How to Find Out What Cell Phone Service Someone Has

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Find out your callers' cell phone service providers.

With a little detective work, it's possible to find out who provides cell phone service to a particular phone number. Use the information to determine the parent company of a prepaid service, or to see whether a number is actually linked to a cell phone (as opposed to a land line).

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Step 1

Watch your caller ID when the person calls. Write down all 10 digits of the phone number that appears on the screen.

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Step 2

Access an online telephone directory. Type the first seven digits of the number in the search field, then click "Search by Number."

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Step 3

Read the result listed as "Telephone Company" on the web page that appears. This is the caller's cell phone service provider.

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