Chapter 17: Telephone Numbers

Resources

Freecarrierlookup.com

• This source provides the country, type of service, and provider associated with a cellular or landline number
• This source also provides details about VOIP numbers (considered by M. Bazzell to be the best source for VOIP number details)
• This source is free and does not require any user set up

Related open source resources

Carrierlookup.com

This source only allows one free search per day

Caller ID Databases

Caller ID Databases

Telephone Search Websites

The textbook author provides many sites and static URLs for search submissions to avoid unnecessary screens and advertisements

Telephone Number Search Websites

• Example: I tested "Advanced Background Checks" (advancedbackgroundchecks.com) and found:
• My phone number revealed my full name, age, and three previous addresses as well as both of my parents' full names
• My parents' phone numbers revealed their full names, ages, current address, business address, and the address of an additional owned property
• A friend's phone number revealed nothing
• Another friend's phone number revealed her first name, maiden name, and three previous addresses

Search Tips

• Searches through search engines such as Google and Bing often provide a lot of spam and links to sites with charges for information; however, search engines can be structured for better results
• Search phone numbers in multiple formats such as:
• "2025551212", "202-555-1212", "202.555.1212", "202 555 1212", "(202) 5551212", "(202) 555-1212", "(202) 555.1212", "(202)5551212", "(202)555-1212", "(202)555.1212"

Search Engine Tips

• Many websites restrict sharing contact information; however, users attempt to trick this restriction and the following should also be searched:
• "two zero two five five five one two one two", "two zero two five five five 1212", "two zero two 555 one two one two", "two zero two 555 1212", "202 give five five one two one two", "202 555 one two one two", "202 five five five 1212"

Voicemail messages often contain a name and/or personally recorded message.

The below tools capitalize on voicemail messages:

Spy Dialer

• spydialer.com
• Identifies user by extracting voicemail message
• Allows you to download the message in mp3 format
• **Usually functions without ringing the user's phone; however, Bazzell found approximately 10% of searches rang the user's phone
• This could be suspicious to a paranoid target
• If the target calls the number back, they will be alerted a Spy Dialer call was placed

Sly Dial

• slydial.com
• operated by calling the slydial number (267-759-3425)
• Does not allow for downloading the message; however, by using Google Voice this can be done
• Usually does not ring the target's phone; however, approximately 5% of the time the phone does ring
• Does not reveal a slydial call was placed upon call back

Voicemail

True Caller

• Crowd-sourced database for smart devices
• Upon downloading, the app is given permission to collect contacts and upload them to a master database

Escort Index

• escortindex.com
• If the target is suspected of being involved in prostitution, drugs, or related activity- check this source
• This source combines all prostitution classifieds and review sites into one search and allows search by phone number

Additional Sources

Rewards cards/Loyalty Cards

• At checkout, enter a target phone number to earn "rewards"
• The receipt will likely have the subject's name if they have enrolled in the program

Contact Exploitation

• The android emulator (mentioned in previous textbook chapter) allows you to add the target number with a ficticious contact name.
• Then, open a social media or dating app and ask the app to "find my friends". This function may lead to a profile associated with the target number