A reverse phone lookup could be a useful and effective tool whether you are looking to return a missed call from an unrecognizable number or worried that you may have become a victim of a phone scam. It’s a convenient method to identify or verify the source of an unknown number, and depending on which tool you use, it could provide you with not only a name but also with other invaluable information. So, if you are in need of a reverse phone lookup or are simply curious about what it could unravel, here are the 5 must-try tools currently in the market.

1. Search Engines
Search engines such as Google are the simplest and easiest tool for a reverse phone lookup. Simply type in the number with the area code, if there is any, and click search to retrieve any related information. Search engines could crawl, index and rank billions of pages, publicly available online databases, user submissions, and similar online sources to display the most relevant content for your search. This makes search engines an ideal option for a quick scan of any online data related to the number that you are attempting to investigate.
However, it is not without its own limitations. For instance, it can only sift through publicly available online information. This inevitably means that any privately held databases or offline content might not be captured by them. And the results produced could vary among different search engines, and therefore, you may need to use several options for optimum results.

2. Social Media
Social media platforms provide a gold mine of personal data. Facebook alone claims for nearly 2.5 billion active users every month. That’s a whopping 3 out of every 10 people on the planet. Needless to say, the most popular social media platforms could prove a worthy source for a reverse phone lookup. And if you find a match, they could also lead you to uncover a wealth of information related to the number’s owner.
In addition to searching user profiles, another advantage is their ability to sift through posts and even forums in search of relevant information. This becomes useful especially for numbers associated with previous fraud, stalking, harassment or any similar activities since many people tend to share and discuss such events with their network and social communities. Therefore, if the number in question has been associated with any previous incidents, searching on social media platforms could unearth some valuable information for you. This could even provide you with the opportunity to get in touch with others with similar experiences.

3. People search sites
People search sites such as Nuwber are the best option when you are in need of fast, reliable and more in-depth information. These are especially useful when you are faced with a safety or security concern such as call harassment or fraud. Or even if you are racing against time to quickly uncover a few details using a phone number. These sites could unearth a range of related details at a click of a button, and this is exactly why they have grown in prominence for reverse phone lookups.
The advantage they have over a search engine or social media platform is their ability to collate a tremendous amount of data from numerous information sources including public records and social profiles, and even privately held databases that could only be accessed with a payment. This allows them to build extensive databases with profiles capturing millions of people, making it very difficult for anyone to evade them. Therefore, while you stand a greater chance of uncovering a matching profile by using a people search site, you are also able to retrieve an incredible amount of information with them compared to other methods.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
4. Caller Identification apps
Caller Identification apps such as Truecaller and Showcaller can serve as a useful source to identify unknown numbers by using their massive databases. They can also provide a range of additional features that could include blocking of unwanted calls and text messages as well as call recording. And their user-generated spam directories are another advantage, which enables the apps to automatically detect and block such numbers.
However, unlike the other options, these apps are not able to provide you with any other details in addition to the caller’s name.

5. Caller ID
Caller ID services are usually provided by all mobile telecommunication providers at a small fee. This enables the display of the number of incoming calls, enabling you to avoid the unwanted one. It may also display the registered name of the caller, depending on the service you have subscribed to.
This is more of a preventative step that will allow you to recognize numbers that are not already saved on your phone.

So, if you are looking to protect yourself from possible fraud or simply trying to verify a lost contact, use these reverse phone lookup options for the best results. They can serve as a powerful tool to help you stay safe and make informed decisions by equipping you with the right information.