(2024) TextNow Number Lookup: Find out Who Owns an Anonymous TextNow Number
Easy methods and tools to trace anonymous TextNow calls and messages safely.
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TextNow is a hit with over 100 million users around the USA and Canada, thanks to its affordable phone service. But with great popularity comes… weird calls, spam texts, and even the occasional creepy impersonation story on forums like Reddit. Sound familiar? Don’t worry—you’re not the only one dealing with this.
Instead of taking the risky route of confronting the sender directly, let’s talk about some safer, smarter ways to figure out who’s behind that mysterious TextNow number. Whether it’s a scam, spam, or just plain curiosity, we’ve got your back with methods that are worth a shot.
Are TextNow numbers hard to trace? (and when you might get lucky)
Trying to trace a TextNow number isn’t exactly like tracking a regular phone number. TextNow runs entirely over the Internet, just like other VoIP services, it offers users a lot more flexibility and privacy. However, this also makes it trickier to track down. Here’s why it can be more challenging to look up a TextNow phone number:
- Unlike traditional phone numbers, which are often linked to a specific address or cell tower, VoIP numbers operate over the Internet. TextNow users can select any area code from the United States or Canada, regardless of their actual location, making it hard to know where they’re really based. This is what makes TextNow especially popular with people looking for more flexible or anonymous communication.
- VoIP numbers are not registered to a central database with connections to the carrier and sometimes a physical address. It means they’re not as easy to look up through standard databases. Calls and messages happen entirely over the Internet, so there’s no physical line that connects them back to a real-world location.
- Because all communication takes place online, TextNow users can often maintain a high level of anonymity. This setup makes it simpler for people to remain anonymous or untraceable, which can be convenient for privacy but frustrating for those on the receiving end of unwanted contact.
- Textnow number can be reassigned. If a user stops using their number or signs in on a new device, that number can easily be reassigned to another user.
Situations where traces might exist
- Accumulated digital footprint: If the TextNow number has been used frequently on websites, apps, or other services, it may leave a trail. Sometimes, people use VoIP numbers to register for social media, messaging apps, or other online accounts, which can create digital footprints that connect the number to specific profiles.
- Business listings: Some companies use VoIP numbers for customer support or other business purposes, and these may be publicly listed on websites or directories, making it easier to identify the business owner.
- Connections with personal data: If a user has linked the TextNow number to an email address, username, or other personal data, cross-referencing with people search engines or social platforms could yield some insights.
In the next section, we’ll introduce the most effective method as well as some other tricks that we’ve found through research and testing to help you identify a TextNow number!
How to look up an anonymous TextNow number
We’ve tested various methods suggested by forums and online posts for looking up a TextNow number. But let’s be honest—not every of them works well. If you’re eager to get answers, what you probably need are practical, effective ways that actually have a chance of working. That’s why we’re starting with one of the most dependable approaches: using reverse phone number lookup tools.
🏆 The more effective way:
Cross-reference on reverse phone number lookup tools
Reverse phone lookup services, usually offered by people search engines, are like little data detectives. They gather, compare, and match indexed info from public sources and social network data. These tools process vast amounts of data behind the scenes, yet they’re user-friendly. All you need to do is enter the phone number—whether it’s a landline, mobile, or VoIP like TextNow—and you may uncover valuable details about its owner. Just think of it as reversing the process of a phone book or directory to trace the caller.
Option 1: BeenVerified
- How It works: BeenVerified searches billions of phone data points and telecom records, providing detailed reports that include personal and business numbers. It also flags possible spam numbers. In our tests, most TextNow numbers returned results, though the level of detail in owner information varied.
- Extra features: Besides phone lookups, it offers other search types like background checks, email lookups, username searches, and even vehicle lookups. These features can help you gather more information about someone in various aspects of your daily life.
- Subscription plan: $23.98/month for access to seven search types and a 100-search monthly quota.
Option 2: Intelius
- How It works: Founded in 2003, Intelius collects data from public records and social networks. It scans for information like owner details, carrier info, social media profiles, and addresses linked to the phone number.
While its success rate for TextNow numbers was slightly lower than BeenVerified, the reports it generated often included more detailed information when successful. - Subscription plan: $35.30/month for unlimited phone number lookups.
Option 3: Free caller ID lookup tools
How It works: For a cost-effective approach, supplement paid tools with free caller ID lookup services like CallerID Test or FreeCallerLookup. These tools provide basic information such as the caller’s name, phone provider, and the state represented by the area code.
