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Best Overall Reverse Phone Lookup Site
Best Free Reverse Phone Lookup Sites of 2026
Reverse phone lookup sites allow you to enter a phone number and get information associated with it, based either on public records or user-submitted information. These services can be particularly useful when you need to identify who called you, whether it's a missed call from an unknown number, a business trying to reach you, or a potential scammer you want to avoid.
Free reverse lookup tools are best for basic identification and pattern spotting, but results can vary by number type and data source. Spoofing can make any lookup tool less reliable, because the displayed number may not be the caller's real number.
Overall summary
Ranking
Our partner
Customer Ratings
Known for
Ad
2
Best for Voicemail Preview
3
Best for Nuanced Ownership Information
4
Best for Associated Contacts
5
Best for Advanced Call-Blocking Features
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Service | Free owner name | Spam label | Line type | Location shown | Recent user comments | Requires signup | Notable limits |
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Offers basic results; links to partner services for expanded reports. | ||||||
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Offers basic results; links to partner services for expanded reports. | ||||||
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Spam labeling is limited or not included; links to partner services for expanded reports. | ||||||
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Spam labeling is limited or not included; links to partner services for expanded reports. | ||||||
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Free tier is ad-supported; advanced features are part of paid plans. |
Our Top Picks for Best Reverse Phone Number Lookup Services and Sites
1
Best Overall Reverse Phone Lookup Site
Pros
- Includes recent user-submitted spam/fraud reports
- Offers additional details beyond name, carrier and line type
- May provide associated email addresses, when available
- Can include property information and history
Cons
- Limited third-party review coverage
Why it made the list: USPhoneBook includes a feature that lets users anonymously report spam and scam calls. Other users can then browse these comments, which are time-stamped, when conducting a reverse phone search to provide additional context about a number. As a people search site, the tool also offers basic public record details for the person associated with a number, when available.
Access without a paid plan
USPhoneBook states it covers over 2 billion phone numbers. In our tests, it performed more consistently with personal numbers than business numbers. Users can search by name, phone, or address and obtain general details on any person associated with the information provided, when public records data is available.
Information from public records can include (when available): the person's full name and age, current and previous addresses (with property details and history), known associates and family members, education and occupation (fields may be partially masked in some cases), and associated email addresses.
Paid features
Although USPhoneBook is free for the basic details mentioned above, it partners with several other paid people-search sites to offer full background reports. These reports may include additional public records, marriage and divorce records, and financial records, such as bankruptcies and liens.
Reputation
Third-party review coverage is limited for USPhoneBook. BBB records show the site is not accredited and has relatively few complaints compared to similar services. The company responds to complaints on the BBB website.
2
Best for Voicemail Preview
Pros
- Feature allows you to hear a phone's voicemail
- Allows you to view and make call reports
- Includes spam scores based on user reports
Cons
- No profile on Trustpilot or the BBB
- Email search was not functional during our testing
Why it made the list: SpyDialer lets you listen to a phone number's voicemail greeting without actually calling them, which can help you verify whether a number belongs to someone you know or is legitimate. The service also includes names, general locations, carrier names, line types, and spam scores based on user reports.
Access without a paid plan
SpyDialer is completely free and doesn't require signup for basic searches. Enter a phone number, and you'll see available information, including the owner's name (when available), associated city, and a spam risk score based on user reports. You can also view and submit call reports to help other users identify spam or scam numbers, include comments about your experience, view the search history for that number on the site, and see whether it has received FCC complaints.
The site's voicemail feature sets it apart from other free reverse phone lookups. The system places a real call to the number you're searching in an attempt to connect to its voicemail system so you can hear the recording. While we couldn't test it with every number type, we found it to be functional in our testing. The email search feature, however, did not return results during our tests.
Paid features
SpyDialer itself doesn't offer paid tiers, though the site includes advertisements and links to partner site Intelius, which offers more detailed reports for a fee.
Reputation
SpyDialer has limited visibility on major review platforms. At the time of review, we did not find active profiles on the BBB or Trustpilot.
