalized claims and grandiose promises. Unless you get to see preliminary results and you’re told exactly what information you can pay to unlock, be careful.
The web is full of horror stories where a phone lookup or name search has promised lots of info, only for the paid report to contain almost nothing.
5. Mobile Apps
Do you plan to do number lookups and background checks while away from a computer? Check to see if the site is well optimized for smartphones or they provide dedicated apps.
Wrap Up
No longer do you have to deal with unknown callers or wonder where that one relative might now be living. The power of the internet has unified lots of disparate public records and other sources of information, so you can assume the role of a PI with just a few clicks.
Whether you’re looking for the best reverse phone lookup free of charge or a premium service with advanced background checks, the 12 leading sites have something for everyone.
The best part? You can now avoid annoying marketing calls.
FAQs
1. Is there a free reverse phone lookup service?
Yes, there are several legit free phone lookup sites. Some of our favorites include TruePeopleSearch, Spy Dialer, and Zlookup.
Spy Dialer allows you to listen to voicemails, while Zlookup allows you to call most numbers around the world for free.
2. What is the most accurate reverse cell phone lookup?
Owners of cell phones are a bit trickier to track down than landlines or business numbers because there are fewer public directories.
White Pages has the most accurate results, including names and specific addresses. Records will cost you a one-off fee or monthly subscription. however.
Other sites are fairly accurate when it comes to the cell phone carrier and the city and state. You can even get this basic info for free.
3. Are there any legit reverse phone lookup sites?
Yes, there are many genuine websites that can look up phone numbers for you and return useful information. All the sites in our list perform a reasonable to an excellent job.
Of course, not all sites that promise to look up a phone number will do so. Some like White Pages stand out because they are consistent with a tonne of extra features.
4. How can I find out who a phone number belongs to for free?
To perform a free reverse phone lookup, you’ll need to choose one of the sites that do not require a paid subscription or other fees. These include TruePeopleSearch, CocoFinder, ZabaSearch, Spy Dialer, and Zlookup. Most paid sites also provide basic results for free and will allude to what additional information is held within a full report.
By Ritesh
With more than five years of experience in the background check industry, Ritesh Kumar founded LookupAPlate.com - a free tool to report bad drivers and look up license plates. Besides that, he has been in the SEO game for the last decade. So talk to him about Google algorithmic updates, and he can continue until the sheep come home. Here at techjury.net, he contributes mostly to the category - Background checks.