Caught a Scammer? Here’s How to Trace a Phone Number

A friend told me last week that she was working in her office when she received a phone call informing her that her internet (IP address) had been compromised. She was very busy, so she believed the caller without thinking and provided all the necessary details. Later that night, she discovered that she had lost $600.

According to Tech Report on Phone Scamming, In 2022, about 68.4 million US citizens reported losing money to phone scams, marking a 23% increase from the 59.4 million victims in 2021. 

A person usually pretends to be someone or something else to win another person’s trust. In cybersecurity, this is called ‘spoofing.’ Spoofing can apply to a range of communication channels and can involve varying levels of technical complexity.

Scamming calls have become so common that a report reveals that Americans collectively fend off over 3 billion spam calls per month. Those scam calls are a pain, but there’s a way to fight back before you answer. You can track the number. That’s right, find out who’s calling and avoid the whole scam mess.

This blog will show you exactly how to trace the phone number of that scammer you just dealt with. We’ll equip you with the knowledge to track them down (virtually, of course) and help you avoid falling victim to similar scams in the future.

How to Trace a Phone Number?

T-Mobile experienced a data breach in November 2022, leading to the leak of over 37 million phone numbers and other Personally Identifiable Information (PII). This shows how easy it is to get someone’s phone number. 

There isn’t a foolproof way to catch a scammer every time, but we can share some helpful techniques to make a difference. These methods are straightforward, don’t require any special hacking skills, and are accessible to everyone. Using these tips, you can gather valuable information and increase your chances of identifying a scammer.

Google Search:

Google Search is a powerful tool that allows users to find information on the Internet by typing in keywords, phrases, or specific data like phone numbers. When trying to catch a scammer, Google Search can gather valuable information about the phone number they used, which might lead to uncovering their identity or location.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Google Search 

• Open your web browser and go to Google.
• Enter the phone number into the search bar in various formats like (123) 456-7890, 123-456-7890, 1234567890.
• Press “Enter” to start the search.
• Review the search results for useful information. Look for Business listings, Social media profiles, Forums or community posts, Scam report websites, and any other relevant context.
• Click on any relevant links in the search results to gather more details. Take note of any names, addresses, or other identifying information associated with the phone number.
• If the phone number is associated with a business, check for reviews, business hours, and contact details.
• Use reverse image search if you find any photos linked to the phone number or associated profiles. This can sometimes reveal more about the individual or business.
• If the name “John Doe” is associated with the number, perform a Google search for “John Doe 123-456-7890” to find more context.

Professional Tips

• Maintain a record of all searches and findings.
• Do not engage with the scammer directly.
• Cross-reference information from various sources for accuracy.

Social Media:

One effective method of gathering information about a scammer is to leverage social media and online profiles. Scammers often leave digital footprints that can be traced back to their real identities. 

By conducting a thorough search on various social media platforms, you can sometimes find personal details, business information, and other clues that may help identify the scammer.

Step-by-Step Guide for Social Media Search

Facebook Search:

• Open Facebook and log into your account.
• In the search bar at the top of the page, enter the scammer’s phone number in various formats (e.g., 123-456-7890, (123) 456-7890, 1234567890).
• Review the search results to see if any profiles, pages, or posts are associated with the phone number.
• If you find a profile, check the information available such as the name, photos, friends, and other public details.
• Note down any useful information and take screenshots for your records.

2. LinkedIn Search:

•  Open LinkedIn and log into your account.
• In the search bar at the top, enter the phone number.
• Review the search results to see if any profiles are linked to the phone number.
• If a profile is found, examine the person’s employment history, education, connections, and any other publicly available details.
• Note down relevant information and take screenshots.

3. Twitter Search:

• Open Twitter and log into your account.
• In the search bar at the top, enter the phone number.
• Check the search results for any tweets, profiles, or mentions associated with the phone number.
• If you find relevant tweets or profiles, review the information for any personal details or patterns of behavior.
• Document any significant findings and take screenshots.

4. Instagram Search:

• Open Instagram and log into your account.
•  In the search bar, enter the phone number.
• Look through the search results for any profiles or posts associated with the phone number.
• If you find a profile, review the public information, photos, and followers.
•  Note down any useful details and take screenshots.