3
Best for Nuanced Ownership Information
Pros
- Showed more nuanced ownership information
- Provides access to fairly detailed property data
- May include associated email addresses
- Covers people in the U.S. as well as U.S. territories
Cons
- Doesn't include spam or scam labels
- Higher BBB complaint volume than some peers
- Trustpilot rating of 1.9 out of 5
Why it made the list: TruePeopleSearch stands out from other free tools by providing more property details and showing more nuanced phone ownership information. It was the only service we tested that was able to accurately identify a phone owner whose number was part of a family plan and listed under a different account holder. Its database is also extensive, including individuals from the U.S. as well as U.S. territories.
Access without a paid plan
While reports do not include spam or scam labels, and the system wasn't able to correctly identify the business numbers we tested, it returned a substantial amount of information about individual phone owners during our testing.
Reports may include the name and age of the person behind a number as well as their past and current addresses, alternate phone numbers, possible relatives and associates, education and employment data (no blurred details), and detailed property information (when available), including price history, tax assessment history, and school district details.
Paid features
While the service is free, it includes links to paid background reports on partner sites. Paid reports may include police records, search warrants, marriage and divorce records, and other public records data.
Reputation
TruePeopleSearch has a B rating with the Better Business Bureau and has received 250 complaints over the past 3 years, with 60 closed in the past 12 months. On Trustpilot, the site holds a 1.9 out of 5-star rating based on 26 reviews, with many reviews focused on removing personal information from the site.
4
Best for Associated Contacts
Pros
- May show past number owners and property residents
- May include associated contacts
- Covers people in the U.S. as well as U.S. territories
Cons
- Doesn't include spam or scam labels
- Higher BBB complaint volume than some peers
- 2.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot
Why it made the list: FastPeopleSearch is another solid free tool for searching phone numbers. The site can provide details such as past number owners, their aliases, potential relatives and associates, property details, and past residents. It also has a broad database that includes individuals from the U.S. as well as U.S. territories.
Access without a paid plan
As a free tool, FastPeopleSearch offers the details mentioned above, including the person associated with a phone number, their names and aliases, current home address and past addresses, potential relatives, and property details. In our tests, the site correctly identified past number owners and past residents. It was less consistent in identifying business numbers, and it does not offer spam or scam labels or user reports.
Paid features
Like similar search tools, FastPeopleSearch partners with paid sites that offer more detailed background reports on number owners. These paid sites include TruthFinder, BeenVerified, and Spokeo. Paid reports from these sites may include additional information such as criminal records and court documents.
Reputation
FastPeopleSearch has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau website. The company does respond to complaints promptly, but has received a comparatively high number of them, 294 over the last three years, with 53 closed in the past 12 months.
On Trustpilot, it has a 2.6 out of 5-star rating based on a limited number of reviews, with recurring complaints about the opt-out and listing update process.
5
Best for Advanced Call-Blocking Features
Pros
- Community-based caller data from 450M+ users
- Shows caller name, city, and spam or fraud indicators
- Automatic spam blocking is available with paid plans
- AI call-screening feature for incoming calls available
Cons
- Caller ID draws on community-reported data and database matches
- Identification accuracy varies based on reported data and user contributions
- Core features require contact permissions (in our testing)
Why it made the list: Truecaller is a mobile app that provides caller ID and call screening, with community-based indicators for spam, scams, and robocalls. Without a paid subscription, the app displays basic caller information, including a name, general location (such as city or region), and user-submitted spam or scam indicators when available. Automatic spam blocking and advanced features (including an ad-free experience, expanded blocking controls, call recording, and AI-based call screening) require a paid subscription.
Access without a paid plan
Without a paid subscription, the app typically displays the caller's name, general location, and a community-based spam risk indicator when available.
Paid features
Paid plans unlock ad-free use, profile view tracking, incognito mode, advanced call-blocking controls, call recording where legally permitted, access to the AI assistant, and a premium badge visible to other users.
Reputation
Truecaller's caller ID database is crowdsourced. When users grant contact permissions, the app can use that data to improve how it identifies incoming numbers. Users can manage app permissions directly in their device settings.
