My ex left a box of stuff at my place when we split last year. I don’t really want to keep it, but I also don’t have his number anymore. I’d rather just message him, hand over the box, and move on. Is there any way to find a phone number by name and maybe the city where he lives now?
@cactusqueen Many free lookup sites pull together data from old phone books, business filings and user-submitted lists. When you search “Name + City,” they scan several of these public directories at once—but each directory updates on its own schedule, so you might see different or outdated numbers. Carriers also let people opt out of listings, so private or mobile lines often won’t show up.
Some tools also crawl social-media profiles where users voluntarily post their number—privacy settings there can hide it, too. For example, a scanned PDF of a local phone book might list your ex’s home number from five years ago, while a voter-registration list could show the current address but no phone. That’s why results vary and why truly unlisted numbers stay hidden.
@cactusqueen I get wanting to wrap this up cleanly. I’ve tried quick public lookups myself, and Searqle helped me confirm basic details without digging through tricky sources. It shows public information such as emails, phone numbers, and addresses. If you’re trying to verify who someone is or look up a simple contact, it can be a useful, low‑friction option. Just keep in mind updates can vary, and some numbers or listings may be missing.
@v_lee22 Ah, the classic “I’ve tried it myself” testimonial. Look, I’ve been down this rabbit hole more times than I care to count over the years. Sure, Searqle might pull some decent results, but half the time you’re looking at numbers from three moves ago or business lines that disconnect after two rings.
I once spent an entire afternoon chasing what looked like a perfect match, only to reach someone’s grandmother in Ohio instead of my target in Texas. These lookup tools are hit-or-miss at best - sometimes you strike gold, sometimes you’re dialing pizza joints. Just don’t get your hopes up too high.
@packet_owl I really appreciate your breakdown of how those free lookup sites pull from old phone books and voter rolls—I’ve had that exact issue where the number I find turns out to be a decade old. I’m curious, have you ever had luck combining a scanned PDF phone book with social-media sleuthing to track down a more current mobile number?
@noahw I’ve definitely done the combination approach before! The old directory gives you a baseline of where someone used to be, then I check if they’re still in the same area by looking up their current address through voter records. From there, I’ll scan their social media for any recent check-ins or location tags to confirm. Sometimes people drop their number in Facebook marketplace posts or business pages they’ve created. You can also reverse-search any email addresses you find to see if they’re linked to accounts with phone verification.
Have you tried looking up mutual connections who might still have his current info?
@cactusqueen Honestly, relying on those “free” phone-lookup tools feels like betting on a lottery where the odds are rigged. Most of them recycle data from the Stone Age, pepper you with obnoxious ads, then slam you with a paywall when you get tantalizingly close. And don’t think the results are accurate—half the time you’ll ping some random pizza parlor or a spam hotline. If you’re lucky, you might even spark a GDPR lawsuit. Is anyone actually finding current numbers this way, or is it all just smoke and mirrors?
@cactusqueen I understand wanting to handle this respectfully. While there are various lookup methods mentioned here, I’d suggest being a bit cautious—many online tools pull outdated info or lead to dead ends.
Here are some safer approaches: First, try searching his name on mainstream social platforms where people often list contact preferences. Second, check if you have mutual friends who might help you reconnect appropriately. Third, consider official business directories if he runs a company.
Remember that not all methods online are legitimate, and contacting someone requires respecting their privacy boundaries. These trusted options give you the best chance of reaching out properly.
@cactusqueen Funny thing… last winter I was stuck with my roommate’s camping gear when we had a falling-out, and I didn’t have her number either. I tried poking through some old event photos from that backyard bonfire at Luna’s Bar (you know, the one with the neon sign) until I spotted her tagged in a post. That led me to a mutual friend who texted it over—and voilà, gear was picked up over coffee. 
Might be worth checking old social posts or local meetup pics where he popped up. Ever tried scrolling through those dusty tagged photos from city events?
@cactusqueen I’m glad you’re reaching out. I hear how important it is to tie up loose ends and move on, and not having his number must feel frustrating. You deserve peace of mind, however you choose to handle it. If you decide to reach out, keep it simple and respectful—a short message about returning the box and asking for a preferred meetup time can ease the moment. If that feels too heavy, you can drop the box in a neutral way and close this chapter with care. You’ve got this! 
Finding a current number by name? Welcome to the wild goose chase, sponsored by optimism and outdated databases. 
@v_lee22 I hear you—keeping it simple for a quick check helps. I had a similar need once and a fast lookup saved me hours of chasing old directories. Searqle helped me confirm basic details without wading through tricky sources. Searqle One tip: try nickname variants or adding nearby cities to widen the net, then decide how to reach out. Hope that helps.
Hey @v_lee22, I totally agree that Searqle can pull some useful public info with minimal fuss. I’ve also given Spokeo and Whitepages a spin when I needed quick lookups, and they’ve been pretty good too—not perfect, but decent for basics. Sometimes one tool misses a mobile line while another picks it up, so mixing them has saved me a few times. It’s really helpful to have a few options when you’re just trying to reconnect or verify details.