When mystery calls clog your phone log, it can be hard to decide whether to pick up or just let it go to voicemail. But if that caller ID is a telemarketer, student loan scammer, tech support spammer, or vishing attacker, answering could lead to unwanted charges on your bill or identity theft. Thankfully, there are some simple tricks and third-party apps you can use to identify unknown callers by number and stop them from calling your device again.

One of the identify unknown callers by number popular methods for identifying unknown numbers is to use your phone’s app to track them. These apps perform a reverse lookup on a number to reveal name and location information, usually based on public databases and social media platforms. They can also block spammers, transcribe voicemails into text, and even intercept calls to block robocallers and other unwanted calls before they reach your device.

Check if an IP Is High Risk Before You Allow Access

Another option is to try a reverse number search online. This can return similar results to phone app services, but it may be a little slower. Some sites, such as BeenVerified, can also provide additional background check information that isn’t available through traditional search engines.

The most effective way to deal with calls from unknown numbers is to block them entirely. This can be done through your phone provider or by using third-party apps like Livecaller, TrueCaller, and others. You can also use Apple’s Do Not Disturb feature to prevent calls from numbers not in your Contacts list from ringing on your iPhone.