Article Directory :: Home & Family Articles

History of Reverse Phone Directories

By Janelle Elizabeth

Subscribe to Janelle Elizabeth's RSS feed using any feed reader!

Republish: EasyPublish
Published: 27Nov2008
Word count: 428
Viewed: 198 time(s)
Bookmark this article using any bookmark manager!
Get Free Content For Your Site

What is a Reverse Phone Lookup?

A reverse phone directory is simply a backwards sort of phone book or listing.

In a standard phone book or listing, both online and off, a phone number or address is found by looking up an individual or business name. However, in a reverse phone directory, a name or address is found by looking up a phone number!

Not A Product Of The Internet!

Many people mistakenly think that reverse phone directories came into existence with the widespread use of the internet, but that is incorrect.

Telephone companies in the United States have been providing certain institutions with printed reverse phone directories for many decades. These printed directories were provided to police departments, other law enforcement offices, and public libraries.

During this time, if you knew about the existence of these directories, you could probably ask for the assistance of the local librarian to help you find a number.

As information and record keeping became more and more electronic, and subsequently, more and more instant, the birth of the reverse phone directory we see online today began to occur.

New technology for new technologies

Coupled with the widespread uses of cell phones as a primary number and the availability of caller ID to almost everyone, the technology of reverse phone lookups began to breed controversies regarding privacy laws. Landline information has been available for many years in a wide array of directories, including the popular 411 call service directory.

Although people could request not to be listed in such directories, and sometimes can pay a fee to remove their listing, landline information has been easy to get for many years.

Cell phone information has been harder to get, however. Many companies supported the creation of a 411 directory for cell phone numbers, but outcry from consumers and consumer protection organizations have put a stop on this type of thing.

The fact that no public reverse number directory or lookup directory for cell phone numbers exists makes the fee based directories very popular. For many people, paying the small fee to use a reverse lookup directory to find information is well worth it, because the information is not readily available anywhere else.

Why Do People Use Them?

People now use reverse lookup directories online for a variety of reasons. This includes searching for long-lost family members and friends, finding the source of an annoying prank call or telemarketer call, or even confirming address or other information related to a telephone number.

These databases are simply telephone listing sites and are completely legal.

Don't ignore the chance to catch up again with old school friends. You can find their current details now, with just a phone number! Learn more now!

Bookmark this article using any bookmark manager! Subscribe to Janelle Elizabeth's RSS feed using any feed reader!

EasyPublish™ this article - publishers click here

More articles by Janelle Elizabeth

Free Report!
Ten Essential Secrets Of Article Marketing ... Grab Your Free
Copy
Now:




We respect your privacy.


Need Content?
Regular Top Quality Content for your Blog, Ezine or Website ...
Delivered Direct,
For Free!

Click For Details



Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Business - General
Computers & Technology
Finance & Investment
Food & Drink
Health & Fitness
Home & Family
Internet Marketing/Online Business
Legal
Pets & Animals
Politics & Government
Reference & Education
Religion & Faith
Self-Improvement/Motivation
Social
Sports & Recreation
Travel & Leisure
Writing & Speaking

More family articles:

  • 7 Tips to Choosing a Maternity Bra (Michael Pakula)
    Being pregnant does not mean not being pretty.Here we list our top 7 tips for choosing a maternity bra and lingerie that is best for baby and best for you.

  • Dog Health Food – Could You Be Accidentally Poisoning Your Dog? (Mark Syme)
    Find out what toxic chemicals and substandard ingredients might be going into your dog's food

  • Types of Diamond Cuts Explained (Rachael Stone)
    Discover the types of diamond cuts available

  • How to Take Advantage of the New Home Renovation Tax Credit Program (Molly Wider)
    Recently, there has been significant media exposure on the tax savings opportunity offered by the Home Renovation Tax Credit Program (HRTC). But taking advantage of this opportunity may not be as simple as one would think for those with bad credit.

  • Oval Picture Frame Preparation Steps (Autumn Lockwood)
    Learn how you can prepare, assembly and get ready to hang your oval picture frame all by yourself simply by following these eight steps.

  • Frugal Decorating Ideas For Throw Blankets (Sue Krippner)
    October through February is the time of year when throw blankets come out to provide the extra comfort and warmth in the living room or den. If it's a Sunday after noon nap or a curl up around the fireplace with a best seller in hand, throw blankets are always a welcome, cuddle luxury. So, rather than throwing them haphazardly when not in use, here are some frugal decorating ideas for throw blankets.

  • How to Solve Common Electrical Problems (Avner Leibovitch)
    Isn’t it nice to live in a house so peaceful and problem-free? But there is a problem—nothing is perfect. Even the most beautiful and the biggest house in the world experiences problems, too. Take electrical problems, for example. Damaged computers, fire, and death might happen only because of a common electrical problem. Fortunately, you can always do something to prevent electrical problems.

  • Amazing Home Solar Power Systems That Slash Your Electricity Bills (John Greenspan)
    Some families live on home solar power systems that takes part of their electricity consumption "off the grid". This means they will only have to pay a small fraction of what most families do in electricity bills.

  • Follow a No Mowing in the Rain Policy (Kurt Naulaerts)
    Mowing in the rain is not the best course of action to take for your lawn either. There are some heavy duty motors that come equip with balloon tires and extremely sharp blades that can cut easily and efficiently, however the majority of lawn mowers for home use do not fall into this category. Let's have a closer look at why you should stop mowing when it rains

We Automatically Distribute Articles
To Thousands Of Publishers And Web Sites:

Submit Article
All content is viewed and used by you at your own risk and we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of any of the information. The views expressed are those of the individual contributing authors and not necessarily those of this web site, or its owner, Takanomi Limited.
 
Copyright © 2009 Takanomi Ltd. Company no. 5629683. All rights reserved. | Privacy | Legal | Contact Information