Professional Tips:

• When searching, try different variations of the phone number format, as other platforms may index numbers differently.
• Be aware that some profiles might have strict privacy settings, limiting the information you can access.
• Cross-check information obtained from different platforms to verify its accuracy.

Websites:

1 in 3 Americans report falling victim to phone scams, with 20% more than once. Total losses to phone scams totaled $39.5 billion in 2023. Identifying who’s really calling can be hard and slow using old-fashioned methods. 

But nowadays, the internet has a better way to help you out. Some trustworthy websites specialize in something called “reverse phone number lookup.” This means you can find out more about callers you don’t recognize. 

These websites have big databases with lots of info. They can tell you if a call might be a scam or if it’s from a real person or business. Using them is usually easy. Just type the unknown number into the website, and you’ll get a detailed report in no time. 

This report might have details like where the caller is from if they’re linked to a business, and what others say about calls from that number, like if they think it’s a scam or just a telemarketer.

1.TruthScouts

TruthScouts offers detailed background checks that include phone number searches. It helps users uncover information associated with a phone number, such as the owner’s name, address, and other relevant details. This service can be particularly useful for identifying unknown callers or verifying suspicions about potential scammers.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Visit TruthScouts.
2. Choose the option to search by phone number.
3. Input the number you want to investigate.
4. Examine the detailed report with information about the phone number.

2. Whitepages

Whitepages allows users to look up phone numbers to find associated information such as the name, address, and background details. It has both free and paid versions, with the paid version offering more detailed reports.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Visit Whitepages.
2. Enter the phone number in the search bar and click the search icon.
3. Review the results for the name, address, and other background details.
4. If more detailed information is needed, consider purchasing a report.

3. Truecaller

Truecaller is a global phone directory that provides information about phone numbers and also offers call-blocking features. Users can search phone numbers for registered names and user-reported spam ratings.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Visit Truecaller.
2. Sign up for an account if required.
3. Enter the phone number in the search bar.
4. Review the registered name and any spam ratings reported by other users.

4. Spokeo

Spokeo aggregates data from online and offline sources to provide comprehensive reports on phone numbers, including names, addresses, social media profiles, and more. It offers both free and premium services.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Visit Spokeo.
2. Enter the phone number in the search bar and click “Search”.
3. Review the summary of the information provided.
4. For more comprehensive details, consider purchasing a premium report.

5. AnyWho

AnyWho is a free online people search directory that allows you to perform reverse phone lookups to find information about the owner of a phone number.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Visit AnyWho.
2. Enter the phone number in the search bar.
3. Click on “Find”.
4. Review the information provided about the phone number’s owner.

6.800Notes

800Notes is a community-driven site where users report scam and unknown numbers. It can provide insights and comments from other users about a particular phone number.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Visit 800Notes.
2. Enter the phone number in the search bar.
3. Read the comments and reports from other users about the phone number.
4. Use the gathered information to understand the nature of the calls associated with the number.

7. WhoCallsMe

Similar to 800Notes, WhoCallsMe is a forum where users can report and discuss suspicious phone numbers. It’s useful for identifying common scams and getting community feedback.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Visit WhoCallsMe.
2. Enter the phone number in the search bar.
3. Read the user reports and discussions about the phone number.
4. Gather insights on the nature and frequency of the scam calls.

Mobile Applications:

If you’re tired of constantly getting annoying spam calls, mobile applications can be a lifesaver. These apps are designed to tackle the issue head-on. By simply entering the suspicious phone number into the app, you can quickly uncover if it’s a scammer trying to reach you.

Hiya’s State of the Call 2022 report weighed in on the costs of scam calls per victim. In 2021, scam phone calls cost their victims an average of $567.41, a huge increase from the previous year’s losses ($182 on average).

These applications work in real-time, giving you immediate feedback on whether the number is associated with known scams or fraudulent activity. 

1. Truecaller

Truecaller identifies unknown callers, blocks spam calls, and allows users to search for phone numbers. It has a vast database of phone numbers and user-reported spam numbers.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Download and install Truecaller from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
2. Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your account.
3. Allow the app to access your contacts and call logs for better functionality.
4. When you receive a call, Truecaller will display the caller ID and any user-reported information about the number.
5. To block a number, tap on the caller ID and select “Block.”
6. Use the search function to look up unknown numbers and see if they have been reported as spam.

