In this generation, people don’t really like to answer phone calls. One of the reasons is that it’s much more convenient to reply to a text message.
But when it comes to unknown phone numbers, the reason is different. What if it’s a spam caller? It could also be a telemarketer. It may even be a pranker who’s recording the call to put it online. According to recent statistics, eight in ten Americans don’t generally answer phone calls from unknown numbers, which makes sense.
In general, you never know who could be calling, and even though answering a call is the most effective way to find out who stands behind it, there are many other ways to do this. We’ll talk about them in this blog post.
5 Effective Ways to Find Out Who Stands Behind the Unknown Phone Number
1. Use Nuwber, a reliable phone number lookup service
Nuwber is a reverse phone lookup service with 325 million phone numbers in its database. So, when you spot an unknown number calling you, simply copy the number and enter it on Nuwber.
After clicking Search, you’ll be moved to the page where you’ll find the caller’s full name, address, phone number history, and other useful data. You’ll also learn where this person works, how old they are, and if they’ve been involved in any criminal charges.
Searches on Nuwber are completely anonymous, so no one will ever know that you’ve looked them up.
2. Turn to Google, the good old search engine
Another way to know who’s behind the phone call is to search the number on Google. This idea has probably crossed your mind before, and now it’s time to try it. All you need to do is enter the number into the search bar and click Search.
If the number has been published in open sources, such as websites, forums, databases, or social media platforms, and these pages have been indexed by Google, then you’ll be able to find the owner in no time. Google crawls billions of pages each day, making it an efficient resource for data search.
Plus, if you’re contacted by a scammer or spammer, you’ll most likely spot the number on forums, where users will warn others about the intentions of the caller.
3. Save the Number in Your Contacts and Sync It With Social Media Platforms
This effective method allows one to find the caller’s social media pages if they’re registered on any social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, LinkedIn, Telegram, etc. Wait for the number to stop calling and save it in your contacts. Then, go to the settings on any social media website and find the option that allows you to sync the contacts from your address book.
If you want to remain anonymous, then be careful if you’re searching for the person on TikTok. The platform allows account owners to see the list of users who’ve viewed their profiles, which might give you away.
4. Make Use of Call Return Services
Call return or automatic recall is a feature that makes it possible to track down the last caller simply by dialing a *69 code. However, note that this feature might only work for you if you don’t want to remain anonymous. This service calls back the number that dialed your phone, giving you the chance to find out who called. It’s especially useful if the number is blocked.
Call return services are available for both mobile and landline numbers and are quite useful if anonymity isn’t what you’re striving for.
Be aware that some phone carriers charge a fee for using call return services, so it’s better to check with your provider for any potential costs.
5. Install a Call-Blocking App
Some apps like Hiya, RoboKiller, and Should I Answer? can automatically screen calls and give information about incoming numbers based on user reports. How does it all work? Whenever a user receives a spam or scam call, they report it to let other users know that this number is suspicious.
Call-blocking apps, in turn, gather information about this phone number in one place and let people know if the number has been involved in fraudulent activities.
Users can then themselves device if it’s worth interacting with the number. If it’s been flagged by even a few users, it’s definitely better to block it.
Report the Scam to the Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency whose mission is to protect consumers from deceptive practices. Scam and spam calls fall under this category, so if you’ve become a victim of any, you can report the case to the FTC. The agency can investigate the case and even prosecute scammers depending on the severity of the scam.
So, how to report a scam to the Federal Trade Commission?
- Go to their website.
- Click “Report Now” and fill out the form. Among the scams you can complain about are annoying calls, sweepstakes, lotteries, online shopping, and more.
- Describe what happened. Include as many details as possible, but make sure not to reveal any sensitive information, such as Social Security number, medical history, account numbers, and so on.
When the severity of the scam is high, you can’t do anything about it yourself. Even a simple annoying phone call requires immediate attention to let the caller know that it’s not okay to waste people’s time.
Let’s Sum Up
When someone’s calling you from an unknown number and you don’t want to pick up (reasonable enough), you can try some other effective methods. Using Nuwber, searching on Google, syncing the number with social media platforms, and leveraging call return services and call-blocking apps are the ways that can help you out the most.
However, if the situation escalates and you become a victim of a scam, proceeding yourself isn’t a safe option. In this case, make sure you report the case to the Federal Trade Commission to avoid further damage to your security.