On consumer review platforms such as Trustpilot, Truecaller has received mixed ratings over time. Reviews commonly mention subscription management, contact permissions, customer support responsiveness, and caller ID accuracy.
| Feature | Free Sites | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Caller ID, general location, and community spam indicators (limited features, ads included). | You can look, but generally have to pay to access details beyond name, age, and general location. |
| Premium | No ads, advanced spam blocking, the ability to see who viewed your profile, Incognito Mode, and call recording where supported. | Typically around $10/month or $70-$80/year |
| Family | Premium features shared across multiple family members. | Generally around $15/month or $90-$100/year |
| Gold | All Premium features, plus a Gold caller ID badge visible to other users. | Typically around $200-$250/year |
Note: Pricing, features, and availability are subject to change and are accurate as of the date of review.
Paid Phone Lookup Sites
The following are paid search sites that may be worth considering if you're looking for additional background data on an individual associated with a phone number. These sites allow you to search by name, address, and in some cases, email address or username.
All require payment to view reports, even when they offer trials at discounted rates. Trial terms and renewal policies vary by provider, so reviewing plan details before signing up is recommended.
Note: Pricing, features, and availability are subject to change.
Whitepages allows users to type in a number and see the general location of the person associated with it. You can also see a spam risk label based on user reports, the phone carrier, whether the phone is a landline or cellphone, and when that information was last updated. To see the individual's name or other details, you must sign up for the service.
Unlike most competitors, Whitepages sells individual background reports as one-time purchases as well as a monthly subscription. This makes the service a flexible option for people with various search needs.
Plans and Pricing
Premium Contact Info:
Generally ranges from approximately $5-$10 per month, depending on plan tier.
Background Report:
Typically priced in the $10-$20 range per report, depending on report type.
Premium Business plans:
Commonly range from about $10-$50 per month, depending on usage limits.
Enterprise tiers:
May range from roughly $100 to $200+ per month, depending on volume.
PeopleFinders offers reverse phone lookups as part of its paid membership. Enter a phone number and the service returns information that may include the owner's name, current and previous addresses, possible relatives and associates, and criminal records when available. Reports generally load quickly based on our testing.
The service also includes an alert system that notifies you when new information appears for numbers you've searched, which can be useful if you're monitoring specific callers over time.
Plans and Pricing
Search memberships:
Generally range from approximately $20-$30 per month.
Background report memberships:
Typically range from about $25-$30 per month, depending on plan type.
Trial options:
Short promotional trials are often available for a small introductory fee (commonly around $1-$5), with standard monthly pricing applying after the trial period unless canceled.
BeenVerified's reverse phone lookup does not offer free data prior to signup. Once you sign up for the service, it can return the caller's name, address history, possible relatives, and, when available, criminal records. What sets it apart is the inclusion of social media profiles and usernames tied to the number, along with photos and videos from those profiles when they're publicly accessible.
The service has a mobile app with a user-friendly interface and can send alerts when new information appears for numbers you're tracking. PDF downloads are only available with the Plus plan.
Plans and Pricing
Monthly membership:
Typically falls in the mid-$20 to mid-$30 range per month, depending on term length.
Multi-month plans:
May reduce the effective monthly cost into the low-to-mid $20 range when billed upfront.
Trial options:
Short introductory trials are commonly available for around $1-$5, with automatic conversion to standard pricing unless canceled.
Spokeo's reverse phone lookup provides some useful details prior to signup, including a number's general location, carrier, and the type of line it is. After signing up for the service, you can obtain standard caller identification along with address history, relatives, and criminal records. Reports can also include lifestyle and financial indicators such as estimated salary, property ownership, and interests pulled from public records and social media.
The service offers a Search Concierge feature where staff can assist with locating hard-to-find records, though this is typically more relevant for in-depth background searches than quick phone lookups.
Plans and Pricing
Monthly membership:
Generally ranges from approximately $25-$35 per month, depending on entry path.
Trial options:
A short promotional trial may be available for a small introductory fee (commonly around $1), with standard membership pricing applying after the trial period unless canceled.
Optional add-ons:
Certain features or record categories may involve an additional fee depending on plan selection.
