Here’s the thing about phone calls in Canada: it’s tough to know who to trust. Between robocalls about duct cleaning, CRA impersonation scams, and legitimate businesses trying to reach you, it’s become nearly impossible to tell what deserves your attention.
You’ve probably dealt with the frustration before. But did you know there’s an easy way to check this phone number before deciding whether to answer, block, or call back? This platform gives you access to CRTC telecom records, provincial area code databases, carrier registries, and community-generated info to help you out.scam warnings from Canadians who’ve dealt with the same caller you’re researching right now.
So when you’re asking who is calling me from some mysterious mobile number or landline, you’ll actually get useful answers. We can tell you which provider owns the number, if it’s been flagged for fraud (and how many times!), or even if it belongs to a registered Canadian business. Plus, you’ll see what happened when other folks picked up. Our phone number reverse search tools gather info from official sources and real user experiences – so no wild guesses from unreliable algorithms here!
Look up the number, see what others have to say, and make your decision with confidence. It’s that easy!
| Category | Details |
| Country | 🇨🇦Canada |
| Country Calling Code | +1 |
| National Trunk Prefix | 1 (used for domestic long-distance calls) |
| International Direct Dial (IDD) | 011 (used for calls outside North America) |
| Standard Number Format | +1 NPA NXX XXXX (international) / 1 NPA NXX XXXX (domestic) |
| Example Mobile Number | +1 416 555 7890 (domestic: 1-416-555-7890) |
| Example Landline Number | +1 604 555 1234 (domestic: 1-604-555-1234) |
| Area Codes (Geographic) | 204 (MB), 236 (BC), 403 (AB), 416 (ON), 514 (QC), 902 (NS) |
| Regulator | Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) |
| Notable Features | Part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP); 10-digit local dialing; widespread number portability; toll-free 800/888/877 prefixes. |
Canadian Phone Number Types
Figuring out what kind of phone number is calling you can save you from a world of regret—or at least an awkward scam call. Canadian numbers come in all shapes and sizes: mobile, landline, VoIP, toll-free, or the dreaded premium-rate. Knowing the difference? That’s your secret weapon for avoiding surprise fees and dodgy calls.
What to do:
- First, figure out the number’s prefix or code.
- Then, match it up with the types we’ve got in the table below.
- Use that info to help you decide if you should answer, ignore, or just block the call.
| Number Type | Prefix / Range | Description |
| Landline (Geographic) | Standard area codes (e.g., 204, 416, 514, 604) | Fixed-line numbers tied to specific provinces or cities. |
| Mobile | Shares same prefixes as landlines | Mobile numbers are identified by carrier database, not prefix. |
| VoIP / Internet-Based | Varies | Used by services like Skype, Zoom, or business phone systems. |
| Toll-Free | 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, 888 | Free for the caller; often used by customer support lines. |
| Premium-Rate | 900 | High-cost services like entertainment or voting lines. |
| Short Codes | 2–6 digits (e.g., 611, 911) | Used for customer care or emergency services. |
Overview of Canada’s Leading Wireless Carriers
Did you know that each Canadian mobile number used to belong to a specific phone company? While you can now take your number with you to a new provider, knowing who it originally belonged to can still be handy. It’s especially useful if you’re trying to figure out who’s calling or if a business is legitimate.
Most mobile prefixes in Canada are shared among the big players like Bell Mobility, Rogers Wireless, and Telus Mobility. You’ll also find some smaller regional networks, like SaskTel or Eastlink.
Who is calling you:
- Note the first three digits after the area code.
- Match it with the likely operator range.
- If unsure, check against carrier databases for the most current assignment.
| Prefix (Example) | Original Operator | Coverage Area |
| 204-XXX | Bell MTS | Manitoba |
| 236-XXX | Telus Mobility | British Columbia |
| 289-XXX | Rogers Wireless | Ontario |
| 343-XXX | Bell Mobility | Ontario |
| 403-XXX | Telus Mobility | Alberta |
| 416-XXX | Rogers Wireless | Toronto |
| 450-XXX | Videotron | Quebec |
| 506-XXX | Bell Aliant | New Brunswick |
| 587-XXX | Telus / Bell | Alberta |
| 647-XXX | Rogers / Bell | Greater Toronto Area |
Canada’s Regional Landline Codes
Canada’s area codes are part of a bigger system called the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), which makes it easy to trace a number’s origin. By getting familiar with these codes, you can quickly tell if a call is from a local business, another province, or even a potential scammer faking their location.
What to do:
- Take a look at the first three digits of the phone number—that’s the area code.
- Find the matching province or region in the list below.
- See if the location makes sense with who the caller says they are.
| Area Code | Province / Region | Common Sub-Prefixes | Example Number | Major Cities / Areas |
| 204 | Manitoba | 204-2XX to 204-9XX | 204-555-1234 | Winnipeg, Brandon |
| 236 | British Columbia | 236-3XX to 236-9XX | 236-555-6789 | Vancouver, Victoria |
| 289 | Ontario | 289-1XX to 289-9XX | 289-555-4321 | Hamilton, Niagara |
| 306 | Saskatchewan | 306-2XX to 306-9XX | 306-555-8765 | Regina, Saskatoon |
| 403 | Alberta | 403-2XX to 403-9XX | 403-555-9876 | Calgary |
| 416 | Ontario | 416-2XX to 416-9XX | 416-555-4567 | Toronto |
| 450 | Quebec | 450-3XX to 450-9XX | 450-555-2345 | Laval, Longueuil |
| 506 | New Brunswick | 506-2XX to 506-9XX | 506-555-8901 | Moncton, Fredericton |
| 514 | Quebec | 514-2XX to 514-9XX | 514-555-6789 | Montreal |
| 604 | British Columbia | 604-3XX to 604-9XX | 604-555-1111 | Vancouver |
| 709 | Newfoundland & Labrador | 709-2XX to 709-9XX | 709-555-2222 | St. John’s |
| 780 | Alberta | 780-3XX to 780-9XX | 780-555-3333 | Edmonton |
| 902 | Nova Scotia / PEI | 902-2XX to 902-9XX | 902-555-4444 | Halifax, Charlottetown |
Recommended Tools for Canadian Reverse Phone Lookups
Reverse lookup tools cross-reference multiple data sources — telecom databases, spam complaint registries, and business directories — to identify callers. These resources help you verify unknown numbers, report scams, or confirm business legitimacy.
