How to Trace a Phone Number Like a Pro (Legally and Safely!)

Surely, you’ve received a call from an unknown number and wondered who it was. Tracing a phone number can be incredibly useful. You might find out if it’s a potential scam, an old friend trying to reconnect, or a business contact. Nowadays, tracing an unknown call is possible with a reverse phone number lookup service.

Besides figuring out who’s calling you, you can find out a caller’s email address. If a business representative or employer reaches out to you, you can find out their email address using ClarityCheck reverse email lookup.

The matter of tracing a call might raise suspicion. It might sound like something illegal and unsafe. Let’s find out how you can do it like a pro without breaking any laws.

Why Trace a Phone Number?

There are several reasons why you might want to trace phone numbers, such as:

• Identifying spam or scam callers. Nowadays, unwanted robocalls and scam attempts are on the rise. That’s why tracing a number can save you from losing money, your identity, or personal data;
• Reconnecting with old contacts. If you delete your old friends’ contacts from your phone, you might never know they want to reach out to you if you never pick up unknown calls;
• Verifying business contacts. When you’re trying to land a job and get lots of business phone calls from HR, it might be useful to check the legitimacy of their phone number. With impersonation fraud on the rise, it can help you avoid scams;
• Ensuring personal safety. Unknown callers may sometimes be pretty threatening. If you’re receiving harassing calls, it’ll help you to take legal action.

How to Trace a Phone Number For Free – Legally and Safely

Tracing a phone number can feel like searching a haystack for a needle. But you can find someone behind those mysterious digits with the correct tools and understanding.

1. Use a Reverse Phone Lookup Service

The easiest and most common way is to take advantage of a robust reverse phone lookup service. Such platforms allow users to enter phone numbers and retrieve publicly available information about the caller. Here’s the information you can find out:

• Full name;
• Home address;
• Potential family members;
• Social media accounts;
• Email addresses;
• Web activity;
• Location history.

You don’t need to hack anything, as this information is taken from public sources. That’s why when using such a tool, you don’t need to be afraid of the police knocking at your door.

2. Search the Number on Google

Sometimes, all you might need to do is do an online search. Google and other search engines can provide valuable insights. You just need to type the number and see what comes up.

• If this is a business phone number, it might appear in Google My Business listings;
• A number might have already been reported as spam or a scam. That’s why you might find complaints on different forums;
• If the number is associated with a website, Google may show links to it.

3. Check Social Media Platforms

Many people, when they create their social media profiles, add their contact info. However, there are lots of people who value their privacy. Besides, they may not leave their phone numbers just to stay safe from scams. However, you can try searching for numbers on the following platforms:

• Facebook. You can take advantage of the search bar. All you need to do is enter the number and find out who has been calling you;
• LinkedIn. More often than not, people use this platform to identify business contacts;
• Instagram and X. If a person has publicly shared their phone number, it may show up in posts or bios.

4. Use Caller ID and Spam Protection Apps

Instead of searching for the owner of a number after the call, you might figure it out while they’re calling. There are many different tools that can provide valuable insights. As the number of such tools is big, you might need to do thorough research.

Generally, they can provide you with the following features:

1. Provide caller identification and spam protection;
2. Block robocalls and telemarketers;
3. Identify and block suspicious calls.

Depending on the type of calls you get more often, you’ll know what to look for in an app. Then, you’ll have to choose the best option based on pricing and features.

5. Contact the Phone Carrier

It might not be the best option if you just want to figure out who’s calling you. Phone carriers just can’t disclose information about other users. However, if you’re receiving harassing or threatening calls, you can report the number to your phone carrier. Many of them have tools to block and report unwanted calls.

All you need to do is call your provider’s customer support and explain your situation. They’ll help you out or direct you to law enforcement if needed.

Final Thoughts

Today’s technology allows us to trace phone numbers legally and safely. Depending on the type of unwanted or unknown calls you get more often, you can choose the most suitable option about how to trace a phone number.

You can take advantage of a reverse phone number lookup service, search numbers on Google, check social media, use caller ID apps, or consult your phone provider.