Cell Phone Numbers May Not be Listed
Cellular telephones, due to their complex billing structure, are often not listed in any publication that would make the number readily available. While some cell phone numbers may be easily identifiable by conducting a simple Google search, most are somewhat difficult to track down. For this reason, many businesses and private individuals prefer cellular telephones for conducting business, especially risky marketing practices or clandestine businesses with which the owner might not want to be identified.
Identify the Area Code and Prefix
At the very least, cell phone numbers may be tracked back to their general geographic area using their telephone company-issued area code and prefix. These six digits, identified as the NPA/NXX in telephone company lingo, are tied to the region and town where the number was first issued. Using this information, the origin of the cell phone number may be identified using an official NPA/NXX table like the one found in the front section of most telephone directories.
The North American Number Plan Administration (NANPA), who coordinates all NPA/NXX arrangements, also has a helpful tool on its website that can be used to quickly and easily identify the location of an area code. It should noted, however, that the mobile nature of cell phones means that the phone's owner or user is not necessarily located in the identified geographic area, as many cell phones now work seamlessly nationwide.
Identify the Cell Phone Carrier
If more information than just the likely geographic location of the phone is needed, another online tool may be able to supply information on the wireless carrier that issued the mobile number and provide information on contacting that carrier. FoneFinder.net, an online resource used in the telecommunications industry, queries the NANPA database to determine which company is responsible for issuing certain telephone numbers. Most telephone numbers--including cell phones--can be identified using this tool, and a link to the carrier's website is also provided for further investigation.
When All Else Fails, Call the Number
If the geographic location and the wireless carrier that issued the cell phone number is not enough information, the last step may be to simply call the number and inquire as to who is speaking. Since most cell phone carriers do not provide advanced services like rejection of anonymous calls, covert callers may prefix the cell phone number with *67 (1167 for rotary lines) to prevent display of their own number on the called phone. This approach, if used in earnest and not abused, may be the most direct, simplest and most effective method of identifying a cell phone number.