Limitations: Free tools often have weaker capabilities with VoIP numbers like TextNow and may return limited or no results. However, they can still be a useful starting point for traditional phone numbers or as a quick way to cross-check basic details.
Comparison of tools
| Tool | Cost | Features | Limitations |
| BeenVerified | $23.98/month | – 7 search types – 100 monthly lookups – Generally reliable for VoIP numbers | Not all reports include detailed owner info |
| Intelius | $35.30/month | – Unlimited lookups – Often detailed results when successful | Slightly lower success rate with TextNow numbers |
| Free tools | Free or limited | – Basic caller ID info – Useful for quick checks | – Weak for VoIP numbers – Limited data available |
By using a mix of these tools, you may get a better shot at figuring out who’s behind that anonymous TextNow number. You can start with the paid options for the juicy details, and then use the free tools to double-check and back up what you find.
Other ways you can give a shot
If the more effective methods don’t quite work out or you’ve got some extra time, there are a few other ways you can try. These approaches might have lower success rates, but they’re still worth a shot.
1. Google the TextNow number
While TextNow numbers are virtual and less likely to show up in traditional directories, you might still uncover something useful if the number is tied to business marketing, a scam, or has been flagged online.
Here are some tips to optimize your search:
- Enclose the number in quotation marks to look for exact matches (e.g., “123-456-7890”).
- Try different formats for the number, like 123-456-7890 or (123)-456-7890.
- If you suspect the number might be linked to scams, add relevant keywords to your search, such as “123-456-7890 scam” or “123-456-7890 fraud complaint.”
- Don’t limit yourself to Google—try other search engines like Bing or DuckDuckGo, which may index unique results.
2. Use Spydialer for voicemail lookup
TextNow offers a voicemail service, and some users may have it enabled. Spydialer can sometimes access a number’s voicemail greeting, which might not give you a name directly but could reveal the caller’s voice. If it’s someone you know—like a prank caller or an acquaintance—you might recognize them right away.
3. Sync the number on social media
You might already know that if a TextNow number goes unused for a while, it gets reassigned. To prevent this, some users opt for the Lock-in Number add-on, often because they use the number as a contact for their social media or business accounts.
This means you can try syncing the number with social media platforms to see if any profiles are linked to it. While many services—like cash apps or messaging platforms—don’t allow virtual numbers for registration, some social media platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, still do.
FAQs
Yes, reverse phone lookup tools are legal because they gather information from publicly available sources. However, it’s crucial to use the information responsibly and follow privacy laws to avoid any legal or ethical issues.
This method is generally unreliable. If the person uses a VPN, the IP address would only show the VPN server’s location, not the user’s actual whereabouts.
Getting harassing or scam calls is never fun, but don’t worry—here are a few steps you can take:
– Block the number: First things first, text#STOPto the number. It’s a simple step to stop them from messaging or calling you through TextNow.
– Report it to TextNow: If blocking isn’t enough, send an email to abuse@textnow.com. Include the number and any relevant details—like screenshots or descriptions of the calls or messages.
– Take it to the authorities if needed: If things get really out of hand, like repeated harassment or threats, don’t hesitate to involve your local law enforcement. TextNow has a policy of cooperating with authorities, so they can help if needed.
Wrapping it up
That’s everything we’ve got for you in this post! We’ve covered both tested, effective methods and a few additional approaches that might take a bit more time but are still worth a shot.
While TextNow’s nature as a VoIP number service makes tracking down the owner a bit trickier than traditional phone numbers, it’s not impossible. With the methods shared here, you may get clues to help you figure out whether that mysterious call or text is legitimate—and decide your next steps.
If you’ve tried any of these methods (or even discovered some new tricks of your own), we’d love to hear about it! Feel free to share your experiences or ask any questions in the comments below. Your insights could help others in the same situation.
Good luck, and we hope this guide helps you take control of those puzzling TextNow numbers!
There’s no guarantee you’ll find the information you’re looking for with the tools discussed in this article. They all source their information from publicly available data sources, such as county, state and federal courts, government departments, and police records, and those sources may contain incorrect or incomplete data. It’s illegal to use these tools to make decisions about employment, admission, consumer credit, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance. Read the Fair Credit Reporting Act to learn more....
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