Reverse phone searches allow you to find the name and address attached to any phone number. There are a variety of reasons why you might want or need to use a reverse phone search, including:

* finding the identity of prank callers.
* finding addresses for friends for whom you only have phone numbers.
* investigating unfamiliar calls on your phone bill or caller ID box.
* finding out who is calling when you get hung up on.

From simple curiosity to stopping obscene or harassing calls, reverse phone searches can be immensely useful. How exactly do they work? Say you miss a call and don't recognize the number. If you are wondering who has called, you can try a free reverse phone search online. You simply type in the unfamiliar number. Free searches typically give you information regarding what city and state the phone is registered in, and if it is a cell or landline. This can help you narrow down the possibilities. If the phone is a landline, you may be able to conduct a white pages search online for the caller's identity.

Many people, however, are giving up their landlines for cell phones. Can you still do a reverse phone search? There are paid sites that are dedicated to providing searches for cell phone numbers. Unlike landline numbers, which are easy to find and organize, cell phone numbers have to be manually collected. This is why these sites have to charge a fee. The ease of use, however, is the same; simply enter in the number. Often, the site will provide city and state information at no charge. For specific address and name information, you have the option to purchase a report for a low fee.

There is no reason to live with uncertainty and not satisfy your curiosity when you receive a call from an unfamiliar number. A reverse phone number lookup is as easy as a few mouse clicks.