Tracing a phone number after a death threat?

[deeps]

Hi, does anyone know if it's possible to trace a phone number in the UK?

A friend had a death threat left on his answer phone today which he reported to the police, it's completely random and unfathomable to us why it should happen, but the caller didn't hide their number, so either he's dumb or wants to expose himself. Having listened to the message I'd opt for dumb, but he did use the correct surname so it has to be taken seriously. Is there any way I can trace the number? I googled the question and the answer seems to be no, but thought I'd ask the PH knowledge base

[fjord]

Contract phones - Yes, but will have to be done by the Police.

Payg phones - Unlikely, unless the payg account is registered, which most often i guess it's not. Maybe the provider can tell where the Payg sims were sent, but again this would be for the Police to find out.

[deeps]

Thanks fjord, it's dumber than that though, it was a local landline number, is there an online search that will give a name?

[deeps]

Btw he called the police first thing, the call happened at 07.30 and he hasn't been contacted back yet. It's probably a harmless idiot, but who wants to take the chance?

[simoid]

Phone the number back and claim to be from the Nigerian Lottery, looking to send a cheque, just need address...

[rpguk]

Phonebox? If it's a landline the police will certainly be able to locate the number. You could try googling it yourself too.

As some consolation I doubt a random 'death threat' has ever come to much. I think anyone serious would go straight for the kill! Nonetheless I'm sure it is very unsettling.

[deeps]

Haha he did phone the number but there was just silence.

[DanielSan]

If he gets another phone call supply the correct Layer Cake quote for the situation...

'Do you know where I live?'

'No?'

'Well fk off then'

[deeps]

Yes rpguk, that's what I said to him. Have Googlde but it comes up with nothing.

[rijmij99]

post the number! we'll all ring it and scare/annoy the fk out of him. i'm up till about 3am so that could be funny

[deeps]

Nice gesture, I'm tempted bit I daren't, it's not my place to, just looking for someone that knows how to trace numbers

[rijmij99]

try more than one search engine also have you checked the directory?

[Kentish]

http://www.ukphoneinfo.com/search.php?GNG=01303840...

this will tell you who their provider is and the area the call came from.

[Phunk]

Have you tried googling their number? It might appear from some eBay / Gumtree ads that they have posted.

[simoid]

Phunk said:

Have you tried googling their number? It might appear from some eBay / Gumtree ads that they have posted.

deeps already said:

Yes rpguk, that's what I said to him. Have Googlde but it comes up with nothing.

[Grenoble]

Report it to your new operator as well. They take a dim view of this and can block future calls.

It's one things BT actually do quite a good job of...

[Captain Muppet]

deeps said:

Haha he did phone the number but there was just silence.

Get him to phone the number from a phone number other than the one they call to issue death threats. Then they might say hello, like it was a normal call.