October 14, 2002

11:04 AM

Tools you can use.In my line of work, I'm often tasked with finding out information about local telephone numbers. This website is an invaluable aid to that end such as the ability to type in someone's area code and prefix and find out where the number is located, or to find out all the prefixes in a given area (ratecenter). Now you too can identify strange unidentified phone numbers your Caller ID reports to you.
posted by WolfDaddy (17 comments total)

Guess I should note that the site only works for the US and Canada.
posted by WolfDaddy at 11:06 AM on October 14, 2002

But that takes the fun out of it! I like guessing whether or not my last unidentified call was my stalker of the week or just my bored mother. :)
posted by ambivalentgirl at 11:17 AM on October 14, 2002

"In my line of work," celebrity stalker, "I'm often tasked with..."
posted by mr_crash_davis at 11:27 AM on October 14, 2002

It misidentified an old phone number because I managed to keep the same number when I moved from CH/Carrboro 919-967-xxxx to the woods in/near Pittsboro, where the numbers are mostly 919-5xx-xxxx. I'd guess that this is fairly common.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:34 AM on October 14, 2002

Ever type your phone number into google sans area code? It's entertaining to see who, in the world shares this arbitrary assigment with you. Especially if you've had the number for years or decades (I still can't get over the fact that calling a certain number doesn't connect me to mom--it was that way for 36 years, or so... : (
posted by ParisParamus at 11:35 AM on October 14, 2002

Cool idea. I gotta try a google search of my number...
posted by kodas at 11:37 AM on October 14, 2002

ROU_Xenophobe: that is what the CLLI codes are for, transfering numbers around to different locations. I don't know if it is possible for this system to do this, but if it could find the CLLI code for your number it could use that to find the real location.
posted by f00b4r at 11:40 AM on October 14, 2002

Gee, an unusual number of steel manufacturers and metal companies. I wonder if my number spells something?
posted by kodas at 11:40 AM on October 14, 2002

"I wonder if my number spells something?"

Go have a look.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 11:42 AM on October 14, 2002

boy that got bookmarked fast...
thanks for the great link :) I usually go to The Ultimates for phone number needs--this link complements the resources at The Ultimates
posted by LuxFX at 11:44 AM on October 14, 2002

Utterly cool. Here's another set of tools (whois, calculators, etc.) that I find useful: GEEKTOOLS.
(Can't resist)
What's your favorite utility site?
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 11:45 AM on October 14, 2002

dammit crash, you let the cat out of the bag, so in return, I have it on good authority that your phone number spells IMA-SLUT! :-P
posted by WolfDaddy at 12:02 PM on October 14, 2002

Don't forget the hardcopy Polk City Directories, available at your local library, for the truly discerning stalker. Look up names, street addresses, phone numbers, all kinds of great stuff.
posted by IshmaelGraves at 12:03 PM on October 14, 2002

This thread had some good thingys like this, specifically NANPA
posted by zeoslap at 2:03 PM on October 14, 2002

The nice thing about having a copy of the full LERG is that it includes the test-numbers for every listed switch, and since most switches are configured with defaults, in a security-through-obscurity-mode, there's all sorts of fun you can do.

Assuming you want to have Mitnik-like tour of the federal penal system.
posted by nomisxid at 2:39 PM on October 14, 2002

If you're looking for one in the UK, then try the datastore at rshost (blatent plug).

It only gives you the area, because that's all you can get from reverse whatsiting a number in this country, but useful all the same.

Unfortunately, the map people I used have changed their image locations and I haven't bothered to change my page yet. Hohum.

Tell me if it's of any use...
posted by twine42 at 2:55 PM on October 14, 2002

damn...ran outta numbers to punch in
posted by Degaz at 6:37 PM on October 14, 2002