6 Best Ways on How to Find Out Who Owns a VoIP Number (Fast & Easy Lookup)

VoIP numbers are everywhere. They’re cheap to set up, easy to throw away, and unfortunately, often used by scammers. If you’ve received a suspicious call or want to know who’s behind a number, you’ll quickly learn that tracing a VoIP number isn’t as straightforward as you’d expect.

But it is possible—with the right tools. Here’s how to find out who owns a VoIP number quickly using Searchbug, without getting lost in technical workarounds.

Can You Actually Trace a VoIP Number?  

Yes, but not in the way most people expect.

Caller ID won’t help much. That’s because VoIP numbers can show a fake name or caller identity on your screen. What most people don’t realize is that caller ID only scratches the surface. There’s something else called CNAM (Caller Name)—a deeper data point that’s harder to fake.

Problem is, CNAM doesn’t show up on most phones unless your carrier supports it. So if you’re only relying on what pops up when your phone rings, you’re not seeing the whole picture.

To trace a VoIP number properly, you need tools that can access:

• CNAM records
• Phone number type (VoIP, mobile, landline)
• Carrier details
• Line status (active, inactive, ported)

6 Best Ways to Find Out Who Owns a VoIP Number  

Here’s a quick rundown of effective methods to identify the owner behind a VoIP number—whether you’re dealing with one suspicious call or hundreds of unknown contacts.

1. Identify the Caller with a Reverse Phone Lookup   

Reverse phone lookups are often the most direct way to identify who’s behind a VoIP number. This method pulls data from multiple telecom and public record sources to show the name, address, and other linked details of the number’s owner. It’s especially useful when dealing with repeat callers or when a suspicious number could impact your business or safety.

Once you’re ready to proceed, use a platform that pulls from verified data sources. With the right lookup tool, you’ll instantly get:

• Owner’s name (business or person)
• Address linked to the number
• Phone type (VoIP, mobile, landline)
• Possibly an email, depending on what’s available

It takes seconds. You don’t need technical skills or subscriptions. And for under $1 per lookup, it’s much cheaper than wasting time guessing.  

Using a reverse phone lookup tool usually costs less than a dollar per search. It’s the best option if you have a few phone numbers to reverse.

However, businesses and anyone with a huge list of phone numbers to check should use a batch append service. A batch append gets the same information as a reverse phone lookup, but you can lookup phone numbers in bulk. So, this method is much more efficient for businesses, especially those using a Business Phone System to manage high volumes of calls and contact data.

If you’re dead set on getting a VOIP lookup for free, there are a few things you can do.

2. Check Phone Line Type First

Not sure if the number is VoIP to begin with? A phone validation tool can help confirm the following:

• The phone’s line type (VoIP, mobile, landline)

• The carrier name

• Whether it’s listed on Do Not Call registries

This step helps you decide whether to bother with a full lookup or skip it. If the number’s a VoIP from an unknown carrier, that’s already a red flag.

3. Verify Multiple Numbers Using Batch Append  

If you work with dozens—or thousands—of numbers, running them one by one doesn’t make sense. A batch append lookup service can make things faster and more efficient. By uploading a CSV file, you can retrieve key details like:

• Owner names
• Linked addresses
• Phone type and carrier
• Available emails

This tool is typically used by businesses and proven great for real estate agents, collection agencies, call centers, and skip tracers who handle bulk contact lists.

4. Request CNAM Info from Your VoIP Provider  

If the batch method doesn’t return enough detail or you want to double-check ownership, some VoIP services offer CNAM access.

Some VoIP providers let you request CNAM lookups. But there are a few hoops:

• You often need to be an active paying user
• CNAM requests might need a permissible-use reason (like reporting fraud)
• Caller ID spoofing can still mask real data

Even then, the results aren’t always useful if the number is newly registered or intentionally masked. Still, it’s an option to consider.

5. Capture CNAM and IP Data with a Softphone  

If you take VoIP calls through a softphone app (like Zoiper or Linphone), you can set it up to log call packets. With tools like Wireshark:

• Filter for SIP call initiation packets
• Look at the FROM field to find CNAM or originating IP

However, there is a catch. This method only works if you’re capturing calls in real time, so it won’t help with missed or past calls. It’s also more technical and usually used by IT teams. Some businesses integrate a CNAM API to identify incoming caller’s name.

6. Use IP Address Lookup When Available  

If an IP address tied to a VoIP call is available, you can use it to gather technical details about the connection’s origin by using an IP address lookup tool.

This will show:

• ISP name
• General location (city/state)
• Possibly the host or domain

You can also perform an IP WHOIS lookup, which shows the organization or administrator responsible for the IP address. This may help you determine who to contact if you’re investigating suspicious or unwanted activity.

While this won’t identify the caller by name, it may help you understand where the call is coming from and which service provider was used.

How to Report a Suspicious VoIP Number  

If you’re getting repeated calls or messages from a VoIP number you suspect is a scam:

• Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Contact your phone provider and flag the number
• Let local authorities know if threats or harassment are involved

 Tip: Keep a record of the calls or messages, including timestamps and screenshots if possible. It helps strengthen your case when reporting the incident.

Final Thoughts

Tracing a VoIP number might sound complicated, but it’s worth doing—especially when the same number keeps calling or your team needs solid contact data. Blocking spam isn’t enough when you’re handling real business calls or managing a large contact list.

If you’ve already tried looking up a VoIP number and didn’t get much back, don’t waste more time guessing. A professional lookup tool can do the heavy lifting for you. There are different Searchbug tools you can use to achieve your goal.

For individuals, you can run a single number using reverse phone lookup. For businesses, it’s best to upload a full list with the batch append service or integrate CNAM API to identify incoming caller. Whichever tool fits your needs, you’ll get fast, reliable results without the guesswork.

Start by testing the tools on numbers you already know. See what kind of data shows up. The more accurate your info is, the better your next decision will be. When scammers are getting smarter, you can’t afford to stay in the dark.