You can find out who called you from a mysterious number in Australia by using reverse lookup apps like LocatePhone, Truecaller, or ReverseAustralia. Your social media accounts (such as Facebook or LinkedIn) or a simple Google search can also provide clues. However, it’s essential to note that the most common response for many unknown numbers is often a scam. Australians are frequently bombarded with spoofed calls impersonating trusted entities, such as the ATO, NBN, and Amazon. If you want to learn how to deal with these calls and especially make sure you aren’t missing out on important calls, this guide answers all your questions about “who called me in Australia.”
Why you might get unknown calls?
Scams aren’t the only reason for unknown calls. Other legitimate possibilities can exist, including:
- Telemarketing or sales calls: Businesses you’ve interacted with in the past might decide to reach out to promote their new products or deals to you.
- Delivery or appointment reminders: Clinics or couriers might use unrecognized numbers to remind you of appointments or deliveries en route.
- Wrong numbers or misdials: People may sometimes misdial their loved ones, resulting in calls to your phone number..
- Scam or spam calls pretending to be government or bank officials: Off-course scams are the most common category.
How to find out who called me in Australia
Now you know all the legal reasons, let’s talk about the different practical ways to find out the identity of that mystery caller.
Use the Australia reverse phone lookup
First, use a dedicated reverse lookup service that supports Australian phone numbers. It’s often the best for identifying landlines and business numbers.
RevereAustralia
Reverse Australia is one of the most effective free reverse phone lookup tools for Australian numbers. It’s fantastic at uncovering phone numbers used by local businesses and would find the name of the company alongside an address. You’ll also love that the website allows you to see the results of other people’s searches. Hence, it’s also great for community-generated answers. However, it’s not as reliable for mobile numbers because of privacy laws. Here’s how it works:
- Go to ReverseAustralia
- Type the full number into the search bar.
- Check the results.
LocatePhone
LocatePhone is a robust international reverse phone lookup service designed for both mobile and landline numbers. The platform does a fantastic job of scanning through government databases and social media channels for any information on that phone number. If it’s connected to a business or someone in the public eye, you’ll have the best opportunities to find them. At the very least, you’ll discover their carrier information amongst others. Here’s how it works:
- Go to LocatePhone.
- Pick their country code.
- Enter the full number in the search bar.
- Tap the “Unlock All Results” button.
- Input your email to access an account with the detailed report.
Search +61 number on Google
A quick, universally recommended tactic is to search on Google for that phone number. There’s always a decent chance you’ll find pages or websites where the phone number has been published. A Google search can also direct you to phone numbers on other lookup sites. To use this:
- Start by copying the phone number directly into Google, then hit the search button.
- Try again, but this time use the Australian country code and enclose it in quotes for an exact match.
- If the number is associated with a business, scam report on a community forum, or listed on a website, you’ll see the results.
Social media can be a powerful tool, especially for mobile numbers, as people often link them to their profiles. However, you’ll search using different avenues depending on the social media platform.
On Facebook, you can begin by pasting the phone number in the Facebook search bar. However, the results only occur if the phone number is visible in a post they made. In contrast, if the phone number is on their profile, you won’t find it this way. Instead, a better way to search Facebook is by:
- Save the phone number to your contact list.
- Next, sync your phone numbers to Facebook by opening the Facebook app.
- Go to “Menu” > “Settings & Privacy” > “Settings”
- Then go to “Account Center” and then “See more… “
- “Your Information and permissions” > “Upload contacts”
- Finally, click on “Upload Contacts”
- Toggle on “Contact upload”
- Now, go to your Facebook “People You May Know” and their account will be suggested to you. The downside of this is that if you don’t know their name, you’ll have a hard time deciding who’s on that list.
Facebook is highly effective for identifying business-related calls. If the phone call came from a recruiter or salesperson using their work mobile, the phone number might be listed on their LinkedIn profile. However, if it’s not listed publicly, it would be harder. Here are some tips that can help:
- Type the phone number directly into LinkedIn to see the results.
- Alternatively, install a third-party Chrome extension, such as Kaspr, which will reveal any overlay contact information on LinkedIn profiles.
- If you’re successful, searching would help you find their professional profile.
