In the News
This App Blocks IRS Scam Calls From Reaching You
An innovative way to battle fraudsters impersonating the IRS to steal millions from consumers is launching today in the form of a simple, free app. Whitepages, a 20-year-old company based in Seattle that actually has nothing to do with phone books, is releasing an update for its app that blocks suspected IRS scammers.
Microsoft Monday: Windows 10 Update Deletes Apps, Xbox One Longevity Plan, Minecraft For Oculus Rift
Last week, Whitepages announced that it has launched its Caller ID technology for Windows 10 Mobile. The app is called Whitepages ID and it is available for download in the Microsoft App Store now.
New App for Windows 10 Mobile Operating System: Whitepages ID
Back at the Mobile World Congress, Whitepages announced a partnership with Samsung which would provide Galaxy s7 users with a Whitepages Caller ID feature to help users identify unknown callers and protect them from Spam. Today, Whitepages has launched a similar experience for Windows 10 Mobile, the Whitepages ID app.
Is that Mystery Caller a Scammer? Galaxy S7 Will Tell You
About to buy the new Galaxy S7? Your contact list just got a whole lot bigger. Samsung and Whitepages are announcing a partnership that packs caller ID, spam and scam detection, and even a nearby business search directly into the native dialer, reports Engadget.
Caller ID is Making a Comeback on the Samsung Galaxy S7
The most interesting feature on the Samsung Galaxy S7 may not a better camera, or some new gimmick, but a piece of software that could change the way you take actual phone calls.
Today's Must-Reads For Entrepreneurs: Samsung Opens A Store Without Products
Samsung’s Galaxy S7 uses Whitepages to flag nuisance callers automatically: “Whitepages, a company that provides caller ID and spam detection in the US, has teamed up with Samsung to bake its services directly into the new flagship...
Whitepages Partners with Samsung to Pre-install Caller ID Software on Galaxy S7 Smartphones
Samsung is partnering with Whitepages to offer customers a spam-blocking caller ID feature for its new Galaxy S7 smartphone. Seattle-based Whitepages announced today that its caller ID and spam detection technology will come pre-installed on Galaxy S7 devices in 16 countries.
Samsung's Galaxy S7 Automatically Flags Nuisance Callers
Impressed by the Samsung Galaxy S7? Before you give a final verdict, there's one extra feature we think you should know about. Whitepages, a company that provides caller ID and spam detection in the US, has teamed up with Samsung to bake its services directly into the new flagship.
Big Data Uncovered: What Does A Data Scientist Really Do?
At our core, we are a data company, and it is this data that powers our many products and services. As our resident Chief Data Scientist, Dr. Steve Hanks leads the team that makes this magic happen. Learn how he does it in this article by big data expert Bernard Marr on Forbes.com.
Identify Unknown Callers with Whitepages ID for Windows 10 Mobile
Almost every person who uses a mobile phone, especially younger ones, had problems with unknown callers who bothered them. But now, you can see who called you, even if the number isn’t in your phonebook, with the new Whitepages ID app for Windows 10 Mobile.
Yes, there are people named Anakin Skywalker, according to Star Wars name data
Lots of dads can probably use the line, “Luke… I am your father” on their sons. But how many can say their name is actually Luke Skywalker? Eight, according to Whitepages data.
How to Prevent Phone Scams
Phone scams are sweeping the nation with the number of incidences increasing 55% in 2015 from the previous year. Whitepages CEO Alex Algard talks to Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo about how to prevent phone scams.
Scammers Dial for Dollars by Threatening Jail Time
A ringing phone too often is one just more sign of a scam. Uh oh, who is it now? The IRS demanding cash on the spot? A guy yelling at me and threatening to lock me up if I don't pay up?
Expect More Online Fraud as New Credit Cards Arrive
The new chip credit cards that shoppers are getting in their mailboxes may prevent criminals from stealing from stores, but many thieves are expected to move their operations online. Small businesses could be the most vulnerable.
Following Google’s lead, carriers and users can join in the fight against robocalls
Carriers can, and should, do more to combat robocalls says Jan Volzke, VP of reputation services for identity management firm Whitepages.
Whitepages on the Way Out? Not so Fast.
For some people, the phone books that automatically show up on the doorstep or in the mailbox are relics of the past. With the prevalence of smartphones and the Internet, using the white pages to look up someone’s phone number may seem obsolete, especially to digital-savvy generations.
Whose Line is it, Anyway?
This byline from Alex Algard explores the mobile phone number as the new personal identifier. When people banked, shopped, and communicated in person, identifying someone was pretty simple. Do they look like the picture on their driver’s license? It’s probably them. Not so much today.
