Reverse phone lookup or reverse phone search is a way of finding out the true identities of unknown callers through their phone numbers. Various phone lookup services maintain extensive directories that can provide information associated with phone numbers registered in the United States. Available information can include names, addresses, and even public records. Understanding how to search through these online-based phone databases can help Tennesseans determine whether or not to answer a call or redial it. Those that receive lots of robocalls should consider adding their phone numbers to the national and state Do Not Call Registries.
What are Tennessee Phone Numbers?
Homes and businesses in Tennessee use fixed and virtual phone numbers for their phone calling needs. Over the last 20 years, phone preferences have changed from landlines to wireless phones in the state. According to a report published by the Center for Disease Control National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), more than 60% of Tennessee residences are wireless-only homes, while less than 4% of the state’s households use landlines exclusively.
There are four widely used phone carriers in Tennessee, and they include Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Verizon has the widest network coverage in the state. AT&T and T-Mobile come in second and third places, respectively, while Sprint has the smallest coverage.
Tennesseans have also embraced virtual phone numbers offered by Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. Because of their flexibility and low costs, these services have gained tremendous popularity, with the United States hitting 118 million VoIP users in 2020, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Today, these figures are expected to be higher.
Can I Search a Phone Number and Find Out Who it is?
Yes, it is possible to use the search engines provided by phone lookup services to investigate and retrieve the information associated with phone numbers. These online-based directories sift through their comprehensive databases to uncover callers’ information. Typically, phone lookup databases can be searched by name and address. These search engines are useful if curious about who called you with a random number.
While results are almost always available for fixed numbers, virtual numbers may be difficult to track down. This is because scammers use fake numbers and disposable phones to place scam calls making it impossible to determine who owns some of these numbers.
What are Phone Lookup Services?
A phone lookup service provides an online search engine where you can enter a number and find out who owns it. Usually, phone caller ID features allow phone users to identify incoming callers by name and phone number. However, with new methods of call spoofing, caller ID alone may not be accurate when determining the true identity of a caller.
Given that scammers know that most people of Tennessee rarely answer calls from unknown numbers, they currently call with fake IDs to get recipients to answer their calls. Fortunately, using phone lookup services can help you discover malicious callers from those with genuine intent.
What Information Can You Get from a Tennessee Phone Number Lookup Search?
A quick reverse phone lookup search surfaces records provided to phone carriers when registering new phone numbers. These include the following details about identified unknown callers:
- Full name
- Address
- Age
- Gender
These pieces of information are available from reverse phone lookup free searches. For most people, these details are enough to decide whether to trust unknown callers or not. However, additional details are sometimes needed to fully identify strangers trying to contact you. For detailed search results, opt for a phone number lookup search provider that offers a paid service capable of finding more information. Some of such service providers can find and look through public social media posts as well as public records to show more details about the unknown callers identified.
These premium services are also useful for investigating businesses, charities, and similar organizations soliciting donations, sales, and investment funds. They can access the watchlists of consumer protection agencies and online forums to unearth reports of previous phone scams and terrible customer experiences.
What is a VoIP Number?
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Services is a modern phone communication system that transmits voice and video calls over the internet. The increased flexibility and cost-effective packages provided by VoIP services make them more appealing to many than mobile and landline phone services.
Many households and offices in Tennessee are opting for VoIP services which allows them to initiate and respond to local and international calls at lower rates. These virtual phone numbers offer voice mails, call waiting, texting, video calls, and PBX features that can work anywhere in the world. However, these incredibly convenient features also create a loophole that allows both local and foreign scammers to obtain VoIP numbers with any area code of their choice. Therefore, the next time you receive a call from an unknown number with Tennessee area code, be aware that the call could have originated anywhere in the world.
Scammers usually obtain VoIP numbers using incorrect user information. Also, because of the virtual nature of a VoIP number, a scammer using it cannot be traced to a particular device, IMEI number, name, or location. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, for law enforcement and phone lookup services to track some of these numbers. Therefore, when no result is found after a reverse phone search, there is a possibility that the number searched is a VoIP number used by a scammer. Even then, learning how to use phone lookup services to your advantage is a great first step in keeping scammers away from your phone.
What is a Tennessee Phone Number Area Code?
Telephone numbers in the United States are either 10 digits or 11 digits arranged in three and four blocks respectively. This numbering system was established in 1947 by AT&T and Bell to formulate a uniform phone numbering system. Area codes are the first three bracketed numbers in a 10-digit phone number. These numbers were assigned to indicate the region, city, and municipality of phone owners.
What is a Tennessee Phone Number Prefix Code?
A prefix code is the second block consisting of 3 numbers in a 10-digit phone number. It suggests the specific municipality or town where the call originated. For example, in the telephone number (731) 123-4567,
- 731 symbolizes the area code
- 123 is the prefix code
- 4567 is the line number
The phone number written as +1 (731) 123-4567 includes the United States country code and is arranged in the following manner:
- The country code is +1
- The area code is 731
- The prefix code is 123
- The phone line number is 4567
Is There a Way to Lookup a Phone Number for Free in Tennessee?
Yes, there are several ways to lookup a phone number for free in Tennessee. Inquirers may use free reverse lookup directories to search for an individual's phone number by name. Free phone number reverse lookup websites are resources that compile people's publicly listed contact information and make it available to the public. However, these sites are only sometimes accurate and may have out-of-date or incorrect phone numbers listed for a particular name.
Additionally, users may look up a person's phone number through other free resources that offer free reverse searches with varying levels of success depending on the amount of information one has about an individual (name, address, etc.). Lastly, social media platforms allow users to search for individuals by name or location and view their contact details if made available.
Additionally, Tennessee residents have access to public data resources containing online business entity databases that list all businesses registered in the state. An alternate method is to obtain a valid library card and use a local library's free reverse lookup directories. This is an excellent option for those who wish to remain anonymous since there is no need to register with a third-party website.
Is Reverse Phone Lookup Legal in Tennessee?
Yes. Residents of Tennessee can use reverse phone number searches to look up strange callers trying to contact them. The state recognizes that phone number lookup tools are useful for avoiding scammers and discovering stalkers and spammers.
Like other states in the country, Tennessee does not have specific laws defining the use and limits of phone number lookup services and does not regulate their operations. However, it requires them to operate within the confines of the state’s civil and criminal laws. Therefore, both users and providers of reverse phone lookup searches must not use these tools with the intention to defraud and extort residents. Similarly, it is illegal to use phone number lookup searches to stalk, harass, or steal personal information from others.
Tennessee demands that those using phone number lookup services do so without disobeying its privacy laws. Users and providers of phone number lookups must not snoop on their targets or obtain confidential records about them without their consent or due process. Therefore, reverse lookup services can get details for their search results as long as those are public records.
