Spies Online Quick Finder

Telephone Searches and Tools

• AnyWho
  This directory service is provided by AT&T.

• Argali
  You can download and use this ad-supported telephone directory service for free. Private investigators love it!

• Bigfoot Directories
  Lots of directories here.

• CallTheFuture.org
  From the site: "This tool dials a phone number and a computer voice reads off the text. The receiving phone number shows up as the CallerID field. You can set the time to any point in the future, or you can leave the time to now and it will call immediately."

• Company And Telephone Directories
  RBA Information Services provides this nice worldwide directory compiled by Karen Blakeman.

• Craig's Number
  Ever need a quick temporary call back # and want to remain fairly anonymous? Check this out.

• Directory Assistanceplus
  This site offers some very useful searches and reverse searches.

• Free411.com
  You can search by web or phone. To search by phone, dial 1-800-FREE411 when looking for a number; the call is free. Why not save money?

• GetHuman.com
  If you're tired of getting nothing but a computer when you make a phone call and really need to talk to a human, you'll love this database.

• Google Text Messaging Service
  Now you can use Google to send text messages. All you have to do is enter a cell phone number and a service provider. Then just enter your message and click send. From Google's FAQ on this: "When you send a message using Google Send to Phone, Google will receive and log the IP address [?] and one or more cookies from the computer you are using, as well as information about the mobile phone you are sending to, including the phone's telephone number and carrier. In addition, we might also log the text of the message you send, in order to investigate and correct technical problems with the service."

• Infobel International Directory
  This directory has information and services for over 184 countries.

• Infospace
  Here's another popular online directory.

• Ithaca College: How Can You Find Anything on the World Wide Web?
  This page has links to many phone directories and hints on how to use them.

• oh, don't forget...
  This service may be used to send yourself (or anyone) a reminder text message.

• Reverse Phone Directory
  You'll love this directory. Find out to whom a phone number belongs. Put in someone's street name, city, state and zip code and find out all of their nearby neighbors. Some of the other directories have these features, too, but the name of this site is so easy to remember!

• Search Bug
  Use this telephone directory to search for people or companies by name, address or telephone number; there are also many other searches.

• Searchbug's Landline Or Cellular Search
  From Searchbug: "Verify if a phone number is a cellular/mobile number or a landline number. The tool also reports telco carrier and location name/code. Works for US only. Enter Area Code and the first 3 digits (Prefix) of the number you would like to check."

• Skipsmasher
  Here's the place where pros get hard-to-find numbers and information.

• SuperPages
  This free online directory service is provided by Verizon.

• Switchboard
  Here's another digital directory.

• WhitePages
  In spite of its name, this site provides free telephone directory searches for persons or businesses.

• WhoWhere
  Lycos provides this source for free telephone directory searches.

• Yellow Book
  Here's yet another source for free, online telephone directory searches.

• The Payphone Project
  This is an online source for payphone information.

• Unlisted Phone Numbers
  For a fee, get them here.

• MelissaData's Find Info. About A Phone Number
  Enter a 10-digit phone number and find out the city, state, zip, time zone, county name and more. Enter a 7-digit number, and find out a list of possible area codes, cities and states. Enter a 6-digit area code and prefix and the location will be displayed. Enter a 3-digit area code for a list of the primary cities served by the area code. Enter a city name for a list of possible area codes and prefix combinations. Click here for even more interesting lookups.

• (MS)ISDN Number Analysis
  Analyze any telphone number in the world, and learn the origin of the phone service! This utility is useful, for example, in pinpointing a location when you have a number but not an address. It provides the name of the city or town but not the street address of the owner. For best results, enter the number in international format (explained on the search page).

• Phone Validator
  Here you may enter a phone number and find out if it is a cell phone or a landline. It also gives you information about the phone company and phone location.

• Spoofcard
  This site offers caller ID spoofing and voice changing services. Be sure to check out applicable laws in your area before utilizing such a service.

• Spooftel
  This site offers a service where you can call someone and make it look like you are calling from a different phone number. Be aware that there may be laws governing the use of such services, and you should find out what they are in your area.

• Telespoof
  Here's another caller ID spoofing service that purports to allow "business professionals to remain anonymous when calling from anywhere in the world, to anywhere in the world." Again, be aware of applicable laws in your area before using such a service.

Articles

• Wireless Recycling
  Find out how to safely erase the data from your cell phone before you give it away, throw it away or whatever! Just select your phone manufacturer and your phone model, and click on the download instructions box to get instructions!

• Twenty Five Little Known Telephone Tips for Private Investigators
  The legendary Ralph Thomas shares some of his secrets about things you might never have guessed you can do by merely using your telephone.

• TELEPHONE CORNER: Telco Q&A for private investigators
  Here's an interesting article, directed primarily at PIs and skiptracers, by Michele Yontef.

• A Practical Guide to Taping Phone Calls and In-Person Conversations in the 50 States and D.C.
  Find out the rules for taping phone calls. Remember that it is always wise to check out your particular situation with your own attorney.

• Bell Telephone Star Codes
  This list may come in handy.

• Private Investigator Support Services
  This site provides a tutorial on trap lines, blind lines and other techniques used to find that hard-to-locate person.

• Alameda County, Ca. DA Office Telephone Record Info.
  This page provides some interesting information about telephone records.

• Cell Phone Fraud
  This FCC advisory gives information about cell phone cloning.

• Getting Local Called Phone Records Legally
  Be sure to download and read this article by telephone expert, Michele Yontef.

Know of a site that belongs on this list? Contact Spies Online.