Sometimes the truth is difficult to find online. Today, while researching some phone numbers I read an article on a major, trusted website that stated that it is not possible to search for the owners of unlisted phone numbers using the Internet. I had to refute this misguided claim because I know better.

Yes, it is true that if you choose to have your phone non-listed that it will not and cannot be listed in traditional phonebooks or white pages. This does not, however, prevent it from showing up in paid reverse telephone directories online not run by the phone companies. These companies get their information from outside institutions.

The most common way these services obtain their data is through credit reporting bureaus. Credit bureaus are the companies that compile and report borrowers credit scores. Anytime you apply for a loan or credit card, you supply your contact information and number - no matter if it is listed or not - to the lending company. The lending company in turn shares it with the credit reporting agency. This is allowed because it is disclosed in the lender's disclosures you sign.

These companies compile this data and have it available to lending companies, skip tracers and private investigators who need it. In the past, it was pretty expensive to access therefore only available to these corporations and investigation firms. However, with the age of the Internet now upon us, it has become cheaper to provide this data to the masses. There is huge demand for people search engines and online background check services therefore these companies have stepped up and supplied to data to fill this demand.

One thing to keep in minds if you choose to search for a non-listed or cell phone number is that not all of them will be included. Typically, somewhere in the neighborhood of 90 percent or more of unlisted numbers and 70 percent or so of mobile phone numbers will be contained in the databases. It is also important to note that not all of the data will be correct. This happens because the information in the database might be several years old.

If you need to reverse search or trace an unlisted telephone number, you want to visit a reputable service. There are a number of them available today. It will normally run you $10 to $20 to search for a number and sometimes less if you intend to use the service often and pay a membership fee.

In closing, I hope this article dispels the myths that you cannot trace the owner of a non-listed phone number or cellular number using the Internet. You most certainly can be successful most of the time. Good luck with your search!