There has been a lot of talk about these things called reverse phone directories, and people have been using them for a good number of years now, but one question that has probably crossed your mind is in regards to whether or not a white pages reverse lookup can even help you get information on unknown callers.

To answer this question, let us first take a quick look at what a reverse phone number lookup does in the first place. The technology has been around for a while, and you may be surprised to learn that private investigators, law enforcement and emergency response teams have been using reverse lookup databases for several decades, although the ones that they use are a little different than the ones made available to the public.

Other names that are used less and less today are gray pages and criss-cross directories. Now companies have brought these same capabilities to the general public to use, but the big question really is whether a reverse phone search is total junk, or a total life saver.

The answer is that they do work, however most white pages reverse lookup services are free, and there are lots and lots of free reverse phone number lookup websites out there, but you need to know two things that can occur with these.

1. They are not accurate

Its probably a 99.9% chance that you are trying to get information on a number that is either private or not listed at all. Considering that this information is so secretive for a reason, you can access it, but you can’t for free.

There is actually a rule in place that says that in order for a company to give you details about someone’s phone number, they must charge for this information to keep the chances of stalking, harassing and cruel behavior less likely to happen.

Therefore, you are probably being fooled if a website claims that it will show you details about a cell phone number search completely for free, and you need to proceed with caution.

2. You don’t know who is behind the site

Not to scare you, and it doesn’t happen a lot, but there are such sites that contain malware that can wreck your computer.

It can be in the form of an ad that loads via your web browser, and so if a free reverse lookup web site looks suspicious – it probably is and you should close the window immediately.

3. What is the alternative to a white pages reverse lookup?

Its suggested that you go with a tried and true reverse cell or landline phone number lookup instead. These services have been around for many years and have served millions of very happy customers.

Believe it or not, but the success rates are actually pretty good with these modern day phone directories.

Now, you do have to pay a fee, but it will probably only be once for an entire year (non reoccuring), the price is very cheap, and you should be given unlimited searching privledges to their collection.

Also, what is super nice about using the real deal is that if you do a search for your own number and it turns up, you can pay usually around $1 to have it removed completely. This alone is worth using a reverse mobile phone lookup website.

What information can I get?

It can’t really be guaranteed what you will find, but on average you should be able to obtain the phone number, which is nice to be for certain that its the same one that you have on hand.

You should also be able to get a name and a detailed address. Sometimes information about household members will turn up as well, granted that they are using the same phone service plan with that same carrier.

Every now and then background records can surface too, and sometimes these can paint a real clear picture of the person that you are concerned about.