Is cell phone pinging really possible (and legal) for private investigators?
We asked reporter Sean Cole to find out.
HAL: I became PursuitMag‘s executive editor in the autumn of 2012, but the magazine’s been around a lot longer than that. And back in the summer of 2008, the original editor posted an article with the following headline: “Locating Mobile Phones Through Pinging and Triangulation.” That is, finding someone you’re looking for by turning that person’s cell phone into a kind of homing device.
Over the years, that article set a record for the most hits of any PursuitMag story ever…and it’s still getting lots of hits to this day—apparently, because a whole lot of people type “cell phone pinging” into Google search. People really want to know if this is possible, and if so, how to do it.
Of course, in technological terms, 2008 is primeval. So when I stumbled across this article again, I got to thinking: What’s possible NOW in terms of pinging a cell phone? And what’s legal? So I got a hold of an old radio buddy of mine, Sean Cole, and asked him to make some calls.
To find out what Sean Cole learned about current cell phone pinging and triangulation technology and laws, click below:
Produced by Storyboard EMP
Host: Hal Humphreys
Music provided by Jason White (who composed our theme) and Lullatone.
Special thanks to producer Sean Cole (This American Life), and engineer Simon Gugala.
Below, you’ll find the text of the original 2008 article by L. Scott Harrell:
I hesitated to include this article since cell phone pinging has always been something of an urban legend among the private investigation and bail enforcement communities. However, I do know for certain that it is absolutely possible and that many fugitives and abducted children have been recovered through the use of cell phone pinging by various State and Federal law enforcement agencies.
Do you remember when President Bush went to the Middle East on a surprise visit to the troops not too long ago? The media made a big deal about the fact that the Secret Service made everyone onboard Air Force One, including the President, take the battery out of their cell phones so that the “real bad guys” didn’t know of their location.
Voila! (Cell phone pinging has gotten someone’s attention.) I was convinced to include the article because a trusted peer indicated that he too had luck with a locate at one time and anyone interested in locating another person may at least have the need to understand the technology and the process of locating cellular phones.
There are two ways a cellular network provider can locate a phone connected to their network, either through pinging or triangulation. Pinging is a digital process and triangulation is an analog process.
A cell phone “ping” is quite simply the process of determining the location, with reasonable accuracy, of a cell phone at any given point in time by utilizing the phone GPS location aware capabilities, it is very similar to GPS vehicle tracking systems. To “ping” in this context means to send a signal to a particular cell phone and have it respond with the requested data.
The term is derived from SONAR and echolocation when a technician would send out a sound wave, or ping, and wait for its return to locate another object. New generation cell phones and mobile service providers are required by federal mandate, via the “E-911” program, to be or become GPS capable so that 911 operators will be able to determine the location of a caller who is making an emergency phone call. When a new digital cell phone is pinged, it determines its latitude and longitude via GPS and sends these coordinates back via the SMS system (the same system used to send text messages). This means that in instances where a fugitive or other missing person has a GPS enabled cell phone (and that the phone has power when being polled, or pinged) that the cell phone can be located within a reasonable geographic area- some say within several feet of the cell phone.
With the older style analog cellular phones and digital mobile phones that are not GPS capable the cellular network provider can determine where the phone is to within a hundred feet or so using “triangulation” because at any one time, the phone is usually able to communicate with more than one of the aerial arrays provided by the phone network. The cell towers are typically 6 to 12 miles apart (less in cities) and a phone is usually within range of at least three of them. By comparing the signal strength and time lag for the phone’s carrier signal to reach at each tower, the network provider can triangulate the phone’s approximate position.
Similar technology is used to track down lost aircraft and yachts through their radio beacons. It’s not identical because most radio beacons use satellites and older cell phones use land-based aerial arrays but the principle is the same.
Not surprisingly, the phone network companies are shy about admitting they have this ability. The triangulation and pinging capability of mobile phone network companies varies according to the age of their equipment. A few can only do it manually with a big drain on skilled manpower. But these days most companies can generate the information automatically, which makes it cheap enough to sell.