How to use this table:
- Enter the number you want to check.
- Compare results between official and community-driven sources.
- Report suspicious or fraudulent numbers when found.
| Tool / Website | Type | Description |
| Scannero.io/reverse-number-lookup | Reverse lookup tool | Global number search tool offering carrier and spam detection data. |
| Canada411.ca | Official directory | Nationwide phone and address lookup for individuals and businesses. |
| CRTC Complaint Database | Government registry | Official resource to report telemarketing and scam calls. |
| WhoCallsMe.com | Community-based | User-reported spam and scam number database. |
| Tellows.ca | Community-based | Canadian spam and fraud report site. |
| 411.ca | Business directory | Find registered Canadian businesses by phone number. |
How Reverse Phone Lookups Work
When you do a reverse phone lookup in Canada, you’re basically searching through connected databases that store and match millions of records. These include telecom directories, subscriber data, public listings, and even user-reported spam numbers. Here’s how it usually works:
- Collecting data: Lookup services gather info from trusted sources like telecom providers, regulatory databases, and online directories. Some even include publicly shared details like business contacts or user submissions.
- Processing the search: Once you type in a number, the system quickly checks multiple databases to find any matching profiles or regional details.
- Showing the results: You’ll get whatever info is available — such as a name, location, business name, or carrier. Advanced tools might even show extra details like related accounts or what type of line it is (mobile, VoIP, or landline).
Why Different Tools Show Different Results
Just keep in mind that how often the data sources are updated really makes a difference. If a number is new or recently changed, it might not show up right away. Watch out for caller ID spoofing, that’s when scammers pretend to be legitimate numbers, which can sometimes throw off your results. This can help set realistic expectations, so you’re not caught off guard. Still, reverse lookups are a super reliable way to check out unknown numbers, and using comprehensive services like Scannero can help you get the freshest, most complete info out there!
Typical Scam and Spam Tactics Used in Canada
Want to protect yourself? The first step is knowing what to look out for. In Canada, scams often involve someone pretending to be from the government, a bank, or a delivery company. So, here are some common red flags to keep on your radar:
| Indicator | Type of Scam/Spam | Example Format | Comment / Recommendation |
| +1 613 / +1 866 numbers | CRA (tax) impersonation | +1 613 555 6789 | The Canada Revenue Agency never requests payments over the phone. |
| 1-900 numbers | Premium-rate call scam | 1-900-555-1234 | Avoid calling unknown 900 numbers — they incur charges. |
| Spoofed local prefixes (e.g., 416, 604) | Caller ID spoofing | +1 604 555 9876 | Scammers fake local numbers to build trust. |
| +1 800 or 888 numbers sending texts | Toll-free SMS phishing | +1 800 123 4567 | Toll-free numbers don’t send personal texts — report these. |
| Unknown foreign numbers (+225, +44) | Wangiri callback fraud | +225 678 901 234 | Never call back missed international numbers. |
| Fake bank verification calls | Financial phishing | +1 905 555 6789 | Hang up and call your bank using the number on your card. |
Here are some friendly tips to help you avoid scam and spam calls:
- Hang up right away if you get a call from “CRA” or “Service Canada” asking for money or personal info. They’d never demand payment or threaten arrest over the phone.
- Don’t call back missed international numbers, especially if they have weird country codes (like +225, +234, or +44). These are often “Wangiri” scams trying to charge you a fortune per minute.
- Be wary of local numbers that seem familiar. Scammers often ‘spoof’ caller IDs to make it look like they’re calling from your area (like 416 or 604) to seem trustworthy.
- Never press any keys during robocalls. Even pressing “1 to unsubscribe” just tells them your number is active, and you’ll probably get more spam.
- Absolutely never share banking info, your SIN, or verification codes over the phone. Real banks, phone companies, or government offices will never ask for that kind of sensitive information.
Free Public Telephone Directories in Canada
Want to check phone numbers using official, free resources? Good news! Canada has some really reliable directories available. These platforms give you verified info for residential, business, and telecom numbers. They’re perfect for confirming if a number actually belongs to a company, a service, or just an individual. And unlike those paid lookup tools, these free sources really focus on being accurate, private, and trustworthy.
You can use them to:
- See if a number is listed in an official Canadian directory.
- Double-check a business’s legitimacy or their contact details.
- Cross-reference any suspicious numbers that might have been reported as scams.
| Directory | Type | Purpose |
| Canada411.ca | Official directory | Find registered residential and business phone numbers. |
| 411.ca | Business directory | Verify local business numbers and contact details. |
| CRTC Do Not Call List | Government registry | Register or check your number to avoid telemarketing calls. |
| WhoCallsMe.com | Community-based | Check user reports of spam or scam calls. |
| Tellows.ca | Community-based | Find community-rated spam numbers and safety warnings. |