Reverse phone search, or phone number lookup, is an investigative process through which an individual retrieves information about a caller or user of a specific phone number. It comes in handy when there are doubts about the true identity of a caller. By inputting the phone number in a reverse phone lookup search, information about the subscriber assigned the number can be accessed. This is possible because subscriber details are provided to carriers when registering new phone numbers.
What are Oregon Phone Numbers?
Since 2000, there has been a gradual but steady change in telephone service usage in Oregon State. Phone carriers began to invest in wireless technology as phone users began to abandon landlines for mobile phones. As of 2001, about 67.25% of American households used traditional landline telephones. By the first half of 2018, more than half (63.4%) of Oregon households had subscribed to wireless phone services, and only 5.6% still used landline phones only. This figure is higher than the national average.
Overall, approximately 54.9% of U.S households had switched to wireless phones by December 2017. A report on the rate of phone technology adoption in the U.S reveals that landline usage between 2000 and 2018 dropped to approximately 40%, a clear indication that traditional phone services are declining and being replaced by newer technologies.
The State of Oregon, like the rest of the United States, has a number of phone carriers, but the four major ones in the state are Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Percentage of geographical coverage of Oregon from these four carriers are as follows:
- Verizon Wireless (100%);
- AT&T (100%);
- T-Mobile (99.84%); and
- Sprint (98.68%)
The steady fall in landline subscriptions was further intensified by increased subscription to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services by telephone users. Currently, as of January 2020, there are more than 20 VoIP service providers in Oregon, and approximately 3.7 million Oregonians (equivalent to 85.2% of total households in Oregon) subscribe to the current approved VoIP service providers in the state.
Can I Search a Phone Number and Find out Who It Is?
Yes, you can. It is possible to obtain vital personal information that helps to confirm the identity of the person behind a phone number. This is done through the process called “reverse phone lookup.” During the registration of a phone number, each user is required to supply such personal information as name, address, and other contact details. Therefore, with reverse phone lookup (on landline or cellphone), anyone can perform a phone number search to know who owns a phone number. There are several ways to perform a reverse lookup. The common ways are phone number lookup by address, phone number lookup by name, or by using only a phone number.
A reverse phone number search is helpful when an individual receives an unsolicited call from an unknown caller. This may be a cyberbully, phone stalker, prank caller, or scammer. To carry out a suspicious phone number lookup, one must input the number into a phone number search directory and click the ‘search’ icon. It will return results/queries detailing the owner’s identification details. Online phone search directories also offer free phone number lookup by name, such that one can decipher “who is registered to a phone number.” The personal information derived from the exercise can then be used to file a complaint and take necessary legal steps against phone scammers, stalkers, and operators of robocalls.
What are Phone Lookup Services?
Phone lookup services are websites and mobile apps used to find information about subscribers registered to unrecognized phone numbers. Modern phones have caller ID functions for identifying callers by their numbers. These give phone users some measure of security. However, caller ID is not infallible.
Scammers have means of hiding their numbers and names from their targets by tricking caller IDs into displaying other names and numbers. Certain features of VoIP phones also make it easier to trick caller ID. Phone lookup services are better at identifying individuals behind unknown numbers than caller ID. Therefore, they are essential tools for detecting and avoiding phone scammers.
What Information Can You Get from an Oregon Phone Number Lookup Search?
A reverse phone lookup service can find the full name of the individual registered to a phone number submitted for search. Most free phone number lookup searches can also return the following information about the subject of a search:
- Address
- Age
- Gender
You can use phone lookup services to identify individuals and organizations by their phone numbers. Some reverse lookup providers offer paid versions in addition to their free tiers. These subscription tiers can find more detailed information for those trying to do more than identify unknown callers.
Paid services often check social media platforms as well as records in public domains to present more complete details about unknown callers searched by their users. Therefore, they can show up-to-date information regarding the activities of these individuals where available. Additional details from these sources can be helpful when determining the veracity of the claims of unknown callers or when deciding whether they are trustworthy or not. This is true both for individual callers contacting you out of the blue and organizations using telemarketing calls to find leads.
What is a VoIP Number?
Voice Over Internet Protocol, otherwise known as IP telephony, is a communication technology used to deliver voice calls and text messages over the internet. VoIP calls go over the internet rather than the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) used by traditional phone services. Unlike cellphones and landlines that require copper line infrastructure and telecommunication masts, VoIP calls only require internet connectivity. VoIP numbers can be used on a wide range of devices, including desktop and personal computers, smartphones, and other internet-enabled and voice-capable devices.