Some nefarious service providers have indicated that they have either developed sources within mobile telephone service providers to be able to get this information upon request or have access to the software interfaces to accomplish this on their own (or some variant thereof). I highly suspect that these “cell phone ping service providers” I see advertising from time to time are actually using a good ol’ fashioned pretext to obtain the location of a cell phone rather than using an actual ping. If you do come across a real provider, please let me know.
There you have it- the short course regarding the technical capability of locating cell phones and those who possess them either through pinging or triangulation. Again, I cannot speak to the commercial availability of such a service but like anything else in the investigative business; for now I believe that mobile-phone pinging is largely urban myth among private investigators, fugitive recovery investigators and skip tracers.
Recent Comments
There actually is software you can do this with. The trouble is, that it is software than needs to be installed on the phone it’s self. I have had the luck of playing with phones that adhere to the open smartphone standard, and you are able to pull information from not only the cellular tower that you are paired with, but also surrounding towers. There are, in fact, several mobile navigation applications, similar to those available for phones with gps radios, that use a combination of signal strength’s and a remote database of tower coordinates to map a cellular phone to a rough longitude and latitude.
This really does nothing for the private investigator that does not have explicit access to the cellular phone in question though. You really do not ‘need’ any triangulation algorithm in place on the provider’s side to track down a phone either. Just a pretext, or better yet, someone who is actually on the phone bill, who has had their phone ‘stolen’. I guess that is still a pretext though.
Is there a way to tell if this (pinging) has been done to my phone?
does it track a history? ( where I have been ? )
Does this stop when I turn off the phone?
Thanks – interesting artical.
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Ah, how times change.
So, many years ago, back when other investigators and bail enforcement agents whispered about these things, I went directly to the source and asked the toughest company to get anything from (Verizon) what I needed to give them to ping phones, and give me numbers called or calling on a marks phone.
I did get that magic door to open, and did so in a way that covered everyones butts legally. It helped me close many cases quickly. I didn’t realize until way later, I was one of the only people in the country who had on demand access in the mid to late 1990’s.
Fast forward to today. I now have access to up to the minute GPS information on my bail clients at $8.00 a ping. Most locates are available within 50ft.
you can get pings for 8 each mail me back
need to ping someone who i have stalking order against. can this be done
I am interested. Please email me with the info.
im an owner of a bail bond company and this could be very helpful could you call me 740.260.8400 thanks
If you get any info about cellphone pinging can you please share.
I am a recovery agent and would love to have this software.. If it is legal… Please forward me the info..
Steven,
Please email me info. paulshay111@gmail.com
i need a cell phone pinged..can u help? 🙂
Hi Steve,can you do this ping in any country? I make use of another provider but costs are getting high.
@ Steven Im a bail agent and I have been searching for this type of software for awhile how can I get this. JEBAILBONDING@YAHOO. COM
Yes, Steven, please forward me pertinent info, I am in need of tracking a cell phone for similar reasons. justincasecl@yahoo.com
Yes, Steven, I could also “pay per ping” contact info.
ehansen197@yahoo.com
Thanks.
Steven, add me to the list that is asking for the cell pong information
Tsly1@hotmail.com please send me whatever you have, have been waiting for the service to cAtch up with the technology for bail recovery.
I would like to added also sam.farther@gmail.com
Thanks
add me to the list hope tis works .
I would like the ping info also. I am in the military and this would be a great tool for force protection.
Jaycoop05@yahoo.com
I would like to ask a few questons on this. Guyforhirea1yahoo.com
If anyone has a way to Ping a phone . We search for the missing.
Chuckforemansecurity@gmail.com
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Also interested in this important recovery locate topic
I am the director of Sales at Interact. Several months ago there was an article in Pursuit Magazine “Locating Mobile Phones through Pinging and Triangulation to which you expressed interest and have some questions.
Our company is bringing to market a combined offering that not only allows you to “ping” a defendant cell phone, as well as use voice authentication (known as voice bio-metrics) to insure the phone is with the correct person. After all, knowing the location of the phone is only half the solution if the defendant is trying to hide.
