Virtual numbers provide an easy way to communicate with customers and staff, allowing you to take calls on your computer, mobile phone, or other device, even if you aren’t in the office. They’re also a more flexible solution than traditional phone lines, offering increased anonymity and the ability to use your existing cell phone.
While the benefits of virtual numbers are clear, they can be difficult to track. This is because they aren’t in the public domain, making it harder to find information on them. However, new technology offers a way to find out who owns a particular number. The process is called a reverse phone lookup. You can locate the information for free with some services, while others will charge a fee.
One of the most popular options for tracking virtual numbers is the site OpenPhone. This detect virtual numbers system offers a one-week trial to give you a glimpse at its features. Once you’ve enrolled, you’ll fill out a short form on their app, and the rest is handled for you. Within a few weeks, you’ll have access to all of the benefits of the service.
Another option is the paid subscription product Nextiva. It provides an auto attendant, which greets callers and directs billing questions to the finance team. Other features include text messaging, call forwarding, and call recording. Additionally, the website uses an SSL certificate, so it provides advanced security.
There are some free reverse phone lookup services, as well. Some of these services are better than others. For example, TrueCaller has a limited database and doesn’t perform a CNAM lookup, but it is a good place to start. A CNAM lookup is an authentication step that is performed when a VoIP provider needs to verify a caller’s identity. Often, providers will block malicious numbers, but this can vary from provider to provider.
Vonage Number Insight is another useful tool for tracking virtual numbers. With this service, you’ll be able to find out the type of phone number, its reachability, and the type of fraud that could be on it. It’s also possible to get more information about a number, such as its area code, by triggering an extra authentication step.
You can also detect virtual numbers with a reverse phone lookup. Using a web browser, you can find out the address and other details of the person who owns a given phone number. Several companies and platforms offer this service, including Nextiva, MightyCall, and 8×8, Grashopper.
If you’re looking for more advanced functionality, OpenPhone has a Premium plan that includes round-robin call distribution, HubSpot integration, and a call transfer feature. These features are a good choice for businesses who want to expand into a new market or market segment.
If you have more than a few employees who work remotely, a virtual business phone system can be a valuable resource. As the number of people who are working from home continues to grow, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to ensure that everyone has a landline. Instead, using a virtual number can help you connect with your remote team members and make it easier to build a strong team.