2. Hiya

Hiya provides caller ID, call blocking, and reverse phone lookup services. It helps identify unknown calls and blocks spam and fraud calls.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Download and install Hiya from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
2. Open the app and complete the setup process.
3. Grant the app permission to access your phone’s contacts and call logs.
4. Hiya will identify incoming calls and display caller information.
5. To block a caller, tap on the call log entry and choose “Block.”
6. Use the reverse lookup feature to find details about unknown numbers.

3. TrapCall

TrapCall unblocks blocked numbers, reveals caller ID, and offers spam call-blocking features. It’s particularly useful for identifying unknown or blocked callers.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Download and install TrapCall from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
2. Open the app and sign up for an account.
3. Follow the instructions to enable TrapCall, which may involve configuring your voicemail settings.
4. When you receive a call from a blocked number, reject the call. TrapCall will unmask the caller’s identity and notify you.
5. Use TrapCall’s blocking features to prevent future spam calls.

4. Mr. Number:

Mr. Number blocks spam calls, provides caller ID features, and allows for reverse phone lookups to identify unknown callers.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Download and install Mr. Number from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
2. Open the app and follow the setup instructions.
3. Allow the necessary permissions for full functionality.
4. Mr. Number will display caller information for incoming calls.
5. To block a number, tap on the caller ID and select “Block.”
6. Use the reverse lookup feature to get more information about unknown callers.

5. CallApp

CallApp provides caller ID, call blocking, and phone number lookup services. It can identify unknown numbers and block spam calls.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Download and install CallApp from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and complete the setup process.
3. Grant permissions for the app to access your contacts and call logs.
4. CallApp will display caller ID information for incoming calls.
5. To block a caller, tap on the call log entry and select “Block.”
6. Use the search function to look up unknown numbers and check if they have been reported as spam.

Comparison Table:

Feature / App	Truecaller	Hiya	TrapCall	Mr. Number	CallApp
Caller ID	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Call Blocking	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Reverse Lookup	Yes	Yes	Yes (for unblocked numbers)	Yes	Yes
Spam Detection	Yes (user-reported spam calls)	Yes (spam and fraud detection)	Yes (blocks spam and fraud calls)	Yes (user-reported spam calls)	Yes (spam and fraud detection)
Unblock Numbers	No	No	Yes (unblocks and reveals caller ID of blocked numbers)	No	No
User Database	Extensive global database	Extensive global database	Utilizes its own database and user reports	Extensive global database	Extensive global database
Platforms	Android, iOS	Android, iOS	Android, iOS	Android, iOS	Android
Additional Features	Contact management, SMS blocking, call recording (premium), ad-free (premium)	Integrated with Samsung Smart Call, ad-free	Call recording (premium), automated spam blocking	Spam reports, contact management	Caller ID & call recording (premium), social media integration
Setup Requirements	Basic setup, permission to access contacts and call logs	Basic setup, permission to access contacts and call logs	Account setup, possible voicemail configuration	Basic setup, permission to access contacts and call logs	Basic setup, permission to access contacts and call logs
Premium Features	Ad-free experience, call recording, advanced spam blocking, contact requests	Ad-free experience, premium caller ID	Advanced spam blocking, call recording, customer support	Ad-free experience, advanced call blocking	Ad-free experience, call recording, advanced caller ID

What to Do Next?

In America, Unwanted calls, including illegal and spoofed robocalls, continue to be the top consumer complaint that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) receives.

So, let’s say you’ve figured out that a call is a scam. What’s the next move? That’s the question on everyone’s mind. Well, here are some important steps you should take after identifying a scam call:

• To block the number, use the blocking feature of the app you are using (Truecaller, Hiya, TrapCall, Mr. Number, CallApp).
• You can manually block the number through your phone’s settings if needed.
• Please report the number through the app you are using. This will help improve the app’s database and protect other users.
• Report the scam call to the relevant authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for fraud cases in the USA.
• Verify that your personal information has not been compromised in other scams or breaches.

Final Words:

Successfully identifying and catching a scammer can be a significant victory in safeguarding yourself against potential fraud or harm. Once you’ve pinpointed a scam call or suspicious activity, knowing how to trace a phone number can provide you with essential information to take appropriate action.

 By utilizing tools like reverse phone number lookup services or reporting the incident to relevant authorities such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), you can contribute to combating fraudulent activities and potentially prevent others from falling victim to similar scams.