The digital age may have brought advancement to civilization, but it also came with some danger. And one of them is scam calls.
Many have fallen victim to scam calls. And you have probably received one or heard someone has because of how prevalent it is today. Typically, people ignore a random number calling them since they know their friends or family’s number. But what if they tell you they have changed the number? Or if you are expecting a call from a job interview or a contractor?
Knowing whose number is calling you will put your mind at ease. So this article will tell you some options on how to identify who’s calling you.
Search on Google
Google’s algorithm is updated and well-programmed. And any business that’s calling you will pop up in the results if you search their number.
But, even with all the accuracy, Google is not always the best way to know who is calling you. But it is fast. Many websites will let you provide feedback on the number or help identify it, which is not always informative, but may help determine if the number calling you is legit.
Google may also help you if the number calling you is a landline. Mobile numbers can be difficult because of the laws that surround them. So you typically have to pay to get details on those.
Another benefit of Google is identifying the area code of the number. The first digits of the number will help track the location of the call. If the number is from a distant place where you have friends and family, it may be enough for you to trust the call. But again, mobile numbers will not show in search results. Unless, of course, it’s linked to businesses or other establishments.
Use Reverse Phone Lookup
If you are still asking, “Whose number is this calling me?” The best solution would be to use a reverse phone lookup. Websites like Pipl, Spokeo, Numberville, or Whitepages can help you determine who is calling if you only have a number.
There are plenty of websites that offer free services, but the accuracy is questionable. So it would be best to use paid services to have accurate details. Bear in mind that some data may not reflect the current owner. But more often than not, it is correct.
Browse and Search Social Media
Most businesses and other public institutions will have accounts on social media. If the number calling is associated with any of those, its number will also be present in their accounts.
Another scenario is people ranting about the number in their newsfeeds if many have already fallen victim to it. So, it’s worth a try to search the number on some of your favorite social media sites to see if anything pops up.
Call the Number
The other option would be to call the number back. But it does put you at risk of calling someone you don’t want.
It would be best to use *67 before calling the random number to hide yours. This way, the other person on the line will not know if you are using a live number. If you want to talk to the person, you can. But if not, you can hang up immediately or listen for a while since they don’t know what number you are using.
Conclusion
With plenty of scammers today, it would be best to take precautions if a random number calls you. If you are unsure who the other person is, the options above may help you identify them. But always remember, if you are sure it is a scam, just ignore it and go on with your day.