Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, has become very popular among individuals and businesses due to its advanced features and other benefits, such as cost-effectiveness, scalability, and convenient audio and video calling solutions. However, there is a common concern when using VoIP calls, How to find the owner of a VoIP number? Businesses need to know the owner of a VoIP number. For example, you may receive a spam call harassing you or miss an important call.
When an unidentified caller calls you through VoIP, you can only see the Caller ID, which is insufficient to identify who may be calling your business phone. Even if you have one of the best quality VoIP services, you will need to use different methods to find who is calling your office phone by using a VoIP number.
Here in this article, we will describe some tips that can help you uncover the owner of a VoIP number.
Tips to Uncover the Owner of VoIP
Here are some tips to uncover the owner of VoIP
1. Set Up Caller ID On Your Device
VoIP phones offer numerous advantages, such as enhanced accessibility and seamless software integrations. However, before using them, it is essential to configure the device to align with your organization’s requirements and ensure security measures. One crucial enabling aspect is caller ID, comprising the Default VoIP phone number and the Caller ID Name (CNAM).
While the specific steps for activating caller ID can vary depending on your device, the general approach involves accessing the account settings through the main menu and selecting the corresponding option. Within this section, you can typically designate whether you want to display the incoming VoIP call number and the associated name.
If the name is already in your phonebook, it will be automatically shown when calls are received. In cases where the name is not pre-saved, the service will cross-reference online databases to identify the owner’s name linked to the number, presenting this information on your screen when you receive a call.
2. Contact Your VoIP Service Provider
Your VoIP service provider can trace the origin of a call if the caller employs a registered caller ID and an associated IP address. To initiate this process, you can contact your provider’s support team and provide them with the caller’s ID and the time of the call.
Your provider can perform this trace for typical users without any additional charges. In specific scenarios, there might be a fee associated with the service, particularly if it is an optional add-on provided by the service.
Moreover, you can request a CNAM lookup from the VoIP service provider to assist you in identifying the caller. However, you should offer valid justification for your query to secure approval for this action.
In cases where the caller acts maliciously and has taken measures to obscure their ID and IP address, determining their identity becomes more challenging. Consequently, the service provider might also encounter difficulty in procuring this information.
3. Use Of Automated Service *69
You can activate an automated service by dialing “*69” on your telephone. This service is designed to present you with comprehensive information about the most recent call, encompassing both the VoIP number utilized and the time of the call. This system is also equipped to reveal details of calls even when the caller has opted to block or conceal their caller ID.
The convenience of VoIP service providers facilitating global communication round the clock lends significance to the utility of the “*69” automated service. It proves especially advantageous when you’ve missed a call, enabling you to retrieve vital details. Moreover, this service can help you pinpoint and deter spam callers who may subject you to unwarranted harassment.
4. Use Hard phone/ Softphone Packet Analyzer
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, which include softphones and headphones, are commonly employed in call centers. Call agents with headsets utilize these phones to manage incoming and outgoing calls. SIP functions as a signaling protocol, overseeing crucial aspects of internet telephony, encompassing voice communication and multimedia sessions conducted over an IP network.
A SIP hard phone resembles a traditional desktop telephone. It is linked to a Local Area Network (LAN), a collection of interconnected devices designed to access internal servers or share a single internet connection.
On the other hand, SIP softphones take the form of VoIP calling applications and software. They leverage the call signaling protocol to establish connections between a gatekeeper and an endpoint within a telephone network.
In scenarios where maintaining callers in a queue is essential to facilitate smooth call transfers to different departments, a call queuing feature proves valuable. However, certain calls might disconnect, prompting the desire to reconnect with the caller. A packet analyzer becomes indispensable To accomplish this on a SIP phone. This software intercepts, or records network traffic, and its SIP filter provides insights into the VoIP owner’s IP address and Caller ID Name (CNAM), aiding in tracing the number.
5. Conduct A Reverse Phone Research
A reverse phone search or lookup can offer valuable assistance when you find yourself with a missed call and a desire to unveil the caller’s identity. This process involves taking the provided caller ID and entering it into a designated application or lookup website. By doing so, you can search for comprehensive details about the caller. Reverse phone lookups are accessible for free or through an affordable subscription fee, often yielding information such as the owner’s name and address.
