Identifying the telemarketer who is calling you

Many illegal telemarketing calls are spoofed - the calling number on your screen is fake. But some are real, often from screwup or arrogance. Knowing the calling number can help you identify who is dialing.

Phone numbers in North America are organized by NANPA - North America Numbering Plan Administrator www.nationalnanpa.com. They have a tool allowing you to find what telephone service provider is suppling service for specific blocks of numbers.

https://www.nationalnanpa.com/enas/coCodeReportUnsecured.do?reportType=7

Pick the state the area code is based in, and the area code,

Let's say you received a telemarketing call from (520) 208-1234. This report shows Global Crossing Local Services, Inc. was the service provider to the entity who called you. This does not mean Global Crossing called you, they are just a service provider to who did.

It is possible their direct customer called you, and it is possible they are an upstream provider to a down stream provider who has the retail customer who called you. But it is a link in the chain who can be subpoena'ed to find the next entity.

Some service providers will give up their customer information just by asking, so I recommend trying that before going to the trouble of a subpoena.

This won't work for toll-free numbers. For that you need Somos.com and you can find the entity at the top who provided services to the telemarketer by asking if you are an attorney.

Again this will not directly identify the telemarketer who called you, but the service provider might tell you if you ask nicely and you can subpoena them if they won't tell you without one.

Would you like a free case review? Do you have a question or a telemarketing, debt collection, or bankruptcy case that would make a great blog article? We might even review your pro-se complaint or motion in a blog post. Email peter@nwdebtresolution.com and/or nathen@nwdebtresolution.com and we may answer it for everyone!

Are telemarketers harassing you in Washington, Oregon, or Montana? My Washington State TCPA plaintiff law practice can help, just give us a call at 206-800-6000 or email peter@nwdebtresolution.com.

The thoughts, opinions and musings of this blog are those of Peter Schneider, a consumer advocate and Washington State plaintiff's TCPA attorney at Northwest Debt Resolution, LLC. They are just that, his thoughts, opinions and musings and should be treated as such. They are not legal advice. If you are looking to file a lawsuit for TCPA violations and unwanted calls please contact me for a consultation.