Advantages And Disadvantages Of Reverse Phone Lookup

The ability to perform a reverse phone lookup on a phone number, thus obtaining the name and address on that person, is a great technological perk. Often it is quick and easy, and it is usually carries a small charge. Believe it or not, there are downfalls as well. As with most technological advances, the ability to look up a person based on their phone number has its advantages and disadvantages.

The Upside

Knowledge Is Power

There are many instances in which you have a phone number but no name or address. Applicants answering a blind ad in the paper or online may only have a phone number. By searching that number, one can ensure that it is a company where they want to work.

Salespeople following leads found online may find phone numbers in ads, networking sites, and other data resources. Those sales calls will be much warmer if the salesperson is able to understand who he or she is calling, where they are located, and a few details about their business.

Who Called You?

On a personal note, thanks to Caller ID features on our home phones and cell phones, we have a log of just about every call we receive. When you receive a call from someone you do not know or if a message is difficult to understand, you can use reverse phone lookup to find out who called you. This is particularly helpful when the calls are harassing or of a sinister nature; being able to identify your caller can put a stop to the problem.

The Downside

A Loss Of Privacy

We have all called the wrong number at some point in our lives. In the past, when the answering machine or voicemail picked up and we realized we had the wrong number, we simply hung up, but now that number is on the recipient’s Caller ID. Now it is best to leave a message stating it is the wrong number or that person may feel compelled to use reverse phone lookup to look up the number in the event they are being harassed.

Another Loss Of Privacy

For anyone who does not live alone: a teenager, a girlfriend, or a sibling, there are no secrets if the family shares a land line. A curious sibling, a jealous spouse, or an overbearing parent can at any time investigate an incoming call and see exactly who is calling you. Of course, in some cases, this could be deemed an advantage.

The Good And Bad Of Easy Information Access

The overriding question might be concerning exactly when we have access to too much information. A strange call that appears on your Caller ID might just be a wrong number, and you may have an unlisted number specifically so you cannot be contacted by strangers; however, this search service makes it possible for just about anyone to access information. Of course, this information is public, and with enough work, they could find it anyway, but reverse phone lookup makes the process easier and streamlines anyone’s ability to put that information to work for them.

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