The base Features we provide are:
• Track defendants anytime using standard cell phones they own
• Supports AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile cell phones
• Location AND voice verification of defendant
• Receive geographic map location of defendant
• Records location point historically for future racking & reference
• Communicate with defendant via voice and/or text messaging by cell phone
• No special equipment required
• No special application resides on defendant cell phone
• Highly affordable solution that can be incorporated into bail requirement
Call me at my office number below and I will be happy to answer your questions,
Chris
Chris Buffum
Director of SPOT Sales & Marketing
Interact Inc Software Systems
http://www.iivip.com
9390 Research Blvd
Austin, TX 78759
Ofc 512.501.2685
Cell 512.423.7594
Skype: chris.buffum1
“YES WE CAN”
Please contact me asap on your program to ping cell phones as i own a bonding company and need this service very bad. Thank You 720-436-8728 24hrs
I also require this service please le me know more details: mark.cantell@yahoo.co.uk
thanks Mark
Please, I am in desperate need of pinging a phone for safety reasons. Thank you to add me to your list.
I’d love the information as well. Did anyone else get a response?
davepalmer@palmerinvestigativeservices.com
I am also interested on ping software and/or service
Thx!
Steve, If you or others reading this know of a cost effective means to ping a phone I would appreciate an email.
Steve, can you please forward the pay per ping info. rkraft@uigpi.com
Many thanks,
Robert
Im a P.I. & Bail Agency & would like some info on cell phone pinging ASAP.
Thank You
I need this information. My 15 year old daughter is missing and the only info that I have is this guys number (that she met online, approx 22yrs old.)that lured her from home. I have a name but do not know if it is real. FBI and police are not helping me, all I am getting is the runaround. HELP!
Steve, please send this info along to me also thanks. Unless its Captira i dont have it thanks.
I am looking to buy some pinging software asap so if anyone has any advice please contact me as fast as possible
Please send me the software info. also.
i also need desperatly this softeare ,i lost my phone ,or shall i say it was picked up and all the person needs to do is turn on the wi fi and all my info from emails will be synced to that phone,i work for the govt so it is truly important and the phone that was taken actuallly has no number just google voice ,which will receive calls and texts and emails if i connects to any open wireless signal…please help
Please let me know on how to get a hold of the pinging software or the name of companies that charges for this service.
Joe
Steve, I am very interested in the ping software/service as well. Please advise.
Thank you,
Jim Smith
I would also like this pay per ping feature….
V Kirby
steven im a bail agent and recovery service in md and i would like you to fwd this info also Dominionbailbonds@verizon.net or info@dominionbailbonds.com
Interested in the ping software info. Thanks
Steven, Please if the information is available for pinging cell phones and/or getting gps locations, please forward. Thanks c.hegle@comcast.net
Hello,,
Please forward the pinging program also.
BirminghamBailBonds@gmail.com
Would like information on any software available. Own Private Investigation and Bonding Company.
I’d love to get the info also. signatureinvestigationsgroup@gmail.com — I’m assuming no1 has received the info or someone would have re-posted it by now.. Am I correct?
Very interested in having the software as well.
THERE IS A COMPANY IN FL THAT DOES CELL PHONE PINGS. THEY ARE VERY GOOD, BUT A LITTLE EXPENSIVE AT 175 DOLLARS PER PING. i ALSO LIKE THE FACT THAT THEY DON’T HAVE TO GET PERMISSION FROM USER TO DO THE PING.iHAD CAPTIRIA, BUT THEY TEXT THE PHONE THAT YOU ARE PINGING TO LET THEM KNOW IT IS BEING PINGED, WHICH TO ME IS NO GOOD. iF SOMEONE NEEDS THIS INFO, E-MAIL ME OR CALL ME AT 304 262 3700. tHE COMPANY THAT i USE IS VERY SECRECTIVE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THERE WEB SITE IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAVE A RESTAURENT BUSINESS
IKECUSTER@COMCAST.NET
I would like to know what software to use to ping cell phones or have the ability to use a geolocator service. I am willing to pay not only for the software but for the forwarding of such information. I am a licensed private investigator. Please email me at dmorris500@msn.com
Anyone out there offering this service, please shoot me an email: jharris@metrodenverpi.com
Thanks!