Use Australian government and carrier resources
If you suspect the phone call was a scam, official channels are your best bet for reporting and confirming. However, you won’t find their name or details if it’s from a personal phone number. Additionally, these platforms rely on others having already reported their experiences.
ACMA Australian Communications and Media Authority
The Australian Communications and Media Authority isn’t a lookup platform. However, you’ll find a variety of resources on the common types of scams that Australians deal with every day. The website also provides several tips on how to report details of spam or scam activity to the authorities. Generally, here’s how you do that:
- Forward SMS spam to 0429 999 888. Ensure that you don’t modify the text or add a comment to it.
- Alternatively, you can forward email spam to report@submit.spam.acma.gov.au. For the email, forwarding helps the government collect the phone number and email address from which the report was forwarded.
ScamWatch
ScamWatch is also a fantastic resource used by Australians. However, you can’t look up phone numbers there. Instead, you can report the number and check if previous alerts from other people match yours. You’ll notice scam patterns in the messages other people add to their reports, such as “fake tax debt” or “NBN support”. To use this:
- Fill the form.
- Review other tips on the platform.
Telstra, Optus, Vodafone
Your carrier won’t tell you who called you. However, if you’ve been receiving persistent calls from that number, it counts as harassment, and they can help you block them. It’s a super-effective way to let service providers flag phone numbers used by spammers or scammers. That way, the carriers can label the phone number as likely a scam to notify future victims.
With a mobile app
Truecaller’s mobile app does a fantastic job of screening your calls in real-time. It relies on data from the carriers, along with complaints others have made in the past. So, if other users have reported or tagged the number, when it calls you, you’ll see labels like “Telemarketing” or “Scam Likely.” To use this:
- Download the Truecaller Mobile app.
- Launch and register a new account.
- You’ll need to enable the service to share your contacts and phone book with the Truecaller app.
- Once calls come in, the app will attempt to look for information about its owner.
Tips to prevent unwanted calls
Now that we’ve talked about the most practical toolkit you need to identify who the mystery caller is, let’s talk about how you can reduce unwanted calls. Note that you can’t entirely get rid of them. However, you can take charge to minimize your accessibility to spammers and scammers.
Register on the Do Not Call Register
The first step is to register your phone number on the Australian Do Not Call Register. This legally stops telemarketers from contacting you. But note that it won’t stop scammers.
Use the call blocking feature
Consider activating the built-in call-blocking feature on your iOS or Android phone. The feature would automatically send unknown contacts to voicemail. That way, you aren’t entirely blocking them out and can always check your voicemail to avoid missing opportunities.
Keep your number private
Avoid listing your phone number publicly on social media forums, profiles, or any other online platform. You should also exercise caution about the online stories and services you use. Data breaches can lead to your details being sold to scammers.
FAQ
Can I trace a private or hidden number?
No, you can’t trace a private or hidden phone number. When a phone number displays “Private Number”, you won’t have any information; you can look it up elsewhere. The privacy feature is also built into telecom networks. Only law enforcement can obtain the details from the phone service provider.
How can I identify a spam call in Australia?
Most spam callers claim that you have unpaid tax debts, NBN technical issues, or Amazon Prime renewals. They would then ask for sensitive details or request that you click a link. Typically, the phone number would appear as a local “neighborhood” number that resembles your own. You can also use apps like LocatePhone, Truecaller, or ScamWatch to find any real-time complaints and insights about the spammer.
Does *69 work in Australia?
No, the *69 call return code is not a standard service in Australia. If you miss a call, you can only use the methods we’ve outlined in this guide. Always consider starting by looking up the phone number in reverse and checking your voicemail.
What if I answer a spam call and respond with ‘hello’?
Simply saying “Hello” can be enough to flag your number as “active” for the scammer’s automated system. This would lead to more scam calls, each becoming as innovative and sophisticated as possible. The best practice is not answering at all. And if you do answer, hang up immediately without pressing any buttons or providing any information.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, we often face the dilemma of who called you in Australia. However, with the methods we’ve talked about and smart habits, you can minimize unwanted calls. Use reverse lookup tools like LocatePhone, leverage community knowledge, and stay informed about the various systems scammers use. With that, you can regain control over your phone and avoid falling victim to scams or spam.
