The evolution of telecommunication has brought about different kinds of phones that people use to communicate with each other. While we may primarily think of the smartphone when considering modern means of communication, it's important to recognize the other technologies that paved the way and continue to serve millions in the US and around the world. This article explains the three different types of phones you may see in our reverse phone lookup report: mobile, landline, and VOIP phones.
Mobile
You will see the phone type as mobile if the phone number is operated by a mobile telecommunication company such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc. This phone types is generally considered to be less fraudulent than other sources for several reasons:
- Robust Verification Processes: Before issuing a phone number, major carriers typically have a robust verification process in place. This often involves checking personal identification, credit checks, and sometimes even a security deposit, making it harder for scammers to obtain numbers.
- Anti-Fraud Measures: Large telecom companies invest heavily in infrastructure and technology to detect and prevent fraudulent activities. This includes monitoring for unusual patterns of activity, implementing anti-spoofing measures, and providing customers with tools to report and block suspected fraudulent calls.
- Number Lifecycles: When customers discontinue service, carriers often "age" phone numbers before reassigning them to new customers. This cooling-off period can reduce the chances of inheriting a number that may have been used fraudulently.
- Responsiveness to Abuse Reports: Larger telecoms generally have mechanisms in place to deal swiftly with reported abuses. If a number under their purview is flagged consistently for scammy or spammy behavior, they can investigate and potentially shut it down.
- Financial Viability: Scammers tend to move frequently and may not maintain financial stability. Major telecoms, with their more stringent credit check and billing procedures, might prove to be less attractive or accessible to such individuals.
Landline
Despite being overshadowed by mobile technology, landlines (Link to Wikipedia definition) have been a staple in households and businesses for over a century. These are either rotary phones or button-phones that are connected to the telephone company via a "wire" or a "cable". These are usually installed and maintained by large phone or cable companies around the US. These are mostly used today by businesses that need a fixed phone line with advanced voicemail and call forwarding features.
Historically, landlines have been associated with established residences or businesses. Since there's a physical location tied to each landline number, it often conferred a level of legitimacy.
While landline calls are not usually fraudulent, it's essential to maintain a level of caution with any unexpected or unfamiliar call, whether it's from a landline or mobile. If a call seems suspicious, it's always a good practice to hang up, verify the legitimacy separately, and avoid providing personal or financial information.
VOIP
VOIP technology allows for voice communications and multimedia sessions over the Internet. Essentially, anyone with access to internet is now able to leverage Apps (such as Google Voice) that are built using VOIP technology to get a phone number.
VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) phones are not inherently fraudulent. VOIP technology simply allows for voice communications and multimedia sessions over the Internet, offering a more flexible and often more affordable alternative to traditional telecommunication methods.
However, like any technology, VOIP can be used for both legitimate and malicious purposes. Here are some reasons why VOIP phones might be associated with fraudulent activities:
- Ease of Obtaining Numbers: It can be relatively easy and cheap to obtain and set up VOIP numbers, sometimes even from anonymous or non-traceable sources. This ease of access can make it attractive for scammers.
- Spoofing Capabilities: VOIP technology makes it easier to spoof phone numbers, meaning that a caller can make it appear as though they're calling from a different number than they actually are. This can be used maliciously to impersonate others or hide one's identity.
- Disposable Numbers: Some VOIP services allow users to easily discard and obtain new numbers, which can be useful for scammers trying to evade detection.
