Scams aren\u2019t the only reason for unknown calls. Other legitimate possibilities can exist, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Telemarketing or sales calls<\/strong>: Businesses you\u2019ve interacted with in the past might decide to reach out to promote their new products or deals to you. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Delivery or appointment reminders: <\/strong>Clinics or couriers might use unrecognized numbers to remind you of appointments or deliveries en route.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Wrong numbers or misdials:<\/strong> People may sometimes misdial their loved ones, resulting in calls to your phone number..<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Scam or spam calls pretending to be government or bank officials<\/strong>: Off-course scams are the most common category. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How to find out who called me in Australia<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now you know all the legal reasons, let\u2019s talk about the different practical ways to find out the identity of that mystery caller. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use the Australia reverse phone lookup<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
First, use a dedicated reverse lookup service that supports Australian phone numbers. It\u2019s often the best for identifying landlines and business numbers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
RevereAustralia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reverse Australia<\/a> is one of the most effective free reverse phone lookup tools for Australian numbers. It\u2019s fantastic at uncovering phone numbers used by local businesses and would find the name of the company alongside an address. You\u2019ll also love that the website allows you to see the results of other people\u2019s searches. Hence, it\u2019s also great for community-generated answers. However, it\u2019s not as reliable for mobile numbers because of privacy laws. Here\u2019s how it works:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Go to ReverseAustralia <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Type the full number into the search bar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.trackercellphone.com\/tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/enter-number-in-reverseaustralia-site-1024x411.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Check the results.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.trackercellphone.com\/tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/check-results-of-caller-1024x496.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLocatePhone<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
LocatePhone is a robust international reverse phone lookup service<\/a> 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\u2019s connected to a business or someone in the public eye, you\u2019ll have the best opportunities to find them. At the very least, you\u2019ll discover their carrier information amongst others. Here\u2019s how it works:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Go to LocatePhone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Pick their country code.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Enter the full number in the search bar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.trackercellphone.com\/tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/search-australia-phone-number-in-locatephone-1024x554.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Tap the \u201cUnlock All Results\u201d button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.trackercellphone.com\/tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/create-account-to-unlock-full-report.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Input your email to access an account with the detailed report. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Search +61 number on Google<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A quick, universally recommended tactic is to search on Google for that phone number. There\u2019s always a decent chance you\u2019ll 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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Start by copying the phone number directly into Google, then hit the search button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.trackercellphone.com\/tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/search-61-number-on-google.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Try again, but this time use the Australian country code and enclose it in quotes for an exact match.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.trackercellphone.com\/tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/add-australian-country-code-for-better-result.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- If the number is associated with a business, scam report on a community forum, or listed on a website, you\u2019ll see the results. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Check social media<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Social media can be a powerful tool, especially for mobile numbers, as people often link them to their profiles. However, you\u2019ll search using different avenues depending on the social media platform. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Facebook<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019t find it this way. Instead, a better way to search Facebook is by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Save the phone number to your contact list.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Next, sync your phone numbers to Facebook by opening the Facebook app.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Go to \u201cMenu\u201d > \u201cSettings & Privacy\u201d > \u201cSettings\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.trackercellphone.com\/tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/facebook-settings-473x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Then go to \u201cAccount Center\u201d and then \u201cSee more\u2026 \u201c<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.trackercellphone.com\/tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/check-see-more-473x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- \u201cYour Information and permissions\u201d > \u201cUpload contacts\u201d <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.trackercellphone.com\/tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/upload-contacts-473x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Finally, click on \u201cUpload Contacts\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Toggle on \u201cContact upload\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.trackercellphone.com\/tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/enable-contact-upload-473x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Now, go to your Facebook \u201cPeople You May Know\u201d and their account will be suggested to you. The downside of this is that if you don\u2019t know their name, you\u2019ll have a hard time deciding who\u2019s on that list.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Linkedin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s not listed publicly, it would be harder. Here are some tips that can help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Type the phone number directly into LinkedIn to see the results.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.trackercellphone.com\/tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/search-australia-number-on-linkedin.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Alternatively, install a third-party Chrome extension, such as Kaspr,<\/a> which will reveal any overlay contact information on LinkedIn profiles. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.trackercellphone.com\/tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/kaspr-1024x532.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- If you\u2019re successful, searching would help you find their professional profile.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Use Australian government and carrier resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you suspect the phone call was a scam, official channels are your best bet for reporting and confirming. However, you won\u2019t find their name or details if it\u2019s from a personal phone number. Additionally, these platforms rely on others having already reported their experiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
ACMA Australian Communications and Media Authority<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Australian Communications and Media Authority isn\u2019t a lookup platform. However, you\u2019ll 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\u2019s how you do that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Forward SMS spam to 0429 999 888. Ensure that you don\u2019t modify the text or add a comment to it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 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. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
ScamWatch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
ScamWatch is also a fantastic resource used by Australians. However, you can\u2019t look up phone numbers there. Instead, you can report the number and check if previous alerts from other people match yours. You\u2019ll notice scam patterns in the messages other people add to their reports, such as \u201cfake tax debt\u201d or \u201cNBN support\u201d. To use this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Go to ScamWatch\u2019s \u201cReport a scam\u201d section<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.trackercellphone.com\/tips\/wp-content\/uploads\/scamwatch-site-1024x504.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Fill the form.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Review other tips on the platform.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Telstra, Optus, Vodafone<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your carrier won\u2019t tell you who called you. However, if you\u2019ve been receiving persistent calls from that number, it counts as harassment, and they can help you block them. It\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With a mobile app<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Truecaller\u2019s 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 \u201cTelemarketing\u201d or \u201cScam Likely.\u201d To use this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Download the Truecaller Mobile app.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Launch and register a new account.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You\u2019ll need to enable the service to share your contacts and phone book with the Truecaller app.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Once calls come in, the app will attempt to look for information about its owner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Tips to prevent unwanted calls<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now that we\u2019ve talked about the most practical toolkit you need to identify who the mystery caller is, let\u2019s talk about how you can reduce unwanted calls. Note that you can\u2019t entirely get rid of them. However, you can take charge to minimize your accessibility to spammers and scammers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Register on the Do Not Call Register<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- Go to ScamWatch\u2019s \u201cReport a scam\u201d section<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- If you\u2019re successful, searching would help you find their professional profile.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Alternatively, install a third-party Chrome extension, such as Kaspr,<\/a> which will reveal any overlay contact information on LinkedIn profiles. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Type the phone number directly into LinkedIn to see the results.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Now, go to your Facebook \u201cPeople You May Know\u201d and their account will be suggested to you. The downside of this is that if you don\u2019t know their name, you\u2019ll have a hard time deciding who\u2019s on that list.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \u201cYour Information and permissions\u201d > \u201cUpload contacts\u201d <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Then go to \u201cAccount Center\u201d and then \u201cSee more\u2026 \u201c<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- If the number is associated with a business, scam report on a community forum, or listed on a website, you\u2019ll see the results. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Try again, but this time use the Australian country code and enclose it in quotes for an exact match.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Start by copying the phone number directly into Google, then hit the search button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Input your email to access an account with the detailed report. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Tap the \u201cUnlock All Results\u201d button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Check the results.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Delivery or appointment reminders: <\/strong>Clinics or couriers might use unrecognized numbers to remind you of appointments or deliveries en route.<\/li>\n\n\n\n