Some VoIP features make the technology suited to running phone scams. For example, VoIP numbers are assigned to individuals and not linked to devices and locations. They also do not necessarily require paperwork or registration to obtain. Hence, conducting a phone lookup to know who is registered to a VoIP number may prove elusive unless the subscriber had previously authorized the VoIP issuer to enable their caller ID. Furthermore, location tracking is harder since a VoIP number can be used to make multiple phone calls at once and across devices by a single user. All these peculiarities with VoIP phone numbers imply that extra caution needs to be taken when answering a strange or unsolicited call.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) directs that consumers take steps to block unwanted calls outrightly by exploring their mobile phones’ call blocking features like Do Not Disturb (DND). Downloading a call-blocking app that shuts out spam calls and illegal robocalls can also be helpful. Phone users should also contact their respective carriers for available call blocking services. Links to specific phone carrier call-blocking information are provided in the Federal Communications Commission’s Consumer Guides. Send all complaints about spam and scam calls to the FTC.
What is an Oregon Phone Number Area Code?
Oregon phone number area code is a three-digit numeric code associated with a specific part of the state. It is also technically referred to as Numbering Plan Areas (NPAs). Each Oregon phone user is assigned a seven-digit number and unique area code number corresponding to their address. This way, each phone number possesses a three-digit central office code, a four-digit line number, and any of the four area codes in Oregon.
The North American Numbering Plan serves the Public Switched Telephone Network for the entirety of North America, including Canada, the U.S, and its surrounding territories, as well as some Caribbean countries. NANPA and area code administration are handled by the United States Federal Communications Commission, although it grants powers to the Public Utilities Commissions of each state to oversee area code administration.
In Oregon, the state’s Public Utilities Commission administers area code assignment and administration within the state. The commission’s job prescription includes: regulating service provider rates and tariffs, certifying telecom providers, accessing the quality of service delivery of the telecommunications providers, accessing the needs for creating more area codes, informing Oregonians about telecommunication trends, and making changes to area codes which includes overlays and splits.
What is an Oregon Phone Number Prefix Code?
A prefix code is a set of three digits that comes after the area code in a phone number. For instance, in the phone number +1 (971)-532-6745, the prefix code is 532, while the area code is 971 (in brackets). In the case of international calls, it is mandatory that the international dialing code for the call recipient’s country be included.
In the case of the United States, the international dialing code is +1, and it is usually included before the area code such that the phone number begins with the international dialing code, then the area code, the prefix code, and the rest of the phone number (in that order). Hence, in the phone number +1 (971)-532-6745:
- +1 is the international dialing code;
- (971) is the area code;
- 532 is the prefix code; and
- 6745 is the rest of the station number.
Is There a Way to Lookup a Phone Number for Free in Oregon?
In Oregon, it is possible to lookup a phone number for free in some cases. Public records laws allow individuals to access certain information available through the government or local law enforcement agencies. However, this information can only be accessed by making a formal public record request and providing specific documentation related to the search. There may also be fees associated with obtaining such information.
Alternatively, private companies offer phone number lookups for free. Still, these are often less comprehensive than what is available through public records requests and may not include all relevant information about an individual’s contact details. It is important to note that any information accessed through a public records request is subject to the same laws as private companies, meaning it cannot be used for illegal or unethical activities.
Inquirers may also look up a phone number for free in Oregon using social media, public libraries, or other public resources. However, it is essential to remember that this type of search may not be as reliable as the one obtained through a public records request. Additionally, there may be privacy laws and regulations limiting such searches.
Is Reverse Phone Lookup Legal in Oregon?
Yes. Oregon does not have state laws prohibiting residents from using phone lookup services for identifying unknown callers. The state also does not regulate those who provide these tools. Reverse phone lookup is legal in Oregon as long as you do not use it for illegal acts. This means that Oregon law enforcement will apprehend and prosecute anyone who uses phone lookup services with the intention of harming or defrauding others.
Oregon also does not consider a reverse phone search as an invasion of privacy. This is because the details gathered by phone number lookup searches are public records. It will take you a lot of time and significant effort to find the information needed to identify an unknown caller. Reverse phone lookup services find identifying records much faster and save you the effort needed to request and look through public records.
