Can a Private Investigator Find Out Who Owns a Phone Number?

If you’ve ever been the target of harassing text messages, threatening phone calls, or even financial fraud tied to a phone number, you know how unsettling it can feel. Many people call us at Easton Secure Solutions LLC with one pressing question: “Can you find out who really owns this number?”

The answer depends on what kind of phone number it is — and just as importantly, what kind of data can legally be accessed. Not all phone number investigations are the same. A real cell phone number tied to a banking transaction, Zelle, or Venmo payment is very different from a disposable VoIP number used to mask someone’s identity.

In this blog, we’ll break down how investigators approach these cases, the difference between Restricted Access Databases and public searches, and why sometimes a subpoena is the only way forward.

 
Public vs. Restricted Access Databases

When someone asks us to look into a suspicious phone number, the first step is deciding what type of database may provide leads.

• Public Databases (sometimes called Tier 2 or Tier 3 data): These include information that is available through public records — court filings, property ownership, business registrations, social media, and sometimes older phone listings. These searches can be helpful, but they’re often outdated or incomplete.
• Restricted Access Databases (sometimes called Tier 1 data): These are licensed, permissible-use databases available only to approved investigators. They combine verified sources like credit headers, telecom accounts, utility billing, DMV records, and postal systems. Because the information is tied to real-world activity, it often provides much more reliable leads.

It’s important to remember that even the strongest databases are not perfect. Results may point us in the right direction but can also return information about someone who once used that number in the past. That’s why further investigation is always required to confirm.

• For the types of background checks that are available and how they apply to different case types, visit our Our Background Check Page.

 
What Are Restricted Access Databases?

Restricted Access Databases (sometimes referred to in the investigative industry as Tier 1 data) are not the same as simple Google searches or people-finder websites. They pull from deeper, legally regulated sources, such as:

• Credit Headers – Basic identifying details from credit bureaus, including name, address history, date of birth, and associated phone numbers. These do not reveal credit scores but help confirm an individual’s identity.
• Telecom and Utility Records – Numbers tied to actual service accounts, showing when a phone number is connected to a verified subscriber.
• Public Records Integration – Verified data from courts, property filings, business registrations, and other official sources.
• DMV Records – In states that allow it under the Drivers Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), investigators may access driver or vehicle registration information, license status, or ownership history. New York, for example, permits certain PI access for fraud, litigation, or safety-related matters (NY DMV – Permissible Uses).
• USPS & Address Verification Systems – The U.S. Postal Service maintains systems that help confirm where people live or move:
  • NCOA (National Change of Address): Permanent change-of-address requests filed with USPS.
  • PCOA (Proprietary Change of Address): Private-sector address changes that supplement USPS data.
  • ACS (Address Change Service): Real-time updates when mail is undeliverable, sometimes including forwarding information (USPS Privacy Handbook).

When used properly, these tools provide far stronger leads than public-only searches, particularly when the phone number is linked to verified activity like banking or utility accounts.

 
When a Subpoena Is the Only Way

A critical distinction clients need to understand is this: if you’re being harassed through a VoIP number or a text app, investigators cannot simply “look up” who owns it. Those numbers are designed to mask identity.

The only way to uncover the true source of a VoIP number is usually through a subpoena to the service provider, compelling them to disclose the originating account information. This is often done through law enforcement or attorneys handling a civil case.

On the other hand, if you were the victim of fraud and the phone number was tied to a verified transaction — like a Zelle, Venmo, or bank transfer — that number is much more likely to connect to a real person. Restricted Access Databases may already provide strong leads, and if needed, a subpoena can confirm the information.

For more on the risks of recycled phone numbers and identity issues, the FTC has issued consumer guidance that highlights just how easily fraudsters can take advantage of phone number confusion.

 
Real-Life Scenario: A Facebook Scam
A Long Island resident contacted us after being scammed through Facebook Marketplace. They had sent a payment through Zelle to what looked like a legitimate seller. All they had was the seller’s phone number tied to the transaction.

Because the number was a real cell phone linked to financial activity, we were able to use Restricted Access Databases to develop leads, including address history and linked accounts. While the database information alone wasn’t confirmation, it gave the client and their attorney a solid direction. With additional legal steps, they were able to pursue recovery.

This is very different from cases where a harasser uses a VoIP number through a texting app. In those cases, the trail usually stops at the app provider until a subpoena is issued.

 
Why Understanding the Difference Matters

Knowing whether a phone number is connected to a real account or a masking service makes all the difference.

• Victims of harassment via text apps should understand that an investigator cannot magically reveal who is behind the number without legal process.
• Victims of fraud tied to real numbers (Zelle, Venmo, banking, utilities) have stronger chances of developing actionable leads through Restricted Access Databases.

Either way, the key is having a licensed investigator guide you through the process — legally, ethically, and effectively. You can learn more about our approach to discretion, professionalism, and results on our About Us Page.

 
Take the Next Step

If you’re dealing with fraud tied to a phone number, harassment through text apps, or simply need to know what investigative options are available, don’t wait. Understanding what can and cannot be done is the first step toward resolution.

📞 Contact us today to discuss your case and learn how Easton Secure Solutions LLC can help.

Easton Secure Solutions LLC
Licensed NYS Private Investigator #11000228434

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✉️ Email: [email protected]
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