If you have ever received a call from an unknown number, it’s normal to wonder who’s on the other end and why they are calling you. Fortunately, you can use a reverse phone lookup in Canada to uncover insights on that mystery immediately. These tools come in handy for identifying unknown callers, verifying business contacts, and even spotting fraudsters. You can also use them to find old friends and loved ones. Here, we’ve tested and ranked some of the best phone lookups in Canada that are worth your time.
What is a reverse phone lookup?
A Reverse phone lookup is a tool or service that allows you to identify the owner of a phone number by scanning public and proprietary databases. It works like an old phone book, but this time entirely online. So, once you enter the phone number, the tool scans and retrieves details about the caller. Depending on how advanced its search algorithms are, your phone lookup tool can find the caller’s name, location, carrier, mailing addresses, and more. You can use it to identify unknown callers or potential scams, verify business contacts, or investigate suspicious calls.
You’ll also appreciate that, under Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA), looking up any phone number is permitted. However, the reverse phone lookup service must have received consent to disclose that information. That’s why you should only use reputable services. Be sure to conduct your phone lookup ethically and legitimately.
Top 7 best reverse phone lookups in Canada
Now you know what a reverse cell phone lookup in Canada can achieve. We will talk about the best tools for you. Here, we will discuss the core features, advantages, and limitations of each of these tools.
Canada411
The Canada 411 reverse lookup service is one of the most popular. You’ll love that it allows you to find information about millions of phone numbers, including the owner’s name and address. However, Canada411 lists more details about landline numbers and business listings.
Features
- Reveals the name, city, province, and phone company provider of any phone number.
- Find phone and landline numbers from phone companies like Telus, Bell, and Rogers.
- Search for people by their phone number, name, address, or business name, alongside categories or products/services.
- Search for local businesses by category and name, and view ratings about them.
- Access a feature that lets you search for people or businesses that are near your location.
Pros
- Access a centralised platform for searching phone numbers and business listings.
- Users can find people or businesses near a specific location.
- There’s a mobile app you can install to search for people and businesses whenever you desire.
- Can refine your search by adding details like postal code or specific street address.
Cons
- Canada411 focuses on listed landline numbers. You might not find much on cell phones or unlisted numbers.
- Some information for personal listings may not be current.
- You can’t find phone numbers from independent telephone companies.
Pricing: Free.
Yellowpages
Yellow Pages Canada is also a popular reverse phone directory. It also works like a phone book directory, offering access to local business listings and lots more. Businesses in Canada also use this platform to advertise to their local customers. So, you should be on the lookout for these ads as you search for people or businesses on the platform.
Features
- Search people and businesses by phone number or fax number.
- When there’s no information about the person behind the phone number, Yellow Pages will still offer data about the origin of the phone number, the company provider, and usage.
- Yellow Pages offers insights into phone numbers associated with pranks, telemarketing, debt collectors, and scammers.
Pros
- A free and convenient number lookup tool in Canada to find as much information as possible about any phone number.
- Reliable source for verifying business contact information, including their websites, addresses, and phone numbers.
Cons
- Yellow Pages isn’t always up to date or accurate.
- You still need to verify the businesses associated with any phone number, as spammers can also set up false listings.
- There might be less information about newer Canadian phone numbers.
Pricing: Free for lookup.
LocatePhone
LocatePhone is a global number lookup service that you can also use for Canadian phone numbers. You’ll especially love that it can help screen for potential scams and uncover as many insights as possible. This reverse phone lookup service will find the owner’s name, social media profiles, addresses, and other information you desire.
Features
- Finds the name, email address, social media profiles, and mailing addresses for phone numbers.
- Can offer insights into numbers associated with spam or scam activities.
- Lookup service for both Canadian phone numbers and other phone numbers of individuals worldwide.
Pros
- Offers more detailed reports for deeper background checks than many other phone number lookup services.
- Its spam or scam identification insights are impressive.
- LocatePhone is easy to use, accessible, and affordable.
Cons
- Although quite extensive, it may not find information for every phone number.
- LocatePhone has no free lookup.
Pricing: starts from $0.84 per lookup.
IPQS
IPQS is another fantastic reverse phone number lookup in Canada. This service identifies explicitly the line type, geographic data, and carrier information. It may not be able to find the name and identity associated with that phone number. But it’s a more suitable tool for fraud prevention and verifying users or leads for your business.
Features
- IPQS identifies all information that shows if a number is associated with spam or fraudulent activities.
- Businesses can identify high-risk leads using their lead scoring feature.
- Allows bulk processing of phone numbers, saving time and effort.
Pros
- IPQS makes it easier to validate phone numbers from legitimate people.
- You can do basic lookups for free.
- Excellent for identifying spam and scam numbers.
- Works with U.S and Canadian phone numbers.
Cons
- Sometimes IPQS can flag legitimate numbers as risky.
- IPQS can feel technical to most people.
- It’s primarily created for businesses and developers.
Pricing: 1,000 lookups monthly, paid plans start from $99 per month.
Truecaller
Truecaller is also an excellent reverse cell phone lookup service in Canada, available for free. This tool provides access to an extensive, user-generated database worldwide. What it regularly does is help you find the actual name that others popularly call someone. It’s also best for identifying phone numbers that have been reported as scams or spam.