TruthFinder's reverse phone lookup requires signing up before you can get any useful information. Once you sign up for the service, you can view the caller's name, location history, criminal records, and, when available, social media profiles. The service offers unlimited searches during the membership period, which may be useful for users running multiple phone lookups.
You can monitor numbers and receive alerts when new information appears, and optional downloadable report features may be available for an additional monthly fee.
Plans and Pricing
Monthly membership:
Generally ranges from approximately $25-$30 per month, depending on plan length.
Multi-month plans:
May reduce the effective monthly cost into the low-to-mid $20 range when billed upfront.
Optional add-ons:
Monitoring or downloadable report features may carry an additional monthly fee.
Trial options:
A short promotional trial may be available for around $1 before converting to the standard monthly rate unless canceled.
Free Community Report Sites
Community report sites are database websites where users can report their interactions with different numbers and leave comments for others to read. If you're being bombarded by calls from unknown numbers, these sites can be useful for checking whether others have flagged them as spam or scams.
These sites may provide the following:
- Spam/scam probability scores or risk tags
- Date of the latest user report
- Country/region associated with the number based on the area code
Most community-based report sites do not require signup, so anyone can post and comment. However, information is user-submitted and may not always be verified, and phone spoofing makes it increasingly difficult to determine who is actually calling and from where.
Also note that some of these free sites include paid advertisements or may lead you to paid sites or apps for additional information on the number (or person behind the number) you're looking up. Review offer details carefully before subscribing to any paid service.
Beyond checking these community sites, you can also take proactive steps to reduce unwanted calls. The FTC Do Not Call Registry allows you to register your phone number to stop receiving telemarketing calls, with some exceptions. The FTC states the purpose of the registry is to stop unwanted calls from legitimate businesses that follow the law. It does not block calls and it cannot prevent calls from scammers or robocalls.
What Is Reverse Phone Lookup
Reverse phone lookup is a tool — whether an app or online service — that allows users to enter a phone number and see who it may belong to and where the associated person or business is located. Depending on the service, users may also see information such as whether the number is a mobile phone or landline, and details about the carrier.
Reverse phone lookup services aggregate data from multiple sources, which may include:
- Public records: Government databases, property records, voter registrations, and court documents tied to individuals or addresses connected to phone numbers.
- Web directories: Publicly available contact information from platforms like Yelp, Google Business, and digitized phone directory archives.
- CNAM (Caller Name): Carrier-provided caller ID databases that associate phone numbers with subscriber names, most commonly for landlines and business numbers.
- Carrier metadata: Information from phone companies about line type (VoIP, landline, or mobile number), service provider, and general geographic location based on area code.
- User submissions: Crowdsourced data from users who voluntarily share contact information or report spam calls.
- Data brokers: Commercial data brokers that compile and resell information from multiple sources into large databases.
The ability to get accurate results from phone lookup tools varies depending on the specific phone number and service you use. For example, VoIP numbers may be difficult for reverse phone search tools to identify, and one service may correctly associate a number with an individual while another does not.
Note: The data provided by these services is intended for personal informational use only and cannot be used for purposes regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), such as employment or tenant screening.
How to Conduct a Reverse Phone Number Search
Reverse phone lookup tools can help you identify unknown callers, screen for potential spam or scams, and verify contact information. Free services provide basic details, while paid memberships offer more comprehensive background data. Here's how to use them.
Step 1: Start with a free lookup
Enter the phone number into a free reverse phone lookup tool to see what basic information comes up. Most free services will show you the carrier, general location, line type, and whether other users have flagged the number as spam or a scam. A basic lookup is often enough to help you decide whether a call appears legitimate.
If you're using a people search site that pulls from public records, you may also see the person's name, age, and address history. Just keep in mind that this information comes from public records that may not always be current or complete.
Step 2: Know what to look for in a paid service
Some free sites partner with paid services that offer more detailed information, including criminal records, court records, and additional contact information. If you decide to access these reports, reviewing the subscription terms can help you choose a plan that fits your needs.
