Reverse phone search, otherwise called phone number lookup, is the process of discovering more details about the person a phone number is registered to, using just the phone number. Identifying the owner of a phone number in this way is possible because carriers require new subscribers to provide certain information when registering their numbers. Hawaiians can use phone lookup services to identify unknown callers and avoid phone scammers and spam calls.
What are Hawaii Phone Numbers?
Landline phones are quickly making way for mobile wireless devices. In 2010, it was estimated that just about 29.7% of American households use wireless phones exclusively. The 2019 CDC report indicated that the number of households that rely on wireless devices for their telephone services had increased to 54.9%. The same shift in user preference is also observed in Hawaii. The same CDC report showed that 62.2% of Hawaiian households only use wireless telephone services. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is another rapidly growing telephony service. Nationwide, the number of VoIP users rose from 34.2 million in 2010 to about 118 million in 2018.
Hawaii enjoys extensive coverage from all the big four US carriers. About 92.6% of the state has wireless network coverage. AT&T has the widest coverage among the operators in Hawaii. They cover about 93.5% of the state’s 6,453 square miles of land mass. Verizon is also well represented, and they cover 87.3% of the state, while T-Mobile has a presence in 72% of the state. Sprint is far behind, with a presence in only 60% of the state.
Can I Search a Phone Number and Find Out Who it Is?
Yes. This is possible with reverse phone lookup. Phone lookup services retrieve subscriber information provided to carriers when phone users sign up for new numbers. Therefore, they can find the name, gender, and contact address of individuals registered to search numbers. Some services can also find publicly available criminal records and social media accounts. Phone lookup services can find caller information that phone Caller ID functions fail to turn up. Using these services, you can answer the question: “who called me?”.
What are Phone Lookup Services?
Phone lookup services are websites and apps for identifying owners of unknown phone numbers. They help you identify who a phone number is registered to. While phone users rely on the caller ID function on their devices to recognize unknown callers, this feature is not always accurate. Scammers hoping to gain the trust of their targets can spoof caller ID and make their numbers appear as ones familiar to their targets. Wary phone users can authenticate the identities of unknown callers by submitting their phone numbers for reverse phone searches.
What Information Can You Get from a Hawaii Phone Number Lookup Search?
A Hawaii reverse phone lookup search can provide the full name of the individual registered to the phone number searched. Additionally, you can expect to get the following details about the subject of the search:
- Location
- Gender
- Age
Residents of the state can expect these details from phone number lookup free searches. Reverse lookup paid services can find additional details and rely on a wider range of sources. Paid searches can turn up recent photos and updates to the names and addresses of identified callers. These searches can also access publicly available records.
Hawaiians can also use reverse phone lookup paid services to identify and investigate organizations trying to reach them. Lookup tools are especially useful for finding the true identities of callers impersonating others and pretending to represent charities, businesses, and government agencies. Some paid services can also provide scam alerts for numbers reportedly used by scammers and shady organizations.
What is a VoIP Number?
VoIP numbers are assigned to subscribers of VoIP phone services. Voice of Internet Protocol, or VoIP, relies on the internet for calls rather than landlines and communications towers. It does provide certain benefits when compared to landline and mobile telephone services. For one, you can make calls from multiple devices using one VoIP number. You can even make those calls simultaneously. VoIP subscribers can make calls from any internet and voice-capable device from anywhere in the world with the same number.
VoIP subscribers may also choose any area code for their number. This means they can choose numbers with Hawaii area code and have their calls appear as locals to Hawaiians. This feature is most useful for businesses but has been co-opted by scammers to mislead their victims into believing their calls are originating from their locality.
It is advised that VoIP subscribers configure their devices to also display the Caller ID Name (CNAM) alongside the caller ID number. Enabling both features means that the party receiving a call can see the name registered to the VoIP number. It is possible to request a phone lookup search from a VoIP service provider. However, this will only return a valid result if the number searched was registered with a valid IP. The service provider will also need a legitimate reason before agreeing to the search.
What is a Hawaii Phone Number Area Code?
Area codes were introduced in the late 40s by AT&T and Bell’s Laboratories as the expanding number of telephone subscribers necessitated an overhaul of the dialing system. By giving different states and regions unique area codes, telephone companies can handle local and long-distance calls better. Furthermore, phone users can tell the origins of calls simply by noting their area codes.
Currently, the FCC regulates the assigning of area codes through the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), while each state oversees how they are introduced in their territories. When area codes were introduced in 1947, there were 86 codes in total. Hawaii did not get a code till 1957, when it got assigned a single area code for its territory, and the population has not necessitated the need for another.
What is a Hawaii Phone Number Prefix Code?
A prefix code is the set of three numbers following an area code in a phone number. Using the telephone number (547) 555-7894 as an example;
- 547 – Area code
- 555 – Prefix code
- 7894 – Line number
If a caller is outside the United States, the international dialing code +1 is introduced. The phone number becomes +1 (547) 555-7894 with
- +1 – International dialing code
- 547 – Area code
- 555 – Prefix code
- 7894 – Line number
Some numbers are reserved and are exempted from being assigned as prefix codes. 555 is reserved for directory assistance and information inquiry which makes it impossible to be assigned as a standard residential or business line. Prefix numbers are also not permitted to end in 11 as that has been reserved for service codes like 911.
Is There a Way to Lookup a Phone Number for Free in Hawaii?
Yes, inquirers can lookup a phone number for free in Hawaii. Inquirers can refer to the reverse lookup services offered by some search engines. These services allow users to enter a phone number and find out the subscriber's name and address information without any cost. Additionally, reverse lookup services can also provide information such as the phone type and carrier of a particular number. Furthermore, inquirers can look up phone numbers in Hawaii by taking advantage of public records databases available online. These databases often include contact details like phone numbers listed with various state agencies. However, access to these databases may require some fee payment depending on the type of information being sought. Lastly, inquirers can use free online directories to search for Hawaiian phone numbers. These directories are usually publicly accessible and indicate the subscriber's name and other contact information associated with a specific number. It is important to note that not all phone numbers are included in these directories; unlisted or unpublished numbers may not be accessible through them. Thus, if an individual wants detailed information like their name or address, they may have to subscribe to a paid service.
Is Reverse Phone Lookup Legal in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaiian can legally use reverse phone lookup to find identifying details about persons calling them with numbers they do not recognize. While there are no Hawaii laws ruling on the legality of phone number lookup search, the state does recognize the importance of this tool for fighting phone scams. Hawaii, however, requires those using and providing lookup services to act responsibly and obey its laws while conducting searches for unknown callers. Therefore, reverse phone lookup is only illegal in Hawaii when used with the intention to harass, harm, or steal money, information, or other valuables.
Part of Hawaii’s requirement that reverse phone lookup users and providers obey its civil and criminal laws is that they respect the privacy of the individuals they identify. Residents using lookup searches to investigate strange callers must do so while obeying the state’s privacy laws. Legitimate phone number lookup search providers only provide results extracted from public records so that they may not infringe on individuals’ privacy.