Features
- Provides an app that works in real time to show the caller’s name and details before you answer.
- Identifies and blocks spam and scam numbers through its community reporting feature.
- Comes with a mobile app that allows call recording, SMS blocking, and more.
Pros
- Truecaller is excellent for identifying telemarketers and spammers.
- Access a global community of users contributing data to ensure up-to-date listings.
- Provide spam statistics and call frequency about specific phone numbers.
- You can use the basic reverse cell phone lookup in Canada for free.
Cons
- Requires installing an app to access its full features.
- Information accuracy isn’t consistent because it depends on contributions by other users.
- Limited information for personal numbers.
Pricing: Free.
ClarityCheck
You can also perform your reverse phone number lookup with Clarity Check. This platform is excellent for identifying unknown callers, finding social media profiles, and addresses. You’ll also love how it can connect the dots on web activities carried out with that phone number, alongside any data leaks as well. What’s more, it’s perfect for looking up both personal and business phone numbers in Canada.
Features
- Great for linking phone numbers to social media profiles.
- Can identify phone numbers through full names and addresses.
- Helps identify phone numbers used by scammers or fraudulent callers.
Pros
- An easy-to-use platform that quickly provides access to all the information you need.
- Access details on any phone number in Canada.
- Access to reverse phone, email, and address lookup in one platform.
Cons
- Their payment model isn’t as transparent, with issues related to refunds and cancellations.
- Information isn’t always accurate or up-to-date.
- Most information requires a subscription fee.
Pricing: 7-day free trial, then $29.99 per week.
Infotracer
Infotracer also makes it easier to look up any phone number in Canada and access remarkable results. With this tool, you can find the owner’s name, email, social media profiles, criminal history, and more. It’s designed for in-depth background checks on any suspicious individuals.
Features
- Comprehensively search any public records for robust insights on any phone number.
- You can easily check criminal records.
- Search by name, phone number, address, or email to locate the information you need
Pros
- Confidentially carry out any lookup for phone numbers in the U.S and Canada.
- When available, you’ll get associated addresses and relatives’ information.
- It’s useful for background checks.
Cons
- Requires paying a subscription fee before seeing results.
- Results can feel overwhelming for simple number lookups.
Pricing: Free lookups, paid plans begin from $24.95
How we choose the Canada phone number lookup
There are numerous reverse phone lookup services in Canada, and not all are created equal. This is why you want to keep these factors in mind when making your selection.
- Information accuracy: Look out for customer reviews and read the fine print about how they gather data. This will help you stick to reverse phone lookup services that can offer a higher degree of accuracy in their reports.
- Supports mobile or landline: Always choose lookup tools that can trace both mobile and landline phone numbers.
- Ease of use: You want to feel as comfortable as possible while performing your phone number lookups. Stick to tools with well-coordinated visuals and prompts that make the process effortless.
- Free vs. paid: Some free services work well for basic lookups. But you should prioritize paid services if you want detailed information when available.
- Customer reviews: Ultimately, verify that they provide more positive outcomes by looking at how people rave about using them.
How to keep your Canada number private
For some people, keeping their phone numbers private and off the list is super important. This is especially if you don’t want people to find it online or avoid unwanted calls. Here are some steps you should take:
- Unlist phone number: First, contact your phone service provider and request that they unlist or unpublish your phone number. This removes it from public directories, such as Canada411 and Yellow Pages.
- Register with the DNCL: Sign up for Canada’s National Do Not Call List (DNCL). When you do this, it would reduce the number of telemarketing calls you get (beginning from 31 days after registration. Note that calls from political parties, polls, charities, and businesses with existing relationships would be exempt.
- Use call-blocking and filtering features: Enable the built-in spam identification and blocking features on your smartphone. You can also use your carrier’s tools, such as Telus Call Control or Bell Call Guardian. There are also reputable third-party apps, such as Truecaller and Hiya, that filter and block suspected spam and scams.
- Consider a Google Voice number: When filling out online forms or signing up on websites, consider using a free Google Voice number. This frees up access to your primary Canadian phone number.
FAQ
Can you Google a Canadian phone number?
Yes, you can input any Canadian phone number into the search bar on Google search to find business listings, links to directory sites, or posts mentioning that phone number. However, due to privacy laws, you’ll need special phone number lookup tools to access detailed information.
How do I know who called me in Canada?
Start with free reverse phone lookup services, such as Canada411, Yellow Pages, and Truecaller. For detailed information, especially on personal and mobile numbers, paid services like LocatePhone offer more.
What is the alternative to Canada 411?
Popular alternatives to Canada411 include Yellow Pages Canada, Truecaller, LocatePhone, Infotracer, and WhitePages. That said, each of these tools has the type of information you can expect, which we have discussed in this article.
Conclusion
Now you know all about the best reverse phone lookups in Canada. These tools will help you find as many insights as possible about any phone number. That way, you can significantly reduce unwanted calls and protect yourself against spammers and scammers. Beyond that, you can take measures to protect the privacy of your phone numbers for more control and peace of mind.