Most paid services offer trial periods at discounted rates before converting to monthly memberships. Look for a trial length that gives you enough time to evaluate the service, a monthly fee that fits your budget, and clear renewal terms. Understanding renewal timing and cancellation policies upfront can help avoid unexpected charges.
Apps may also request permissions such as access to your contacts. Reviewing privacy policies can give you a better sense of how your data may be used and what to expect from the service.
Step 3: Compare results across tools
Different services pull from different data sources, so running the same number through multiple tools can help verify consistency. If you're seeing conflicting information across platforms, the data may be outdated, or the number could be spoofed.
Step 4: Decide which features match your needs
Paid reports can provide additional context beyond what free tools offer, including deeper background data and expanded contact information when available. The level of detail will depend on what public records are available for that individual.
When considering premium features, think about what information would be most useful for your specific situation. Customer reviews can help you understand how a service performs for others and whether it aligns with what you're looking for.
Paid vs. Free People Lookup Sites
| Truly Free Directory |
Free Site with Upsells |
Free App with Upsells |
Paid Background Tools |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examples | 800Notes, WhoCallsMe, PhoneRegistry | SpyDialer, USPhoneBook, FastPeopleSearch, TruePeopleSearch | Truecaller, Hiya, Nomorobo | PeopleFinders, BeenVerified, TruthFinder, Spokeo, Whitepages |
| Typical data returned | Country and general location based on area code, line type, carrier name, name, spam label, user comments and reports | Basic information like name, age, city, past addresses (free tier limited) | Caller name, spam warnings, call blocking (most features may require a paid plan) | Full background reports with addresses, relatives, criminal records, social profiles |
| Strengths | Free, no signup, quick spam checks from real users | Some basic info available without paying, pulls from public records | Identifies spam calls in real-time, can auto-block known spammers | Deep dive into someone's background, pulls from multiple data sources |
| Limits | Can't verify who actually owns the number, depends on people reporting | Free versions often include paid upgrade prompts, and results may be limited without a subscription | Best features are paywalled, and effectiveness may depend on user participation | Costs money (per search or monthly fee), can't legally use for hiring/screening tenants |
| Privacy trade-offs | Pretty minimal | Data aggregated from public records and data brokers; your info may already be listed on these sites | Access your contact list with your permission, and may contribute contact data to improve caller identification across its network | Aggregates extensive personal data from public and commercial sources |
Note on Spoofed Numbers: Scammers can fake their caller ID to display legitimate phone numbers using a tactic called "spoofing." If you look up a suspicious number and find it belongs to a seemingly innocent person or business, the number may have been spoofed. Call-blocking apps and services can help filter known spam numbers, but no service can completely stop spoofed calls.
What Free Reverse Phone Lookups Can't Do
While reverse phone lookup tools can be very useful, they also have some notable limitations.
- Spoofed numbers: Reverse phone lookup tools cannot identify when you've received a call from a spoofed number. Spoofing happens when caller information is faked to reflect what the person placing the call wants you to see. Your caller ID might show a call from a known individual or business in one part of the country when, in reality, the call could be coming from someone else entirely.
- Name accuracy issues: Services that draw data from public records may not be complete, updated, or even completely accurate. This can be particularly true for people who share the same name and surname or have common names. That's why it's a good idea to double-check information across multiple sources before relying on it for important decisions.
- Burner or newly issued numbers: Most reverse phone lookup services are not compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which means you cannot legally use them for employment screening, tenant background checks, credit decisions, or other purposes covered under FCRA regulations. These services are intended for personal informational use only, like identifying unknown callers or verifying contact information.
- No built-in call blocking: Traditional reverse phone lookup websites don't block calls for you. They only help you identify who's calling so you can decide whether to block the number yourself. Some caller ID apps offer integrated blocking features, but these are typically separate from standalone lookup services.
These tools work best when you manage your expectations. They can help you identify legitimate callers and spot potential spam, but they're not foolproof. Don't take any result at face value, especially for important decisions.