Whitepages acquires phone spammer prevention startup NumberCop
Whitepages announced Wednesday it has acquired San Francisco startup NumberCop, which makes an app to monitor incoming calls and tell you if the caller is likely to be a spammer.
Whitepages reinforces scam-fighting tech with NumberCop acquisition
Seattle-based Whitepages has acquired NumberCop, a service that fights against phone scammers, robo-calls and SMS phishing. The San Francisco-based company’s technology will be incorporated into Whitepages’ existing Caller ID app.
Whitepages Acquires NumberCop To Improve Its Scam-Detecting Caller ID App
Whitepages will today announce the acquisition of San Francisco-based NumberCop, in order to bolster its own abilities in detecting spam and scam calls within its Caller ID smartphone application. Prior to joining Whitepages, NumberCop was tracking over half a million actively spamming phone numbers involved with scams and text-based phishing. Its technology, starting now, will be integrated into the Caller ID app and into Whitepages Pro, the company’s web and API business.
3 tips to protect against mobile commerce fraud
This byline by Tom Donlea, Director of Whitepages Pro’s e-commerce practice, outlines the 3 things that merchants can do to improve mobile fraud reviews and speed more good orders to clear.
Focus and Think Big: Lessons Learned in 18 Years Leading Dotcoms
Alex Algard was a student at Stanford University in 1997 when he started Whitepages.com in his dorm room. He began his entrepreneurial journey trying to run the dotcom while holding down a first-year analyst job at Goldman Sachs, quit banking to focus full-time on his startup, moved it to Seattle, left the CEO post to start a website for car enthusiasts, and returned years later to buy out his original investors for $70 million.
JPMorgan's Robo-Calling Settlement Fuels Fight Over FCC Rules
A $10.2 million settlement of a class action involving JPMorgan Chase has stoked the interest of banking industry and consumer groups in new rules for placing robo-calls. Many banks use technology sold by the Seattle company WhitePages that helps identify the owners of phone numbers and associated accounts, said Rob Eleveld, general manager of the Whitepages Pro product. Banks use the software to weed out incorrect numbers, in order to comply with the terms of the act, he said.
What ISDN Brought into the World, VoIP has Abused
For companies that rely on placing outbound calls to contact new leads, the statistics are unsettling. With every outbound call, an organization risks a fine, litigation and violating the consumer’s trust by breaking compliance. As GM of Whitepages Pro, Rob pointed out that their role is to maintain the knowledge of who is part of the Do Not Call list for companies making outbound calls. He also pointed out that often people are not particularly aware that they may have self-identified for Do Not Call in one place, but think
Whitepages shows how important it is to think like a startup
Alex Algard was an undergrad when he founded Whitepages out of his Stanford University dorm room. Nearly two decades later, Whitepages is experiencing a period of unprecedented growth, a rare feat for any business—particularly one with a Silicon Valley origin story. What’s the secret to its success? While there’s no single differentiating factor, much of the credit can be heaped on Algard and his unique approach to business.
Rebelling Against The Robocallers
An elderly friend with health problems gave me a scare recently when I phoned her and learned her number was out of service. Had she moved, or was it something much worse? Actually, she was feeling better than ever, now that those infuriating sales calls had finally stopped. Out of sheer frustration, my friend had gotten a new phone number.
3 Tips for Using Big Data to Prevent Fraudulent Orders
This byline by Tom Donlea, Director of Pro’s e-commerce practice, offers online merchants three steps to use big data in order to identify good orders faster and speed them to clear.
Alex Algard, Whitepages CEO and Founder, on SiriusXM Business Radio
Alex Algard, CEO and Founder of Whitepages joined David Robertson on SiriusXM Business Radio's Innovation Navigation. Alex discussed lessons
Consumer trust in the digital age: why privacy has become a differentiator
In today’s business climate, digital privacy is not just a matter of compliance – it’s a competitive differentiator in the marketplace. Whitepages Pro’s GM, Rob Eleveld discusses the desire for consumer privacy and the need for businesses to verify consumer identity with the rise of digital transactions.
Eye on Mobile: Mobile Devices Becoming More of a Retailer Ally in Authenticating Online Consumers
Smart phones may become a strong ally to fraud-plagued e-commerce merchants in helping to verify the location and identity of an online shopper. Online fraud is often committed by criminals who manipulate their computer’s location data and other attributes to make it appear they are who they say they are, and are located where the legitimate customer is supposed to be.
