Deal with anyone who has promised anything for free, like “free cell phone number search”
Buy anything without comparing prices-prices range from $45-$175 for the same info. Also, look out for those offering impossibly low prices (we have seen a number of sites promising cell phone search info for $19.95 and even $14.95–none of them legitimate.

Make a purchase without knowing what you’re getting. Never buy from anyone who admits to using a database (there is no cell phone database!). Deal with anyone that does not disclose exactly what they are going to provide. Many companies make vague promised based on your expectations, but deliver only useless info such as the name of the cell phone carrier

Give a dime to any company that does not promise accurate, verified information

That said, it should be noted that no one is going to provide you with accurate cell phone search information without doing an actual investigation into the number you provide. Anyone even hinting at a cell phone number directory, or any similar nonsense is trying to rip you off.

These are the more common scams and ruses. An exhaustive list of what to look for is beyond the scope of this article. Consumers are urged to use common sense when dealing with any web-based company.

By Jim Z Stewart