Call-blocking app Mr. Number scooped up by WhitePages

Mr. Number blocks calls and texts, does reverse lookups and provides Caller ID for US businesses

We have all, at one point or another, has someone we would, for whatever reason, rather not call us ever again. For most people it was probably an ex-boyfriend/girlfriend, or it could have been one of those horribly annoying spam centers that call you over and over again with the same message. But, whoever it was, its a pretty annoying problem.

That is where call blocking and spam identification Android app Mr. Number comes in. It allows users to choose who gets to call them, allows them to do reverse-look ups and see which businesses are calling them. The app has now been purchased by WhitePages it was announced Friday.

Terms of the deal have not been disclosed, and Mr. Number will remain as a standalone mobile app and consumer site, though WhitePages has not ruled out "potential synergies leveraged in future app development."

The purchase will help WhitePages, which has over 50 million unique monthly users and powers over 2 billion searches per year across sites that include WhitePages.com and 411.com, expand its mobile offerings and give its customers a fuller range of options to effectively communicate.

"Truly effective call management must provide consumers not only an understanding of who's on the other end of the line, but the ability to block spammers and unwanted callers and texters. Our users now have access to the best of both worlds," said Alex Algard, CEO of WhitePages, in a statement.

Founded in 2010, San Mateo, California-based Mr. Number lets users block calls and texts, do reverse lookups and receive Caller ID for US businesses on their  Android phone. It is a top 20 communication app in the Google Play Store, and it has been downloaded over 7 million times.

The app's feature include:

• The ability to block people and companies users don’t want to hear from. Users can block both texts and calls from one person, a business, anyone you don’t know, an entire area code, unknown and private callers and suspected spammers.
• Use Reverse Lookup to identify mobile numbers and landlines that have called or texted, or they can enter a number to see if Mr. Number as a name to go with it. The first 20 Lookups are free, and then any additional Lookups can be purchased through the app.
• When a customer gets a call from a business line, Mr. Number will do a free Caller ID lookup to find a name and will then display information about the business, including any offers they may have, their location and a link to their website.

The company raised a $3.5 million Series A round from Menlo Ventures in August of 2011.

Vator has reached out to Mr. Number, but no one was available to speak at this time.

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