In today’s digital age, unknown calls from unidentified numbers are commonplace. While it may be tempting to call back a missed call, it is essential to know the risks associated with calling back an unknown number.
Updated October 2026. We corrected the number of tools covered, toned down unverified claims about the services and added the FTC’s guidance on handling unwanted calls.
The threat of hackers and scammers is real, and you may end up compromising your personal and financial information. In this article, we discuss five tools you can use to find out who called you from an unknown number, plus free steps you can take first.
Tools to find out who called me –
1. WhoCallMe.com – Quickest Way To Know Who Called And Block Threats
WhoCallMe is a phone number lookup website designed to help users identify unknown callers and potential threats. You enter the phone number in the search box, and the site generates results based on the information it holds.
The WhoCallMe website generates detailed reports based on publicly available information. Using just the phone number, you can see who called you and their civil records, criminal records, and sex offender data, if any.
Highlights:
Phone Directory: Provides additional information on phone number owners and phone carriers.
Who Called Me: Look up unknown numbers to know who called and their contact details.
Discover the address of the person who called: Identify the home or work address of the individual who called you with a simple reverse phone lookup.
Pros & Cons –
Pros:
- Fast searches only take a few seconds.
- Authentic and reliable reports that are available 24/7.
- Regularly updated servers ensure you get relevant results for your phone number queries.
- Anonymous searches that protect your privacy.
Cons:
- Service is only available to US-based users.
- You may have to pay a subscription fee to access fully detailed reports.
2. WhoseNumber.com – Best Lookup Service with an Extensive Database to Search Phone Numbers
WhoseNumber is a reverse phone lookup website that says it gathers information from various public, state and federal databases to provide background information on the owner of a phone number.
When you look up this phone number on WhoseNumber, you can find out the caller’s full name, age, employment history, address, and other information that is available to the public. Searching for who just called is straightforward using WhoseNumber. Just input the target phone number in the provided section and click “search” to get background information on the caller.
Highlights:
User-friendly Interface: The website is easy to navigate and access on both mobile and desktop devices.
Vast Database: Get detailed reports on the owner of the number from reliable sources.
Additional Lookup Service Available: On top of reverse phone lookup, you get to check out the phone directory service and perform an area code lookup based on phone number or city.
Pros & Cons –
Pros:
- High level of security to ensure the anonymity of searches.
- Reliable customer support.
- Detailed reports on the target phone number’s owner.
Cons:
- Some of the information shared on the website may come across as unnecessary.
Also Read – Is Redbubble a Legitimate Marketplace for Independent Artists and Designers?
3. Truecaller – Identify Unknown Numbers and Block Spam Calls and SMS
Truecaller is a popular app for identifying unknown numbers and blocking spam calls and SMS. It has a vast database of phone numbers and provides users with information about the caller’s identity, including their name and profile picture. Truecaller also has a spam blocking feature that allows users to block unwanted calls and SMS.
Highlights:
Spam Detection: Truecaller’s advanced algorithms can detect spam calls and SMS, helping users avoid them.
Number Lookup: Users can look up numbers to identify unknown callers and block them if necessary.
Community-Based: Truecaller’s vast user base contributes to its database, ensuring that its results are accurate and up-to-date.
Pros & Cons –
Pros:
- Available for both Android and iOS devices.
- User-friendly interface.
- Has a massive database of phone numbers.
Cons:
- Requires access to contacts and other personal information to function correctly.
4. Intelius – Comprehensive Background Checks
Intelius is a popular background check service that can be used to find information on people, including their phone numbers. Users can search for phone numbers to identify unknown callers and obtain additional information about the caller, such as their full name, address, and criminal records.
Highlights:
Comprehensive Reports: Intelius provides in-depth reports on the target phone number, including criminal and civil records.
Background Check: Users can perform a comprehensive background check on individuals using their phone numbers.
Identity Protection: Intelius offers identity protection services that help users monitor their personal information.
Pros & Cons –
Pros:
- Provides comprehensive background checks.
- Offers identity protection services.
- Has a vast database of public records.
Cons:
- Some users may find the service to be expensive.
- Reports may not always be accurate.
5. Whitepages – The Ultimate Phone Directory
Whitepages is a popular phone directory that can be used to find information on people and their phone numbers. Users can search for phone numbers to identify unknown callers and obtain additional information about the caller, such as their full name and address.
Highlights:
Phone Directory: Whitepages has a vast phone directory that contains information on millions of phone numbers.
Reverse Phone Lookup: Users can perform a reverse phone lookup to identify unknown callers.
Background Check: Whitepages provides basic background checks on individuals.
Pros & Cons –
Pros:
- Has a massive database of phone numbers.
- Offers a comprehensive phone directory.
- User-friendly interface.
Cons:
- Some users may find the service to be expensive.
- Reports may not always be accurate.
Before You Use a Lookup Service
Lookup results can be incomplete or out of date, and claims about accuracy, privacy and pricing come from the providers themselves, so check each service’s current terms before you pay. You can also try a few free steps first. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises that if you get an illegal robocall, you should hang up and not call back, and not press any numbers. It also suggests blocking unwanted numbers in your phone’s settings, checking whether your phone provider offers call-blocking or call-labeling services, or using a call-blocking app (some charge a fee).
In the US, you can report unwanted calls at DoNotCall.gov. If you lost money to a scammer or have information about one, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Have you used any of these tools to find out who called you? Let us know if you missed any useful number identification tool that you love.
