A reverse cell phone directory is a directory that allows you to search a database for an owner's details and private information by entering their cell phone number. This form of investigation can be a very useful tool if you need to discover and track down information about a harassing prank caller or find out who your significant other has been talking to behind your back.

You may even be dealing with a caller that could endanger you or your family, so a situation like this is when it would nice to have a free directory where you could easily trace where the call is coming from. Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that so-called free online reverse cell phone directories are not able to provide you with the results you really need. The directories that promise you they are offering owner details for free are very likely making a misleading claim. What these directories are really offering is information about land line phone numbers only.

Cellular numbers have generally been excluded from printed telephone books and directory assistance services. Someone made the wild leap of reasoning that the proposed creation of a cell phone directory was the equivalent of "giving your information to telemarketers" and began a chain of wildly inaccurate e-mails warning users to register with the National Do Not Call List in order to prevent this fate.

Another obstacle to a free database is the transitory life span of cell phone numbers -- they simply do not last long enough to make a current and up-to-date database possible. However, there are companies that focus on offering up-to-date directories for a small fee. They maintain impeccable databases by constantly renewing their information with data from all the major cellular carriers. Before you have to pay though, they will usually offer you the ability to search their database for free in order to see if the directory contains the information you want.