IKECUSTER@COMCAST.NET
call me 239 271 1008
i need the use of that service i have a 200,000 skip
floridabailbond@gmail.com
please foward any pining info that works to me help me please
jrv
I want to know more about mobile pinging
Please help my fiancées sisters are in the middle of are business need to know If my other number is being pinged
I would like information on the pinging software or someone who will do it for me. My husband (recently ex) is mentally ill and disappears regularly. I worry contstantly for him because he usually winds up in jail. Currently he is missing from his court ordered mental health program and I am trying desperately to find him and get him back to his program before they decide not to reinstate him or he does something that will land him in prison.
thanks so much
kerry
949.291.8762
socalcrrvs@gmail.com
For people in the security business your very eager to dish out your email addresses!
Steve. Hi could I please get the information on pinging? Thank u
Steve, like everybody else that asked this question I would lke to know where I may purchase the pinging equipment or reliable firm that can do this I am a Private Investigator and Process Server would make life a little easier, thanks for the article and Information. Bill
Steve, I would like infomation as to where I may purchase thie equipment, I am aPrivate Investigator and Process Server, or a reliable firm that already does this, great article very informative, Thanks Bill
Isn’t this something. How many people here are claiming to be bail bondsmen, or government workers, or the like, and have absolutely NO sense of spelling or grammar.
No bondsman is using a freaking Comcast email address. None. This is so amusing as to be sickeningly un-amusing.
Here’s the truth about the above mentioned tracking options. Pinging is a trivial matter on any phone manufactured after 2006 or so. There are multiple choices for software clients which you can install to easily facilitate digital pinging. Law enforcement doesn’t even need to get involved. Hell, if you’re good with a little C++, you can code an app yourself, and have a phone you can track from damn near anywhere.
As for analogue triangulation… this is NOT something to which the ordinary citizen has access. Traingulation can (in some cases, with older network designs) eat up significant portion of local network resources. For this reason (and others), the only people who have the authority to order a triangulation are recognized law enforcement agencies. If you’re not the FBI, CIA, NSA, or other such alphabet soup, you WILL BE turned down if trying to request a triangulation. Even local police forces are typically required to obtain a warrant before they can order a triangulation.
Triangulation is, in fact, SO off-limits to the public, that it is a crime (downright felony, if I’m not mistaken) to use devices/software in an attempt to conduct your own triangulation session. Doing so will end up with YOUR location being traced, and having your tech-loving ass thrown in a state prison.
TL;DR… Pinging is simple, easily available, and you have no hoops to jump through. Triangulation is a pain, illegal, and becoming increasingly obsolete.
-Hector Grimes. Defying death since before you were born.
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Please send me info on cell phone pinging software. I TRULY believe my sister is in danger of being hurt or killed by her husband. No one will help us and the police wont do anything because no “crime” has been committed yet. Although there is a history of domestic violence and sinister actions by my brother in law. Many thanks!
please can you tell me if this is true, can a person who is on a phone near an Airport have their phone ping off a tower up to 20 miles away, down the same road way? Like- I-10 and I-75 airport location then 20 miles down I-10 at another tower location can a cell phone ping off that tower? past the airport tower? I heard it can by-pass airport towers due to blocking by airport for security reasons since 911.
Hope its not to late to post a comment on this subject of cellphone ping. Pinging gives you coordinates but usualy the radius of the phone could be up to minimum 150 metres. Try searching for such phone in the rural setlements of South Africa….not so easy! What is needed is the KingFisher mobile tracking unit which works like a mini cellphone tower on steroids. Law enforcement agencies in USA can trach a phone within 1 meter radius …in your pocket. Regardless ….Steve I to would like the ping software which will help me emencely I’m tired of paying contacts to assist me with pinging.
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