Finding out the owner of a cell phone number is difficult because the number is not registered in public databases. If you receive an annoying phone call, you can report it to the police. Or, you can try several checking options although neither method is guaranteed to work.
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Method 1 of 5: Finding Mobile Numbers for Free
Step 1. Call the number that goes to your phone
Tell whoever answers that you received a call from that number. Ask his identity politely. If he tells, you can be satisfied. If not, try one of the following methods.
Ask your friend or borrow his phone to call the number. If you have called repeatedly and it is not answered, it means that the owner of the number has chosen not to answer your calls. Calling from a friend's cell phone or pay phone can help
Step 2. Look it up in the public database
If it turns out that the number you're looking for isn't private, it's likely listed in public information. Look in the yellow pages or use an internet search engine to find alternative public information.
Step 3. Use a search engine
The owner of the cell phone or the institution concerned may have posted the number on a personal or company website.
- Include the area code of the phone number you are looking for. Try several formats, such as XXX-XXX-XXXX and (XXX)XXXXXXX.
- If the first search doesn't work, look it up in some other search engine.
Step 4. Search on social media sites
Enter the phone number in the search bar of the social media site. Many Facebook users still show "private" numbers in public searches.
If you suspect that the number belongs to someone you've contacted via the internet, look it up on a site where you chat or exchange information, such as a web forum
Step 5. Use a deep web search engine
These engines are also called "invisible web" search engines designed to find results that many ordinary search engines miss.
Deep web engines are very specific, so you should look for an engine that fits your needs. Try searching (on a regular search engine) an index or guide on deep web search engines
Method 2 of 5: Identifying a Phone Number with Paid Services
Step 1. Start with a free cell phone number lookup service
If you have tried the free method, you may have seen the advertisement for this service. Start only with services that are free. While it may not work, it is an easy first step.
Do not sign up for a free trial of anything that asks for a credit card number or other personal information
Step 2. Study all the services carefully
Many "mobile number lookup database" sites that charge fees will try to deceive or provide unhelpful information.
- Enter a fake or well-known phone number to test for accuracy. Enter some random number (in correct phone number format). If your search returns a lot of "results," especially GPS locations, it's likely that the site is a hoax or prank. You can also enter your own phone number and see if the results are accurate.
- Look for reviews about the service provider company. If you search the internet for the name of the company, you may find complaints from customers who have been duped. For services based in America or Canada, you can access the official report on the Council of Better Business Bureaus directory for a detailed record of customer responses to these companies. To find out whether similar services in Indonesia are officially registered, check with the Directorate General of General Legal Administration.
Step 3. Pay for the services offered only after you are sure the free options are not helping
Paid services typically use the same search methods as you would for free, so money won't bring in new results and it's possible that your information is stolen or your credit card is overcharged.
Step 4. Use the services of a private detective
Even if you've tried all of the options above, you may still not find the information you need. Hiring a private investigator is an expensive option, and you should research carefully before choosing. Make sure you get estimates and detailed information before making a deal to hire a private investigator. Refunds are usually available if the detective fails to find the required information, but make sure of that first.
Method 3 of 5: Finding Unknown or Blocked Numbers
Step 1. Check call records or caller ID
All phones will automatically recognize most incoming phone calls. For landlines, call Telkom 147 to activate the caller ID facility.
- Refer to the user manual or contact the phone manufacturer if you don't know how to check the recent call log on your phone.
- There are several ways to prevent caller ID from being detected or even tricks to make caller ID display another number. If caller ID doesn't work, continue to the next option.
Step 2. Request a "call back" service
Contact the mobile operator and request a "callback" service if available. Your credit may be deducted at the beginning or each time you use this service.
Step 3. Activate the "call trap" or "call trace" feature
If you frequently receive annoying calls from unknown numbers, contact your mobile operator and ask if the following services are available:
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Call trap: After requesting the call trap feature, write down the date and time you received the annoying phone calls over the next few weeks (or for as long as the mobile operator requested). After you provide this information, the cellular service company will identify the number you are looking for and report it to the police.
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Call tracking: Once the service is active, pressing the call tracking code followed by the intruder's phone number will immediately send the phone number to the police. If this service is available, the mobile operator will tell you which code to use.
Trace Cell Phone Numbers Step 12Bullet2 - Another easier way to trap unknown callers is to activate the mail box. If you do not answer the incoming call or divert it to another number, you will receive an SMS from the operator saying that the number XXX-XXX-XXXX has attempted to call you on a specific date and time.
Method 4 of 5: Avoiding Scams
Step 1. Study the paid services carefully
Many "mobile number lookup" websites are known for defrauding customers, either by not providing useful information or by deliberately stealing customer credit card information.
Step 2. Search the internet for reviews and complaints about similar service companies
As mentioned above, look for information in the Council of Better Business Bureaus directory for companies based in the United States or Canada, and try searching the Directorate General of General Legal Administration for companies registered in Indonesia.
Step 3. Never provide payment information to untrusted sites
Do not enter a credit card number if your browser warns you that the website is unsafe, if the site asks you to pay through a third party you haven't heard of, or if the site looks "cryptic" and unprofessional.
- This includes a "free trial" which claims your card won't be charged.
- Look for a service that requires payment using PayPal or another reputable third-party system.
Step 4. Do not enter unnecessary personal information
KTP numbers or other personal information are not required by a valid phone lookup service.
Method 5 of 5: Track Phone Location
Step 1. Track where your family is
Any smartphone or regular cell phone that has a GPS chip can be tracked. Here are some options for tracking your family's location:
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Contact your mobile carrier to ask if there is a family tracking feature for an additional monthly fee. This feature is also equipped with parental control capabilities.
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Install a GPS tracking app on your family member's smartphone. Some apps allow users to voluntarily share their location with friends, while others are aimed at parents who want to track their children. Browse the app store or do some research on the internet to find an app that fits your needs.
Trace Cell Phone Numbers Step 17Bullet2 - Install AccuTracking on a regular phone. AccuTracking is one of the many third-party location trackers that work on ordinary cell phones and is available worldwide. Take a look at the website to see which phone models can use this app.
- If you want to track someone's location secretly, install app hider on their phone to hide the app. Alternatively, you can install the tracker app in a general folder on the phone so that the chances of it being found are slim.
Step 2. Install the app to track your own phone
Just in case your phone is lost or stolen, there are many apps designed to let you track your phone's GPS location from your computer and/or prevent thieves from using it.
- Look for a tracking or anti-theft app that works on your phone in the app store or the internet
- AccuTracking is one of the few services that can track a regular (GPS-enabled) cell phone.
Step 3. Look for the lost phone
If your phone has been lost and you haven't installed a tracking app, you still have a chance to find it:
- Smartphone manufacturers can now find their owners' phones automatically. Contact customer service or search the internet for instructions. If you use a computer, you can track your location and/or set your phone to make loud noises at regular intervals.
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Some tracking applications (such as "Plan B" on Android) can be downloaded remotely to your phone via a computer. Make sure to do this before your phone battery runs out.
Trace Cell Phone Numbers Step 19Bullet2 - Cellular carriers may offer a paid GPS location feature, which remotely activates the phone's GPS chip. This may be the only option for looking for a regular cell phone.
