| The ability to trace text messages has been | | | | trick in the identification of the cell phone. |
| around for quite some time. The source of a text | | | | 3) Use one of the major search engines like |
| message is a cell phone number. If you or | | | | yahoo, google or msn and type in the phone |
| someone you know is receiving text messages | | | | number. Perhaps the owner of the phone will |
| from an unknown source, you do have options to | | | | have posted their number on a web page such as |
| identify the 'texter'. | | | | a forum or classified ad listing. |
| Here are some incremental approaches you can | | | | As a last resort in tracing a text message and |
| take to trace text messages: | | | | locating the owner of a cell phone you can try a |
| 1) Text back the person who is sending the | | | | paid online service. Yes - these services do charge |
| messages. Ask them to identify themselves. Of | | | | a fee - but the fee is generally not as expensive |
| course, they are under no obligation to reply, but | | | | as it would be to hire a private detective. If you |
| it's worth a try. Perhaps they don't know that | | | | do elect to use a paid service, make sure that |
| you are unaware of their identity. | | | | you work with one that has a good reputation. Be |
| 2) Call the phone number that is sending the text | | | | very careful of services that claim to offer you |
| messages. Even if they don't answer the phone, | | | | the ability to trace text messages for free. These |
| chances are they have a voicemail message that | | | | services will only provide you with 'free' |
| you might be able to use to identify the owner. | | | | information up until the point that they tease you |
| Even knowing the sound of the voice and | | | | that they have the information in their database. |
| hopefully the first name of the caller might do the | | | | |