Google Voice is one of the best ways for individuals and businesses to receive calls and texts through an app or web browser without needing cellular service. At its core, Google Voice is a voice-over-internet protocol (VOIP) service that enables you to create a phone number and make calls and texts through your Google account. Plus, it comes loaded with other features like spam blocking, voicemail transcription, and much more.
So, can a Google Voice number be traced? This article answers that question and takes you through what you need to know about this popular VOIP service.
What Is a Google Voice Number?
Before we get into whether or not these numbers are traceable, it’s important to know what a Google Voice number is and how it works. Google Voice numbers are phone numbers you get from Google Voice, which is a service that allows you to receive phone calls, text messages, and voicemail through the Google Voice app or even your web browser.
Unlike a traditional phone number, Google Voice numbers are provided by a voice-over-internet protocol (VOIP). Essentially, instead of the number being tied to a phone company and cellular service from a tower, VOIPs make and receive calls, texts, and voicemails over the internet using WiFi.
Features of a Google Voice Number
Google Voice numbers come with a lot of features that you don’t always get from your average phone service provider, so understanding them can help you determine if it’s the route you want to go. Learn more about the features of Google Voice numbers below.
● Call Forwarding: You can have callers who call your Google Voice number sent to a different phone number, like your phone, if you want to.
● Multiple Device Access: Unlike some other VOIP services, Google Voice is available on a wide range of devices.
● Voicemail Transcription: Don’t feel like listening to your voicemail? Google Voice transcribes it in text for you.
● Call Blocking: Google Voice helps you block spam callers and other callers you don’t want to take calls from.
Like other VOIPs, Google Voice also offers call history and free texting and calling in the United States and Canada.
Unlike phone numbers provided by phone companies, Google doesn’t publish information about users of their Google Voice service, so that makes it hard to trade the number with standard tools. That said, these numbers aren’t impossible to trace, and law enforcement and even businesses or individuals can trace a Google Voice number with the right tools.
Google does use security measures and takes great pride in keeping their customer’s information private, so you just have to work a little harder.
How to Trace a Google Voice Number
Tracing a Google Voice number isn’t as easy as tracing a phone number from a cellular service provider but that doesn’t mean you don’t have options. Learn about the best methods for tracing a Google Voice number below.
Subpoena
One of the most efficient ways for a Google Voice number to be traced is to use a subpoena or by linking the number to illegal activity. In these cases, you can contact the authorities and they’ll attempt to trace the number for you. While you might not have access to what they find, it can stop them from calling, threatening, or otherwise harassing you.
Information.com
If you want to find information about someone’s Google Voice number, one of the best tools you can leverage is Information.com’s phone number reverse lookup. You can enter the phone number directly into this tool to learn more about a caller and within the full report that the platform creates you can discover their name, location, business name, and much more.
Don’t know their number but know their name? No problem, because if you spoke with someone or have a voicemail from someone and they give you their name you can enter it into Information.com’s people search tool to learn more about them.
Find More Information About Google Voice Numbers Today!
Google Voice does a great job at protecting their user’s privacy, so tracing a phone number may be more challenging. That said, it’s not impossible if you know how to go about it.
The good news is that you can always contact the authorities if you’re being harassed and they’ll do all the hard work for you. What’s more, if you know someone’s name or phone number you can get creative and try a tool like Information.com to learn more about a caller.
