Cell phone history is the document that records incoming and outgoing calls that a cell phone service provider maintains. Obtaining your call history is relatively easy. However, it can be much more difficult to obtain a person's call history (such as a family member or spouse whom you suspect is unfaithful). This article will explain how you should proceed if you need to obtain this document.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Access your cell phone's call history
Step 1. Verify your account statements
If you receive a monthly receipt, it will likely include a call and text history for the last billed cycle.
- If you don't need the call history yet, but feel like you might use it in the future, keep it in a safe place.
- The history should include some basic information, including the date of the call, the time it was made, the duration, and (in some cases) any special features that were activated during that call (for example, the recording of the incoming call.).
Step 2. Look at the history online
Most cell phone companies allow you to access the same information online that you would get on any physical receipt, but you must have an online account.
- Sign up for an account on your phone service provider's website if you haven't already done so. You will need to create a username (some companies will allow you to use your phone number or an email address) and a password. The process can be sped up if you have your account information on hand.
- After logging in, look for options such as a tab labeled "Call Details" or "Call History." If such options are not available on the initial screen, you will have to search for titles that include a word like "Usage." However, you should understand that some proxy servers will only give you outgoing call information. If you need a complete phone history, including incoming calls (which many plans have stopped charging) then your usage history is not necessary.
Step 3. Contact your phone service provider
If you've lost the history they sent you or can't locate it online, your best option is to contact your service provider. They are required by law to maintain the records and must provide them to anyone who proves they are the primary account holder.
- Be prepared to provide the personal information that the customer service representative will ask for in identifying your account, including your account number, cell phone number, current address, and possibly the last four digits of your insurance number. Social.
- Because your service provider gives you that information on a monthly statement, they may charge you a fee for giving you this information again.
Step 4. Set a "trap"
If you are trying to identify who is responsible for the pushy robocalls or who your telephone stalker is, but the caller's number is only listed as "unknown," they may have blocked your caller ID. The number will not appear in most call histories. In this case, contact the phone company and ask them to put a "cheat" on your phone. This will identify all the numbers that call you and unblock your caller ID. The number will no longer appear in your call history as "unknown" and you will be able to identify the person responsible.
Method 2 of 2: Access someone else's call history
Step 1. Understand the legal limits
If an account isn't linked to your name, you can't easily get anyone's call history (even your spouse's). If you obtain the history without the consent of the account holder, it will remain inadmissible as evidence in court.
Step 2. Check the history on the account statements you have received
If a person makes harassing phone calls or you suspect that someone who shares your phone plan is making inappropriate calls, a call history should appear on your phone statement.
Often times, the history you receive will be divided between incoming and outgoing calls. Less organized histories will show all calls together, but a list of incoming and outgoing numbers will still appear
Step 3. Search the history online
Again, the phone company should have a complete history of incoming and outgoing calls made to or by someone on your cell phone plan. Whether you're trying to identify a bully or protect your children and your spouse, the phone company should have the track record that can help you.
- You may need to first create an online account to access the history on the phone service provider's website.
- After logging in, look for options like a tab labeled "Call Details" or "Call History."
Step 4. Contact the phone service provider
If they can't find another way, ask for a new copy of the record. They are required by law to maintain the records and must provide them to anyone who can prove they are the primary account holder.
Be prepared to provide personal information that will assist the customer service representative in identifying your account, including your account number, your cell phone number, your current home address, and possibly the last four digits of your social security number
Step 5. Obtain the record through a subpoena
The telephone history of a separated spouse can be obtained by subpoenaing them in court litigation. This is the legal method of obtaining call history that your attorney can use in court litigation.
- You can only request call history as part of a court process (that is, through litigation or divorce). Generally, the subpoena must be approved by a judge, although this differs depending on the type of proceedings.
- Instead of obtaining a subpoena, you can purchase the call history of a data agent, who will charge you a commission to obtain it. Often times, these data brokers operate businesses of questionable legality (depending on the methods they use to obtain the history) and their interventions are often not admitted in court.