7 Best Websites to Perform Background Check by Phone Number

Running a background check by phone number has become a standard safety practice for parents and smartphone users alike. Unknown callers flood our phones daily, and about 33% of Americans report receiving scam calls at least once a week.

A background search service can tell you who’s calling before you pick up and whether that caller deserves your attention or should be blocked. 

These tools pull data from public records, social media, and telecom databases to give you a clear picture of the person behind the number. Here are seven services that I’ve tested and found reliable.

What Information Can You Get From a Phone Number Background Check

A background phone number check can reveal more than just a name. Most services scan public databases, court records, and online profiles to compile detailed reports. 

The amount of information you get depends on the service you choose and whether the number has a digital footprint.

Here’s what you can find with a reverse phone lookup:

• Owner’s full name and any known aliases
• Current and past residential addresses
• Email addresses linked to the phone number
• Social media profiles and online accounts
• Carrier information and phone type (mobile, landline, VoIP)
• Relatives and known associates
• Criminal records and court documents (on premium plans)

This information helps you decide who to let into your life through your phone.

7 Best Websites to Perform Background Check by Phone Number

I tested each of these services by running the same phone numbers through their systems and comparing the results. Some work better for basic caller ID, while others dig deeper into public records. 

1. Searqle

Searqle stands out as a strong option for anyone who needs a fast background check phone number service. The platform works with over 500 million phone records and delivers results within seconds. 

You enter the number, hit search, and get a report that may include the owner’s name, location, email, and even criminal records on higher-tier plans.

Pros:

• Clean interface that first-time users can figure out quickly
• Reports include social media profiles and associated addresses
• $0.99 three-day trial gives full access to test the service

Cons:

• Works only with US phone numbers

Best for: Parents who want detailed reports on unknown callers contacting their family, and anyone verifying online dates or new acquaintances.

2. TrueCaller

TrueCaller has built a database of over 400 million users who contribute caller information to the platform. 

When someone calls you, TrueCaller checks the number against its database and displays the caller’s name before you answer. This background check number lookup works in the background on both Android and iOS devices.

Pros:

• Free version includes caller ID and spam blocking
• Real-time identification of incoming calls
• Web interface available for lookups without the app

Cons:

• Requires sharing your contact list to use the app
• Name accuracy depends on how contacts are saved in other users’ phones
• Premium features start at $9.99/month

Best for: Everyday spam blocking and quick caller identification on mobile devices.

3. NumLookup

NumLookup offers a background check using phone number service that’s completely free for basic searches. You don’t need to create an account or enter payment information to get the owner’s name.

Pros:

• Free owner name lookup with no registration
• Shows carrier information and phone type
• Searches are anonymous and not stored

Cons:

• US phone numbers only
• VoIP and Google Voice numbers often return limited data
• Information may be outdated for numbers that changed owners

Best for: Quick, free lookups when you just need a name and don’t want to pay for a full report.

4. SpyDialer

SpyDialer is different because it lets you hear the voicemail greeting that goes with a phone number. This gives you a sense of who’s on the other end. Think of it as a free background search phone number because it supports up to 50 free searches per day.

Pros:

• Voicemail preview feature verifies the number owner
• No account or registration required
• Works with cell phones, landlines, and email addresses

Cons:

• Full details sometimes redirect to paid partner sites
• US-only coverage
• Basic information without deep background data

Best for: Verifying whether a number belongs to a real person before calling back.

5. Whitepages Reverse Phone

Whitepages has been around since the days of printed phone books and now runs one of the biggest online directories. Their reverse phone lookup service includes more than 275 million people and 200 million landlines. The service has both free basic searches and paid premium reports that include all the background information.

Pros:

• Massive database built over decades
• Free app for iOS and Android
• Premium reports include criminal records and property data

Cons:

• Free version shows only partial information
• Premium plans cost $4.99/month for 20 lookups
• Some users report outdated contact information

Best for: Users who need a trusted, established service with deep background check options.

6. That’sThem Phone Lookup

That’sThem updates its data monthly from more than 50 sources. You can run a background check using only phone number without creating an account or paying anything.

Pros:

• Completely free for individual searches
• No registration or credit card needed
• Returns name, address, email, and user comments about the caller

Cons:

• No criminal background information
• Data accuracy varies depending on how recently the number was updated
• Limited to US and Canadian numbers

Best for: Free contact lookups when you need basic information about an unknown caller.

7. CocoFinder Reverse Lookup

CocoFinder connects to public records from all 50 states and returns detailed reports within minutes. The platform offers phone lookup, people search, and background checks through a single interface. A background check number lookup here can reveal the owner’s name, past addresses, relatives, and associated email accounts.

Pros:

• Free preview of search results before paying
• Searches are anonymous and not logged
• Reports include photos and social media when available

Cons:

• Full reports require a subscription
• Works better for urban areas than rural locations
• Not authorized for employment or tenant screening

Best for: Parents checking on their children’s contacts and anyone who needs detailed reports with photo verification.

How to Run a Phone Number Background Check (Step-by-Step Guide)

I’ll show you how to background search phone number using Searqle, since it offers detailed reports and a simple three-step workflow. The same steps apply to most services on this list.

1. Go to Searqle’s Phone Lookup page. Open your browser and visit searqle.io/phone-lookup. You’ll see a search bar at the top of the page.
2. Enter the phone number. Type the 10-digit number including the area code. Include the country code if you’re searching an international number on services that support it.
3. Click Search and wait for results. Searqle scans its database of public records and returns matches within seconds. You’ll see a preview of available information.
4. Review the report. The report may include the owner’s full name, current address, email addresses, social media profiles, and associated people. Premium subscribers can also access criminal records and court documents.
5. Take action based on findings. If the caller looks legitimate, you can return the call. If red flags appear, you can block the number or report it as spam.

Tips to Determine the Best Phone Number Background Check Service

Not all reverse lookup services work the same way, and the best one for you will depend on what you need. Before you choose a background phone number check, think about these things:

• Look at the size of the database. Services with bigger databases usually give more accurate results. Look for platforms that get their information from many sources and update their records once a month.
• Understand what’s free vs. paid. Most services offer free basic lookups that show a name and location. Detailed reports with criminal records and social media usually require payment.
• Look over the policy for cancellations. A lot of services automatically renew after a trial period. If you only need one search, set a reminder to cancel. Otherwise, choose pay-per-report options.
• Check the area that is covered. Most services only work with US phone numbers. TrueCaller works in more countries than the other apps if you need to look up people in other countries.
• Think about privacy. Find out if the service keeps track of your searches or shares your information with other companies. You and the person you’re looking up are both safe when you do an anonymous search.

FAQ

Conclusion

The seven services covered here range from completely free options like NumLookup and That’sThem to paid platforms like Searqle and Whitepages that offer criminal records and social media tracking.

Start with a free background check number lookup to see if you can identify the caller without spending money. 

When you need deeper information about someone your child is communicating with or a caller who raises concerns, paid reports from Searqle or Whitepages give you the complete picture.

Choose the service that matches your needs. Free tools work for occasional checks, while subscriptions make sense if you run regular searches for your family’s safety or personal verification.