Calls from scammers and spammers are getting more common nowadays. Literally, they are very easy to spot because the number often comes up as “unknown.” But when there’s no caller ID number, you can’t be certain if it’s a spam caller or an important call you were anticipating.
Hence, you can’t just take hasty decisions in blocking such numbers. You should consider finding out who’s calling you from an unknown or blocked number in most situations. Fortunately, there are several ways to go about that. In this guide, we’ll show you how to find out an unknown caller’s number using five basic methods. Bearing that in mind, let’s kick things off!
How to Find Out an Unknown Caller’s Number:
Method #1: Dial *69 to Trace the Unknown Number
Dialing *69 on a landline isn’t a new concept, but it’s still useful today, and you may use it when you get a call from an unknown number or find out the caller ID of a particular number . Even if the caller hangs up or you do not wish to pick up, you can dial *69 after the call is completed to be connected to the number that just phoned you.
While this action will not provide you with the person’s precise phone number, it will reconnect you to them. You might then ask why they called and try to learn more about the person and their intentions.
Method #2: Dial *57 to Track an Unknown Caller ID number
Those who frequently receive harassing phone calls or calls from unknown numbers that hang up without speaking may prefer the *57 option.
Similarly to *69, dialing *57 allows your phone to call back the number that just called you. The phone provider can use the *57 feature to track the last number that called you and capture all pertinent metadata. Authorities can access this information repository if they require the records for legal proceedings. Prior to that, you would need to keep a record of the date and time that you dialed *57. However, if this information is missing, your report may be delayed.
Method #3: Contact Your Phone Company to Trace Unknown Number
Calling your phone’s service provider is a simple way to retrieve the mystery phone number. Most of the time, a few easy searches on their end will show the unknown number that called you. The representative serves as an anonymous caller identification service.
You can also get a complete record of every number that has called you in a specific time period, regardless of whether their ID was blocked or not. Your company may also be able to assist you with extra steps, such as banning specific numbers so they do not call you again.
However, keep in mind that the company may charge for this service. While they may not, in some situations, finding out the source of an anonymous caller may be beyond the limits of your plan.
Also read: Best Robocall & Spam Call Blockers
Method #4: Use a Third-Party App to Trace Unknown Numbers Calling
If you aren’t having success with the methods described above, there are a few third-party applications that you can use for assistance. These apps will search online databases for information on unfamiliar callers and display information like their name, address, and phone number. After that, you can choose to report and block the spammers, telemarketers, or robocalls.
While some apps are free, some have monthly payment plans. Here are some notable apps that users have tested and verified:
Method #5: Report Scam Calls to the FTC
Once you find out that a call is coming from a telemarketer, consider reporting them to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can carry out this activity online by inputting the necessary information on the government website.
The Federal Trade Commission closely monitors scam calls and relies on public tips to track current trends and offenders. By sharing your information, you are assisting in the abolition of unwanted telemarketing and fraud.
Final Words
There you have it on how to find out an unknown caller’s number. With the methods outlined above, you should be able to carry out this task effectively. All you need to do is to go through each of them and find the one that works for you.
