Marketers and fraudsters always have ways and means of getting our contact details and attempting to part us from our cash. In the case of marketers, this can be very inconvenient. They call at all hours, claim to be on our side, and often refuse to take no for an answer. Fraudsters are even more pernicious, aiming to trick or bully us into paying them or revealing precious, private information.

Experts say that even if you have realized who’s on the line, you may feel pressured and fall for the tricks of such people. If the fraudster got through to you, you should stop the conversation and immediately hang up. Otherwise, you may lose your temper or money.

What is more, they can use robocalls to do their “work.” Their robocallers are increasingly natural sounding and may even carry out basic conversations, responding to us as if someone was on the line. The danger is that your answer lets them mark your number as “good”, and they will try to fool you again and again.

In the face of a world that is increasingly connected and with more tricks to catch unsuspecting victims, we need to make the most of ways to counter them.

A reverse phone lookup service is an excellent way to protect yourself against fraudsters. Reverse phone lookup search help us redress the balance. So here are some of the best reverse phone lookup sites available today to help keep you safe and preserve your peace of mind.

1. PhoneHistory

PhoneHistory offers a comprehensive service to business users and individuals. If someone has called or texted you, but you don’t recognize the number, you can use PhoneHistory to discover the caller’s phone history (yes, the clue is in the business name) and the caller’s name, address, and more.

It’s an excellent place to start your search for more information. Their database comprises 500 million US cell and landline numbers and is continuously growing.

2. Trapcall

With Trapcall, just go ahead and decline any unknown numbers. Without any other interaction on your part, TrapCall will redirect the caller to their system. You won’t have to deal with them.

TrapCall will send you a notification with details about the caller you declined, including location information. Decide whether the caller seems legit or whether they are another one in a long list of scammers, in which case you can go on blissfully ignoring them by blocking their number.

3. Whitepages

Whitepages has been doing its thing since 1997, so you can rest assured that they know a thing or two about contact details. Their reverse lookup service will furnish you with information about the unknown caller, but you will get more if you go for the premium service.

To get the most out of Whitepages, it may be worth paying for their top service. Go premium, and Whitepages will give you associated mobile phone numbers and a complete address.

4. Truecaller

This app is excellent for people who like a warning when a potential spam call comes through. Interacting with a potential fraudster or a persistent marketer is no fun, so download this app to help cut them out.

Its reverse phone lookup offers background details when the caller is unknown. This versatile app can also help you fill in missing information regarding your existing contacts! If you have a phone number of a friend, for example, you can use Truecaller to find their email address or social media information.

5. Google

Google has been in the business of knowing other people’s business for many years. If you receive a call from an unknown number, you can type the number in question into Google’s search box and strap yourself in for the ride.

Best case scenario: the number belongs to a tried-and-tested business and you are graced with dozens of positive, verifiable reviews, a mission statement, social media, and the firm’s street address.

If the phone number belongs to a scammer or an annoying marketer, the chances are good that someone will have complained about them online. Google might point you toward a message board, comments on a blog, or a dedicated website aimed at avoiding scams where users comment on whether the threat from a number is mild, such as an annoying repeat caller, or dangerous, such as someone attempting phishing.

Exercise caution if a Google search doesn’t bring up much information.

6. Your Phone Company

Your phone company may offer the *57 service, which helps you see hidden numbers. It works best when you dial *57 directly after the call.

Your phone company knows what calls have been made and, as you would expect, they have phone history information. Whether they divulge that information depends on your phone company and how charming you can be.

If your phone company is willing to help you track down the owner of a number or at least help you work out whether it is likely to be a fraud attempt, make sure that you meet the phone company in the middle by having the exact time and date of the call to hand.

Not all carriers offer this service. Those that do may or may not charge you each time. If this information is not forthcoming when you call, make sure to ask so you know where you stand.

Whatever you can do to discern the identity of an unknown number, go ahead and do it. There are some excellent services out there that can help us identify genuine businesses and block scammers and spammers.

Scam professionals make the most of technology to extend their reach and contact as many people as possible. It’s a kind of poetic justice to use phone technology against them!

Make life as difficult as possible for fraudsters and as smooth as possible for you by following these tips. Familiarize yourself with good reverse phone lookup resources so you can use them quickly when the time comes, taking advantage of this technology to help keep you, your friends, and your family safe.