Directory enquiries - I've got the number, but want to know whose it is

jimmy_g

I'm in a shared flat and I sort out the phone bills. A few numbers on the bill have been left 'unclaimed' by my flatmates. Is there a reverse directory enquiries service where I can type the number in and get the details of whose number it is?

Heinz

jimmy_g wrote:

I'm in a shared flat and I sort out the phone bills. A few numbers on the bill have been left 'unclaimed' by my flatmates. Is there a reverse directory enquiries service where I can type the number in and get the details of whose number it is?

No, the PC brigade used the Data Protection Act some time ago to stop that sort of useful service.

I'd suggest you signed up for Primus Saver Option 2 and dialled all the 'suspect' numbers during the eveing or weekend to find out who they are owned by.

rapido

. .

Hunnymonster

How much are you talking about the calls costing? Can't you just split it between the sharers this time ?

Ring it and see if anyone there knows any of your housemates.

JohalaReewi

For premium rate numbers, you can try

http://www.icstis.org.uk/consumers/ncd/default.asp

Google can be very rewarding. You might have to try inserting spaces to hit the jackpot. eg "0870 12 34 56" and "0870 123 456".

For 01 and 02 numbers, you can get a idea of which part of the country they are in at these websites.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_Kingdom_dialling_codes
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/telecoms/ioi/numbers/261701.pdf
http://www.ukphoneinfo.com/section/tci/locator.shtml

BT used to produce a dialling code decoder book which although 'out of date' can still be useful for refining further, the dialling codes (usually to districts within an exchange area). Oftel used to issue CSV files of the complete number ranges. You might be able to get these from an archive website.

This company still produces one
http://www.oakleypub.co.uk/

hammy_the_hammer

Heinz wrote:

No, the PC brigade used the Data Protection Act some time ago to stop that sort of useful service.

I'd suggest you signed up for Primus Saver Option 2 and dialled all the 'suspect' numbers during the eveing or weekend to find out who they are owned by.

heinz being able to trace addresses from telephone numbers can be a dangerous piece of information. many people are happy to give out tele numbers but not their home address

carpy

i assume this is still the case and it's not possible to trace a number?

it's only a local number but not one i recognise, probably someone trying to sell me something!!!

will just have to return the call i guess if i want to know

Heinz

There are numerous websites offering 'reverse directory' services for other parts of the world (USA in particular) but none for the UK.

1882

A (vaguely) related matter - do people or some phone systems dial random 118 numbers when looking for a directory service?

I work in one such place and have arranged such a 118 number for my favourite footy team (based here in Bonnie Scotland). When I get their calls they're invariable calls from England, mostly women looking for local numbers in their area.

I find it most strange, although we're grateful for the cash raised!

michellehubbard26

i recently had some work done in my kitchen and my husband stupidly handed the money over up front. we had disaster after disaster from them messing up the electrics, they completely wrecked my floor and so on and they have now left me with a hell hole of a kitchen and £1600 worse off. i have 2 numbers for them but have no address or company name and i need these to serve them with a court order. can anyone help me please!!!! 08453024876 / 07525631578

thank you

qw3rt7

No legitimate way of tracing these, i see you have searched the internet quite thoroughly. Where do you live and how were you approached? Not promising anything but i know people who work for a couple of mobile networks, could be lucky!
Have you reported this to the police, they will probably try and fob you off, that its a civil matter, but if you could convince them to treat it as fraud/deception they could certainly trace the numbers easy enough.