I need to find a free reverse phone directory, where do I go?
There are a number of free places that you can consult when youre searching for a free reverse phone directory. One of the first places that comes to mind is the local 411 or yellow pages.
Do the free directories have precise and up to date listings?
These free directories use generic databases of land line telephone numbers. We cannot expect much from a free "charity" service like that. So if you're looking up a mobile telephone number or a de-listed number you will most certainly not find it there. There are better alternatives which are described below.
How come regular land line telephone numbers are so easy to come by?
Landlines are provided by the main telephone registrar who lets pretty much anyone gain access to their database. Lately its becoming stricter, but in broader terms, it is still pretty much the same deal.
Why are cell phone and un-listed numbers so hard to trace?
It's because de-listed numbers are automatically removed from the main registrar and thus from all the free 411 switchboards. Cell phones are not found in the 411 directories because it's hard to assemble them in one place, since they don't get automatically posted into the phone books, but there are also other reasons for that.
Charges
If someone calls you on a landline and starts pitching you a product you might be mad because the person on the other line is taking up your time, but if that someone calls you on a cell phone and does the same you might end up paying for the phone call on a per minute basis. Naturally you'd want to find the source from which the person got your phone number and if it turns out to be your phone carrier then you might try and make them pay for the talk time that occurred because of their negligence, which they definitely don't want you to do.
Unsolicited SMS messages
SBMS (extra B is added for Bulk) is a real concern in several developed Asian countries. Since many carriers make you pay for SMS messages even if you're on the receiving end, SBMS might hurt you financially as well as mentally.
Where to go to find a record on a cell phone number?
If you search hard you will be able to find 2 or 3 companies that offer high quality reverse cell phone look ups. When going through these sites make sure that you're presented with a sample report that shows the type of information that you can get on a given phone number.
There are a number of free places that you can consult when youre searching for a free reverse phone directory. One of the first places that comes to mind is the local 411 or yellow pages.
Do the free directories have precise and up to date listings?
These free directories use generic databases of land line telephone numbers. We cannot expect much from a free "charity" service like that. So if you're looking up a mobile telephone number or a de-listed number you will most certainly not find it there. There are better alternatives which are described below.
How come regular land line telephone numbers are so easy to come by?
Landlines are provided by the main telephone registrar who lets pretty much anyone gain access to their database. Lately its becoming stricter, but in broader terms, it is still pretty much the same deal.
Why are cell phone and un-listed numbers so hard to trace?
It's because de-listed numbers are automatically removed from the main registrar and thus from all the free 411 switchboards. Cell phones are not found in the 411 directories because it's hard to assemble them in one place, since they don't get automatically posted into the phone books, but there are also other reasons for that.
Charges
If someone calls you on a landline and starts pitching you a product you might be mad because the person on the other line is taking up your time, but if that someone calls you on a cell phone and does the same you might end up paying for the phone call on a per minute basis. Naturally you'd want to find the source from which the person got your phone number and if it turns out to be your phone carrier then you might try and make them pay for the talk time that occurred because of their negligence, which they definitely don't want you to do.
Unsolicited SMS messages
SBMS (extra B is added for Bulk) is a real concern in several developed Asian countries. Since many carriers make you pay for SMS messages even if you're on the receiving end, SBMS might hurt you financially as well as mentally.
Where to go to find a record on a cell phone number?
If you search hard you will be able to find 2 or 3 companies that offer high quality reverse cell phone look ups. When going through these sites make sure that you're presented with a sample report that shows the type of information that you can get on a given phone number.