Reverse lookups are not limited to phone numbers

Probably the most common type of reverse lookup is reverse cell phone lookup. In addition, there are also companies that offer reverse address lookups, email address searches as well as people searches. People searches can be as simple as searching for the address and phone number of a person whose name you know of or as sophisticated as digging up detailed background info of a person for employment or criminal background check purposes.

Reverse email address lookups may not be very accurate

Address lookups and reverse address lookups have been around for a long time, however, reverse email address searches is obviously one that was introduced relatively recently. Unfortunately, a reverse email look up may not be as accurate as a mailing address lookup or telephone number search. That is because people have the freedom of opening almost unlimited email addresses on various email providers such as Yahoo, Gmail and Hotmail, to name just a few. On top of that, you also don't need to include your true name when you're opening an email address. You can be discreet or as open as you want. This definitely doesn't help for reverse email lookups. I personally have two phone numbers, one, my home phone number and the other my cell number. But I have about a half dozen email addresses, three of them have my real name and address while the others don't have my real details. So if someone does a reverse cell phone number search on my cell or home phone numbers, they will get accurate results while if someone does a reverse email lookup, there is a 50% chance that they will get fake results.

Prank callers vs prank email senders

Given that you cannot register a home phone or mobile phone if and whenever you please, compared to an email address, if one is to send you prank emails, the chances are that he/she will create a fake email address with fake details and you can never get accurate results with a reverse email look up on such an email. In contrast, reverse lookup of an prank caller is bound to lead you to the right phone owner, even if the caller used somebody else's telephone.

How about address lookups?

Again, similar to phone number lookups, an address lookup is bound to be accurate. It's not like people can change houses or change addresses at will, unlike in the case of opening an email account. However, if you're dealing with a high level criminal, the chances are he or she can manipulate just about anything and is likely to use a fake identity, fake phone number and a fake address. But what are the chances of you and I coming across such a criminal? Let the FBI deal with that :)

All in all, the message I wanted to convey with this was that the only reverse lookup that exists is not reverse cell phone lookup. Sure, it is most likely the most common type of reverse search, however other types of reverse lookups such as reverse address and reverse email lookup searches are run everyday. We will talk about people searches and background checks another day.