Ever wondered if someone can trace you just from a phone number or IP address? The short answer is yes. But how it works, and how far it can go, depends on the tools used and the digital trail left behind.
At Rexxfield, our investigators have spent nearly twenty years uncovering who’s behind anonymous calls, spoofed messages, and hidden IP addresses. Even when someone thinks they’ve covered their tracks, they usually leave behind just enough to follow.
Can a Private Investigator Trace a Phone Number?
Yes. It is possible to trace a phone number, even if it is a burner or VoIP line. We do it regularly.
In one case, our client was receiving anonymous threats through text messages. Using a combination of passive monitoring and lawful engagement, we traced the number to the device sending them. We linked it with IP data and social media metadata. It turned out the messages were coming from the client’s estranged partner. The evidence we collected held up in court and directly impacted custody decisions.
Phone numbers often appear anonymous, but they still connect to apps, user behavior, or older logins. Even if someone changes numbers, there are usually digital fingerprints that remain consistent. With the right approach, they can be found and matched.
Contact our cyber investigators for a free review of your case
What Are the Most Common VoIP Numbers We Encounter?
In many of our investigations, especially those involving harassment or impersonation, we come across phone numbers that are not tied to traditional carriers. These are VoIP numbers, and they are commonly used to hide identities because they are easy to create, often free, and usually not linked to a verified address. Still, they leave digital trails that can be followed.
– TextNow
TextNow is one of the most frequently used apps for anonymous communication. It allows users to create numbers without showing identification and is popular in harassment cases. While these numbers are hard to trace directly, they often connect to other accounts or actions that can be tracked.
– Google Voice 
Google Voice numbers are tied to Google accounts, which adds a layer of complexity. However, when users sign up, they leave behind metadata and may connect their accounts to recovery emails or devices. This information can become critical when combined with other data points.
– Burner and Sideline Apps
Apps like Burner and Sideline allow users to create temporary or secondary numbers for personal or business use. While they market themselves for privacy, these numbers still interact with devices, apps, and platforms in ways that can be traced if handled properly.
– TextFree / Pinger
These apps are common in scam and harassment situations. They’re easy to set up and do not require much information. However, their connections to apps or services often provide the clues we need when combined with other digital evidence.
– WhatsApp or Telegram Registered with VoIP
Some users try to create messaging accounts on WhatsApp or Telegram using VoIP numbers instead of real SIMs. This tactic is often used to avoid linking a real phone number to an account. Even so, metadata from app interactions or reused details can lead back to a real identity.
What About IP Addresses?
IP addresses can reveal even more. They often point to a region, a device, and sometimes the network used.
We’ve written before about how IPs show up in email headers, social media logins, and interaction metadata. A lot of people rely on VPNs or think their proxy is enough. But patterns in IP behavior, connection timing, and device configuration can still give them away.
Even when an IP is masked, our investigators use a combination of device signatures, connection history, and metadata that help narrow the scope. Once we have a target IP, we can determine if a subpoena is even necessary.
Tools That Help Tell the Full Story
Traces are rarely solved with one clue. Here are some of the tools and techniques that help connect the dots:
- Metadata: Email headers, login details, and file info often carry location, IP, and device tags.
- Device signatures: A unique combination of browser versions, operating system, screen size, and behavior habits can be used like a fingerprint.
- Social engineering: This includes structured interaction that encourages a suspect to click a link or respond in a way that reveals useful data.
- Cross-platform OSINT: Matching bios, usernames, writing style, or timing across different platforms can show connections between anonymous and known accounts.
These techniques build a digital trail. Once enough pieces come together, you can usually trace the activity back to a real person.
Are We Just Guessing?
Not at all. Rexxfield’s success rate in identifying anonymous users is between 80 and 90 percent. When a client brings us a phone number or IP address, we do not rely on speculation. We track behavior, analyze metadata, and collect court-admissible evidence. If there is a suspect in mind, we can rule them in, or rule them out, based on objective data.
What About Subpoenas? 
We use subpoenas only when necessary. Our goal is to gather as much evidence as possible before legal steps are taken.
If needed, a subpoena can force a company like Google or X to hand over user data such as IP logs, login history, or email addresses. But the process comes with drawbacks. Platforms are required to notify users, giving them time to challenge the request or delete their accounts. You will also need a lawyer, and in some cases, subpoenas need to be reissued through California courts, which can delay everything and add legal fees.
That’s why we prefer to collect enough digital evidence beforehand. If we can isolate a device or location through IPs or login patterns, then any subpoena that follows will be targeted and harder to fight. We often support clients by pinpointing where and when the data was created, so legal teams can act with precision.
For more background on how subpoenas work, you can refer to resources like Nolo or the U.S. Courts system.
Need Help Tracing a Phone Number or IP Address?
Tracing a phone number or IP address can help stop harassment, defend your reputation, or prove a point in court. You do not need to accept anonymous abuse or false accusations just because the person used a fake profile or number.
We’ve seen it all: from burner phones and encrypted browsers to anonymous social media trolls. Our investigators use legal tools, technical experience, and intuition to turn confusion into clarity.
If you’re dealing with threats, impersonation, or anonymous harassment, Rexxfield can help. Our cyber investigators specialize in identifying the person behind anonymous communications. We provide fast, confidential assessments and offer support every step of the way.
Contact our cyber investigators for a free review of your case