Professionals in the legal field, such as lawyers, can derive notable advantages from employing reverse phone searches. This resource allows them to discern the identities of individuals attempting to reach out, potentially contributing to ongoing cases. Instances may arise where a phone call was missed or prematurely disconnected, a situation that can occur when a VoIP phone service provider encounters challenges in maintaining a connection between two parties, referred to as call control.
For lawyers, selecting a VoIP provider with robust features is essential. These features, including call recording, logging, and tracking, are crucial for preserving intricate case details. However, these tools do not encompass the capability to unveil the identity of a VoIP owner. Hence, a reverse phone number search remains vital in such circumstances.
6. Use VoIP Address Domain
Each call facilitated by the VoIP provider generates an address domain visible in your phone’s call logs. This entry typically presents as a phone number or a VoIP address, often resembling an email address format. To proceed, direct your attention to the domain name contained within the address.
Employ this domain name as a starting point to trace back to the originating VoIP provider. Subsequently, your objective is to pinpoint the individual user associated with that specific domain.
7. Check VoIP Call Logs
You can examine your VoIP call logs, like reviewing a phone bill to track received calls on a conventional telephone. It lets you identify missed or prematurely ended calls you wish to re-establish contact with. The approach mirrors that of a traditional phone bill check, retrieving the caller ID or CNAM (Caller ID Name) and searching to ascertain the owner’s identity associated with the VoIP number.
In cases where you lack an in-house IT team, contemplating the engagement of an IT technician is advisable. This professional can undertake a CNAM query on your behalf, facilitating the acquisition of the sought-after information.
8. Perform an IP Address Lookup
To initiate an IP address lookup, you must first get the caller’s IP address. This information can often be accessed through your VoIP phone screen, which retrieves it from your router via the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). DHCP is a protocol responsible for assigning IP addresses within a computer network.
Once you have obtained the IP address, perform an online IP WHOIS lookup. This process allows you to extract comprehensive information about the IP owner, including their location, Internet Service Provider (ISP), hostname, and contact details.
9. Directory Check For Fixed VoIP Number
Two categories of VoIP numbers exist: fixed and non-fixed. The fundamental distinction is that fixed VoIP numbers are linked to a physical address through a VoIP provider, which connects to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) via a broadband network. Conversely, non-fixed VoIP numbers are often called “virtual numbers” and are associated with diverse locations.
VoIP service providers extend various phone numbers, encompassing local area codes, toll-free, and virtual numbers. VoIP phones’ inherent mobility and flexibility set them apart from traditional counterparts, as they liberate users from being tethered to specific phone numbers or physical addresses. However, non-fixed VoIP numbers pose a challenge regarding traceability, as they may prove exceedingly difficult to track down.
When tracing fixed VoIP numbers, resorting to more traditional methods, such as consulting a phone directory, may be necessary.
10. Talk To Law Enforcement
Suppose you contend with spam calls, distressing prank calls affecting your mental well-being, or suspecting potential scams or extortion attempts. In that case, it is a prudent step to involve your local law enforcement agency. Informing them about these concerns can initiate a process to identify the owner of the VoIP phone number in question.
Illicit phishing activities are unlawful, warranting intervention from authorities such as the FBI to prevent scammers from victimizing more individuals. It is imperative to provide comprehensive data from your call logs to aid their investigation. Taking these actions will likely prompt a response and, in all likelihood, lead to identifying the VoIP number’s owner.
Final Words - Find Owner Of VoIP Number
In the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) empire, uncovering a number’s owner can prove invaluable for various reasons, from deterring spam calls to addressing potential threats. This article has delved into various effective strategies to achieve this goal.
There are diverse avenues to explore, from setting up caller IDs and engaging with VoIP service providers to utilizing automated services, conducting reverse phone research, and exploring IP address lookup methods. The importance of involving law enforcement when facing concerning or malicious calls has also been highlighted.
By leveraging these techniques, individuals and businesses can enhance their ability to identify VoIP number owners, ensuring a safer and more secure communication experience.
