A cell phone call log is a document that contains records of incoming and outgoing calls that are managed by a cell phone network service provider. Getting call records for your own cell phone is quite easy. However, this may be more difficult to do if you are trying to get a record of someone else's call, such as a family member or spouse you suspect is unfaithful. This article will explain what to do if you are in a position that requires call records.
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Method 1 of 2: Accessing Your Own Cell Phone Call Records
Step 1. Check your bill
If you receive a monthly bill, it's likely that the call and text message records of the past month will also be included.
- If you're not in a hurry to use your phone call logs, but feel like you might need them someday, then keep them in a safe place.
- The records provided should contain certain basic information, such as the date, time the call was made, the duration of the call, and (in some cases) special features that were activated in the middle of a call (eg making a recording in the middle of a call).
Step 2. View call logs online
Most cell phone network service providers provide a feature to access the same call log information as the information you get on a physical bill, but you'll need an online account to view these records online.
- Sign up for an account on the mobile network service provider's website if you haven't already. You may be required to have a unique username (some cell phone network service providers allow you to use a phone number or email address) and a password. The process for registering an account may be faster if you already have complete account information.
- Once you're logged in, look for an option labeled "Call Details" or "Call Records". If such an option is not available in the screen that opens, you may have to look for the section with the title "Usage". However, be aware that some cell phone network service providers will only provide outgoing call information. If you need complete logs--including incoming calls that are already free of charge in most plans--then usage logs alone may not be enough.
Step 3. Contact your mobile network service provider
If you have lost records of sent calls or are unable to find records online, the best last resort for you is to contact your cell phone network service provider. Network service providers are required to keep call records for every cell phone that uses their services by law, and they should be able to provide call log information to all users who can prove to be the primary account holder.
- Provide personal information that a customer service representative can use to identify your account, including your account number, mobile number, residential address, and possibly the last four digits of your social security number.
- Since your cell phone network service provider should have provided you with this information on a monthly basis, you may have to pay an additional fee to get this information again.
Step 4. Set up a "trap"
If you're trying to identify the person who's been making robocalls (automatic calls made by the program) or calls from stalkers, but the caller's number shows up as "unknown", it's because they've blocked your call identity. In this case, contact the cell phone network service provider company and ask them to set a "trap" in your cell phone. This way, you can identify all the numbers that call you and unblock your call identity. The caller's number will no longer appear as "unknown" and the person making the call can be identified.
Method 2 of 2: Accessing Other People's Call Records
Step 1. Understand the legal limits
You can't easily get to someone else's records--even your spouse's--if that person's account isn't linked to your name at all. If you obtain summons records without the account owner's consent, the records you obtain are invalid to be used as evidence in court.
Step 2. Check the call records in the bill you get
If someone has made an annoying call or you suspect that someone you share your calling plan with has made an inappropriate call, you should have a record of that call on your phone bill.
Often times, the notes you get will be divided by the phone that made or received the call. In notes that are not neatly organized, all the notes will be mixed together, but the list of incoming and outgoing calls is kept separate
Step 3. Check call records online
Again, the cell phone network service company should have a complete record of all incoming and outgoing calls made or received by anyone with whom you share your calling plan. Whether you're trying to identify a stalker or monitoring your children and spouse, network service providers have call logs that may be able to help you.
- First of all, you may need to create an online account to access the records on the mobile network service provider's website.
- Once logged in, look for an option that has a label like "Call Details" or "Call Records".
Step 4. Contact the mobile network service provider
Ask for a new copy of the call log if you can't find it any other way. Companies are required to keep call records, and should be able to make those records available to anyone who can prove to be the primary holder of a mobile phone account.
Provide personal information that a customer service representative can use to identify your account, including your account number, mobile number, residential address, and possibly the last four digits of your social security number
Step 5. Get records via subpoena (summons to court)
Call records belonging to a spouse who are no longer close can be obtained if you are in the middle of a court case by subpoenaing them. This is a legal way to obtain cell phone call records that your attorney can use in court cases.
- You can only request cell phone call records through subpoenas that relate to court cases--such as prosecution or divorce cases. The subpoena usually has to be approved by the judge, but this varies depending on the type of case being processed.
- Instead of getting subpoena, you can buy cell phone call records from a paid data broker to get call records. Data brokers usually run businesses whose legitimacy is questionable (depending on the method used to obtain records), and generally the records they obtain cannot be used as evidence in court.