What Bankers Need to Know About the Latest IRS Scams
As the federal tax filing deadline approaches next month, tax-related scams are heating up. In one popular scheme, people impersonating IRS agents call taxpayers, claim they owe taxes, and demand immediate payment using a prepaid debit card or a wire transfer.
Telemarketers Harassing You? Then You Need This App
It was quietly one of the hottest apps of 2014, and if you haven’t checked it out yet, you need to—the Whitepages Caller ID & Block app is probably the best weapon yet against telemarketers that get hold of your mobile number.
Oscars: Here's how many people share names with nominees
Ahead of the Academy Awards Sunday, Whitepages went through its database of over 600 million phone numbers and determined how many
What's in a name? New Yorker Romance Barber plans epic Valentine's Day weekend with girlfriend
'Rose petals and Romance.' The 23-year-old has no intention of disappointing his other half on the most amorous weekend of the year
Whitepages App Gives Callers an Identity
Whitepages Founder and CEO, Alex Algard discusses the newly launched Whitepages Caller ID app for Android in the Bloomberg Market Minute with Alisa Parenti.
Bloomberg Market Minute with Whitepages CEO Alex Algard
Whitepages Founder and CEO, Alex Algard discusses the newly launched Whitepages Caller ID app for Android in the Bloomberg Market Minute
Top Ten Area Codes Making Spam Calls: Are They Dialing You Up?
Don’t recognize the number on your Caller ID? It could be a scammer. Phone scams continue to plague taxpayers as fraudsters try a number of tricks to try and steal your money and...
T-Mobile to offer name ID service from Whitepages
T-Mobile US is deploying a name ID service powered by Whitepages that will provide customers with the name of callers and texters even if they are not in the user's existing...
Michael Myers, Stephen King Top List of Popular Scary Names
On Oct. 31, most homeowners wouldn't be surprised to find a Freddie Krueger knocking at their door in search of candy. But do they know a real Jason Voorhees (of "Friday the 13th" fame)...
Hello, it's me: ID spoofer's latest tactic is a doozy
The phone rings and when you look at the caller ID you see something very strange—it's showing your telephone number. How could that be? Chances are your phone number is being...
50 Best Android Apps for 2014
Although your smartphone can recognize calls from your contact list, for some reason full caller ID never made the leap from the landline era.
7 best practices for smartphone security
There are a lot of telemarketing services that will call your phone just to determine if the number actually reaches a person.
How To Track Down A Long-Lost Friend
Where do you begin to look for someone you haven’t seen in 10, 20, maybe 50 years? Where do you start when all you have is a name and a face in a high school yearbook and no mutual friends?
Want to get rid of those $#%@ robocalls? There's an app for that
Telephone scammers and spammers don't care whether they call a landline or wireless phone. And they don't give a hoot if that number is on the federal Do Not Call List.
The 20 Most Common Names in Massachusetts
With data courtesy of Whitepages, WCVB Boston presents the twenty most common names in Massachusetts
Whitepages CEO Alex Algard on the distraction of outside investors and keeping your startup zeal
Though he’s only held one other job since college, Whitepages founder and CEO Alex Algard thinks he’s found a pretty good fit in his growing company
Avoid spam calls, find numbers faster with Current Caller ID on Android
Last year, I shared how to use the Whitepages Current Caller ID app to easily track blocked calls and texts. Now, Whitepages has added the ability to spot many of today's spam/scam numbers
The Benefits of Responsive Design
It has been predicted that the number of mobile connected devices will exceed the number of humans on Earth in 2014. The proof is in the data and yet the majority of established companies have been slow to adopt the responsive design changes that provide the best web experience for their users
Whitepages Current For Android Now Protects Against “One Ring” Scam
Whitepages Current, a free caller and text identification application for Android users, has been updated today to counter the plague that is the “one ring scam.” In case you’re unfamiliar, scammers are now trying to exploit smartphone owner’s “missed call” screen
Current Caller ID App Update Protects Users From ‘One-Ring’ Scams
It starts with an incoming call from a number you don't recognize. Your phone rings once, then the caller hangs up. If you call the number back, you'll probably be greeted with a recording that asks you to hold for an operator or a similar message. But the 10-digit phone number you just dialed isn't a U.S. number; it's an international number that charges by the minute
Babble: Top 10 Unisex Names of 2013
I never get tired of baby names. I love looking at lists, I love hearing people’s ideas, I love discovering a name I hadn’t heard before. Somewhere along the spectrum of name taste are unisex names
Video tour: Whitepages shows off remodeled office with kegerator, hydraulic desks and modern great room