How We Tested
To find the best reverse phone lookup tools, we started with a list of popular providers and tested them to see what information they offer for free versus what requires payment. During our research, we collected data across six key categories. We used these categories as our evaluation criteria to assess each service and determine final scores. Here's what we focused on:
- Caller ID Accuracy: We assessed how well each service identified unknown callers, including the quality of information provided (name, business type), whether spam labeling was included, and how easy it was to access results without having to create an account or grant permissions.
- Depth of Free Data: We evaluated how much useful information was available without signing up or paying, including the breadth of data shown (name, location, line type, related numbers) and whether key details were locked behind paywalls.
- Data Freshness: We evaluated how current the information appeared, how frequently records were updated, whether ownership data seemed accurate, and whether recent user activity was reflected.
- Privacy/Opt-Out: We evaluated how easy it is to remove your information from the service, including the clarity of opt-out instructions, how quickly removal happens, the availability of contact methods, and whether you can search anonymously without creating an account.
- Speed and Usability: We measured how quickly results loaded, whether the layout was clean and user-friendly, the level of ad interference, and how well the service worked on mobile devices.
- Reputation: We reviewed each service's standing with the Better Business Bureau (complaint volume and recency), third-party review patterns on sites like Trustpilot, and whether recurring issues appeared across user feedback.
These tools work best when you manage your expectations. They can help you identify legitimate callers and spot potential spam, but they're not foolproof. Don't take any result at face value, especially for important decisions.
Frequently asked questions
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Reverse phone lookup services are legal. Phone numbers listed on these sites and apps come from multiple sources, including public records, web directories, carrier-provided caller ID databases, data brokers, and even user-submitted information.
However, most reverse phone lookup services are not FCRA-compliant, which means you can't legally use them for credit decisions, employment or tenant screening, or other purposes covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. They're intended for personal informational use only, like identifying unknown callers or verifying contact information.
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Reverse phone search services don't always return accurate data for several reasons. People databases may still link numbers to the previous owner even after they have been changed or transferred to a new carrier. It's also possible for these services to mix up common names and misattribute details to the wrong person.
Another possible scenario is that you could be seeing the name of an account holder instead of the person who actually uses the phone. For example, if someone has a line on a family plan, the name that's more likely to show up on a reverse phone search is that of the account holder, whether that's a parent, spouse, or other family member.
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Traditional caller ID works through a decentralized network of databases called CNAM (Caller Name Delivery). The service provider of the person receiving a call uses CNAM to find out who's calling. Because there's no central authority managing this information, the data can be outdated or incomplete. These systems are also susceptible to scams and fraud, as the identity of the person behind them can be falsified through techniques like caller ID spoofing.
Caller ID apps use a different method for linking names and numbers. They collect information from users' spam reports and, with your permission, may use contact list data to build their own databases. When you receive a call, the app checks its database to see if other users have identified or reported that number.
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The best way to handle unknown calls depends on your situation. If you're not waiting for an urgent call from an unknown number, it's usually best to let it go to voicemail. If the call is meant for you, the person will either leave a message or text you.
If you do answer an unknown call, let the other person identify themselves first and avoid sharing personal details. For example, if someone asks, "Is this Susan?" and that's not your name, just say "Sorry, wrong number" rather than giving them your actual name.
Don't provide any information like your address, social security number, or financial details, even if the caller claims to be from a trusted organization. Unless you called them first, legitimate companies won't ask for this information over the phone.
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Reverse phone lookup services have limited usefulness for identifying robocalls and spam callers. Some services include a spam or scam label based on user-submitted information. Other services are more hands-on; for example, apps may offer automatic spam and robocall filtering capabilities, which are typically based on user reports and internal databases.
The vast majority of people search services, however, are not as useful in identifying these types of calls. This is because they draw data from multiple sources, primarily public records. In our testing, we didn't find them particularly useful for identifying spam or scam numbers, but they were generally accurate at identifying individual phone numbers.
One major challenge when identifying unknown callers is that many robocallers use "spoofed" numbers. Spoofing allows malicious callers to fake their caller ID and display a legitimate person's number instead of their own. This means reverse phone lookup tools will return information about the number being displayed rather than the actual person calling, making it difficult to identify who is actually behind spoofed calls.