There are several reasons why someone might want to tap and track where a phone call came from. Whatever your reason, there are several options now available for tracking down both a landline or cell phone. Follow these tips and you should be able to actively track a phone in less than an hour.

This will tell you where this phone number originally came from, being that the Telecommunications Act of 1996 made it mandatory for phone companies to start porting numbers across the country (out of area code). This has made it more difficult to associate the location with the point of origin especially with cell phones. Still this is step one of finding where the call came from.

1. Go to Called.Com and enter the desired phone number and it will return the basic information regarding the phone number.
2. Review: Information of where the phone number originated is fairly accurate, for free thus far. Next step might cost a few dollars, but if this is important to you its worth the time and money.
3. If your goal is to put a name and address with the phone number that has been calling you, click on find Owner name on file link on Called.Com trace the phone number back to the person who pays the bill.
4. Review: Information of where and who the person is that pay the phone bill.
5. A cautionary mode must be in mind, you know what you know but you do not know who else has access to the phone. So keep your mind open if you pursue this any farther.

Tracking a cell phone is possible through several different methods. Consider your reasons for tracking the phone. Invasion of someone's privacy is rarely forgiven if you are caught and could be punishable by law. If you still insist on tracking someone, these steps should help.

1. Access the cell phone. In order to do the following steps, including loading software or installing a physical GPS chip, you will need access to the phone.
2. Load tracking software to the phone. If you are tracking your own cell phone because it was stolen, or you want to keep track of your kids location, consider a tracking program. There are several options of cell phone tracker, including where and Locate that allow users to download software from the Internet to the cell phone.
3. Install a GPS tracking to the cell phone. GPS chips come in varieties so small, often smaller than a dime, which can be inserted in the back of the phone while the user is not paying attention. Once the chip is inserted, it can be powered by the cell phone and is virtually undetectable. Signals can be monitored through a program on your PC. Check out this article for more guidance on how to install GPS tracking devices in cell phones. GPS tracking equipment is becoming amazingly inconspicuous.
4. Load GPS tracking software to your personal computer. In order to be able to track the cell phone, you need your computer to have compatible Software. Cell phone tracking programs often include links to Google or Mapquest so you can view the phone's location on a map. Software accuracy differs from being able to track the phone from within 100 feet to a few miles.
5. Activate the tracking system. Whichever form of tracking you use, it will have to be activated once it is installed. Follow the directions with your chosen software. Whenever possible, keep the phone with you until the service is activated. Some programs actually guard against cell phone trackers as well, sending a text message warning to the phone to indicate that a tracking program has been installed.