Just a few weeks ago, Whitepages turned a huge page in the company’s history when it bought out its venture capital investors, paying $80 million to buy back shares from Technology Crossover Ventures and Providence Equity. But that’s not the only big change happening to the 16-year-old Seattle company
Alex Algard and Whitepages are building a better service for customers
Alex Algard wasn’t your typical college student. Rather than lounging around his Stanford dorm room, staying up late and sleeping in, he was using his room to accomplish his vision of helping people find, be found and connect
Mr. Number: Block calls, texts (for Android)
Just because you have a smartphone doesn't mean you want people calling you all the time. Enter Mr. Number (Google Play, Free), a handy little app that makes it easy to block calls and text messages from specific numbers, area codes, code prefixes, or just everyone
With Buyback, 16-Year-Old Startup Whitepages Is Doing Something Very Rare With $80 Million
Most times, when a venture-backed startup grows up, it provides a profit to its financial backers by selling to a larger company or going public. Either that or it doesn't grow up at all. It goes bust, and provides zero dollars back to investors
Whitepages Helps Businesses Protect Consumers With Big Data
Oakley, Vizio and Ann Inc. are now using Big Data and real-time reporting to not only target consumers online but protect them from fraud, such as online credit card theft. Those three companies are the first named users of Whitepages' PRO platform for businesses, which was released Thursday and is intended to verify user identities online before transactions occur
Whitepages.com fulfills its enterprise destiny, launches Whitepages PRO identity verification platform
When most people hear the name Whitepages, they think of the back half of the paper-bound Yellow Pages books where our pre-Internet selves searched for the names and contact information of local residents
Low unemployment in tech-friendly Seattle
Compared to the rest of the country's unemployment rate, Seattle is doing much better. The jobless rate there has fallen to 4.8 percent. The city is adding 80 percent more jobs each month than it was two years ago forcing companies to up their game in an effort to retain employees
Bosses’ challenge: Keep top workers from leaving
At Whitepages.com, an online directory-assistance service, staff vacations, free dinners and Fridays off during the summer are just some of the perks it offers its employees to keep them excited about work, said Chief Financial Officer Jason Eglit
Whitepages’ Current Caller ID app powers more than 5B calls & texts
Current Caller ID, an app we’ve called the future of smartphone calling for its ability to bring social media updates and news to your call screens, has seen huge growth in its first year
New Whitepages CFO on rapid expansion ahead
Unlike many of its dot-com era colleagues, Whitepages.com has managed to survive more than a decade and is now ready to make a big push into the next logical frontier: mobile
Whitepages Scoops Up Mr. Number, an Android App for Blocking Unwanted Calls
Seattle-based Whitepages has acquired Mr. Number — a startup whose Android software aims to make it easier for people to see who is calling them, and to block unwanted calls
Whitepages Buys Popular Spam Call-Blocker Android App Mr. Number
Whitepages has just acquired Mr. Number, a call-blocking and spam-identifying app that's one of the 20 communication apps in the Google Play Store. Whitepages says the acquisition gives it “one of the most robust caller ID features on the market.”
Whitepages acquires Mr. Number, the phone-spam Android app with 7M downloads, to reduce phone spam
This morning Whitepages announced that it has acquired Mr. Number, the call blocking and phone spam identification app that is a top-20 Android app in the communications category, with over seven million downloads
Code fellows to hold Ruby on Rails bootcamp for women only
This course for women was the brainchild of Jenny Chynoweth, recruiting evangelist at Whitepages. She worked previously on Amazon’s diversity initiative, trying to hire more women and minorities
Happy Earth Day: These Seattle startups are helping us go green
Today is the day to celebrate the lush green Earth and do what we can to keep it fresh. How does Earth Day relate to Seattle’s startups? The kind folks over at Whitepages show us with a neat little infographic below
Get free Current Caller ID app for Android phones
Stay in the know with those you are closest to -- Current Caller ID brings in the latest social updates from your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn friends. Don’t miss an update from your mom because that guy you went to high school with keeps posting about his breakfast on Facebook
Track blocked calls and texts on Android with Current Caller ID
When someone can't take the hint and keeps calling or texting you, it might be time to disable their ability to do so. The Android contact app allows you to send callers directly to voice mail, which is fine in most cases; however, if you're still getting flooded with voice mails, or even texts, Current Caller ID can help
Unlimited vacation anyone? Employers fight a 'war for talent'
There are dramatic changes happening in our everyday lives when it comes to technology. But in terms of the office spaces we work in, things have largely remained the same