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A reverse phone lookup is an easy way for individuals to trace phone numbers back to the company or person to which it belongs. This is also known as a reverse directory since it works in a manner that is opposite to that of a traditional phone book. For example, instead of searching for the name Smith, John to find John Smiths phone number, this system correlates a phone number with its owner, John Smith. Using a reverse phone lookup system requires that a 10-digit phone number be provided. Depending on the type of service, address and other details may be available with the search. For someone receiving calls from an unknown number, this tactic may be an ideal option for identifying the caller.

Emergency lines, like the national 911 options, use such systems to determine the derivation of a call. Public systems are also available; however, unlike the emergency reverse phone lookup systems, public options do not usually contain information deemed private, restricting available information to that contained in the public domain. Therefore, an unlisted number cannot usually be traced to its owner in these systems. If the number is not listed in a publically accessible database, a reverse search cannot be performed. In these cases, the information provided by the search may be restricted to the state in which the phone number is registered; the specific owner, be it an individual or company, will not be available. If the number is not listed, the type and carrier may also be provided. For example, search results may explain that the number is a ?cell number? and the carrier company is Verizon Wireless.

Reverse phone lookup systems are sometimes provided as an additional component of common directory services, but some systems are available at cost. Now, these systems have become accessible online. Such online reverse directories may be free to users, while other systems, often more intricate in detail, may charge users a fee. This fee may be one-time access fee or a fee that is incurred on a per-search basis. Online directories simply require that the number be entered into a search box and a national search is automatically performed.

Many individuals also utilize general search engine websites to search an unidentified 10-digit phone number. Since these search engines seek information by way of millions of websites, increased likelihood of obtainable information may result. The level of information provided by the search depends upon the websites individual configurations. These searches can be done on numbers contained in either white page or yellow page directories. Therefore, business phone numbers or personally registered numbers may be searched. Also, it is important to note that reverse phone lookups may be utilized for both cell phone and landline numbers, as long as they are listed in the public domain.