How to Trace a Cell Phone SMS

1. Collect the sender's phone number from your cellular phone. In most cellular phones, this information is clearly visible while you are viewing the text message.
2. Enter the phone number into Google. This is a great way to do a rudimentary trace of a phone number. If the number in question has ever been published on the web or is related to a business, you will uncover that information.
3. Conduct a database search for the phone number. There are many free database look-up services on the Internet, such as Zabasearch.com.
4. Conduct a public records database search. These reports are usually more accurate and detailed, but will cost you some money for the report. Examples of these services are Accurint, US Search and LexisNexis.