Reverse Cell Phone Lookups: Legal and Privacy Issues
Greg Wilson
August 22, 2008
If you do not already know that there are some things you can do to trace cell phone numbers, this is definitely something that you should learn more about. Though you probably know each person who calls your phone, you may not recognize all of the numbers. You have the choice to ignore the call, but when harassing or otherwise mysterious messages are left on your voicemail, you are going to want more. You should know the legalities involved, however.
Once upon a time, reverse phone lookups were only used by the government and police agencies in the pursuit of solving some type of crime. This was something that most people had no idea was in existence, and they would have had no access to it anyway. Today, however, thanks to the Internet and loosened laws, anyone who has Internet can go onto such a site and use the tools they offer.
For the most part, this is legal within the United States. There may be some exceptions, but a site offering reverse cell phone lookup may tell you what those exceptions are. If you live in the UK, however, you may find that you have no access and would be breaking the law if you used such a directory. The same holds true in Australia at the present time - at least in the way of landline numbers. Cell numbers are probably included.
Privacy is a huge concern with cell numbers. There are no directories of these numbers for that very reason. There were, at one time, some sites that offered to sell cell phone number calling logs, but those should no longer be found. It is strictly illegal to buy or sell such information. The reverse lookup, however, is legal for the most part.
If you want to use a reverse phone lookup for cellular phones, you must find a special site that offers that service. Some data will be free, but details will cost you a fee. If you are searching for the owner of a landline number, use the white pages online as a good resource for more information on any listed number.
Once upon a time, reverse phone lookups were only used by the government and police agencies in the pursuit of solving some type of crime. This was something that most people had no idea was in existence, and they would have had no access to it anyway. Today, however, thanks to the Internet and loosened laws, anyone who has Internet can go onto such a site and use the tools they offer.
For the most part, this is legal within the United States. There may be some exceptions, but a site offering reverse cell phone lookup may tell you what those exceptions are. If you live in the UK, however, you may find that you have no access and would be breaking the law if you used such a directory. The same holds true in Australia at the present time - at least in the way of landline numbers. Cell numbers are probably included.
Privacy is a huge concern with cell numbers. There are no directories of these numbers for that very reason. There were, at one time, some sites that offered to sell cell phone number calling logs, but those should no longer be found. It is strictly illegal to buy or sell such information. The reverse lookup, however, is legal for the most part.
If you want to use a reverse phone lookup for cellular phones, you must find a special site that offers that service. Some data will be free, but details will cost you a fee. If you are searching for the owner of a landline number, use the white pages online as a good resource for more information on any listed number.
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