People Search Public Records

Archive for the ‘People Search Articles’ Category

Search and Expose, the people search pros, will teach you all you need to know… about doing a People Search anyway. Whether you’re searching for a first love, deadbeat dad or mom, person who owes you money or somebody you’d just like to find, the best way to go about it is by doing a people search. Or is it?

We will share with you different people searches available and what makes them effective or not. Also, what is it that makes a people search a good deal; is it price, quality of the search, information retrieved? You probably guessed it, they’re all correct. There are many factors that make a People Search work for you, regardless of what or who you’re looking for! I’m sure we’d agree, anytime you search for something, you want to find it fast, effectively, and accurately. Take search engines like Google or Yahoo for example, if they made it difficult or took a long time to find the information your looking for, no one would use them. That might change how we obtain information, wouldn’t it?

The first type of people search we’d like to tell you about, are those of the Free Search variety. These are typically search engine based people search programs. Some of the more popular ones include Yahoo! People Search, Zaba Search, White Pages and Google People Search. I know free sounds great but there’s the old saying, you get what you pay for. Which in the case of free search engine based people searches, isn’t much. We’ve conducted numerous people searches on these websites mentioned and came up with the same results every time, inaccurate, outdated, and often times just plain wrong information! The price is right on this type of people search but if you’d like to find the exact location and other important information of the person you’re looking for, this one isn’t even close to your best bet.

The next kind of people search is a Public Records Search. The companies doing this type of people search usually offer a free search giving you a tidbit of advice to get you tantalized and wanting more information. Once your interested they then “up sell” you on a more in depth report of what you’re looking for. Some of the more popular public records search companies are U.S. Search and Intelius. These and many other public records search companies are fairly inexpensive, yet are just a cut above a free people search. You’re probably wondering how can this be? This sort of people search comes from public records available to anyone. The tests we conducted provided more in depth information than the free reports, but not any more up-to date or accurate than a free search. You’d expect to get more accurate up-to-date information if you’re paying for it, right? Well it just isn’t the case when it comes to public records people search.

The final category of people search is called a Private Investigator Search which is by far the best kind of people search available today. The reason we’re able to say this is the best method is because with this type of people search you’ll receive:

-The most comprehensive information available anywhere

-accurate information that is current and up-to-date

-personal service insuring your satisfaction

-verified reports guaranteeing the information you receive is 100% correct

Private Investigator Searches are head and shoulders above any other type of people search report. They are conducted by companies such as Search and Expose with licensed and bonded private investigators. Your personal private investigator goes to work on your behalf conducting diligent research using public records and more importantly private records, accessed through a special program only available to private investigators. These private records expose many of the hidden facts not provided by free search engine or public search records and it’s 100% legal. The cost of a private investigator search are typically two or three times the cost of a public record search, however the information is hundreds, if not thousands of times more valuable! One other important fact to consider is, when you utilize a private investigator search, you get a live person who is going to verify that the information searched and exposed is accurate and the person you’re searching for is found. It is peace of mind knowing you’ll have this precise information gotten for you, saving you hundreds of hours of time, research, and money. So if you’re looking to search and expose quickly, effectively and properly the first time, every time, people search using a Private Investigator Search today!

Christopher Bartella is a professional website developer. He has extensive knowledge and experience in internet businesses and marketing. His awareness and expertise in the field marketing research and education is second to none.

http://www.searchandexpose.com/

Whether you are trying to complete your family tree or would like to get in touch with a long lost classmate from elementary school, an online people search is the best way to go about it. Although plowing through hundreds (or even thousands) of records may seem daunting at first, the rewards of a people search, once successful, are truly fulfilling. (Besides, think of how much more difficult it will be if you had to conduct a manual search!)

Why Do A People Search?

Conducting a people search could be for any number of reasons. Some people have used online people search facilities to look for a parent, child or sibling they have never met due to adoption, war and others.

For some individuals, a people search is also one of the best ways to do some networking. You can build connections with other people based on mutual acquaintances or similar hobbies and interests. You can also use these newfound connections to further specific goals and aspirations that you may have.

If you just met someone new, running a people search on them could also give you an idea of what they are like based on their background. This is especially helpful for employers who are trying to get information on job applicants and for entrepreneurs who are entering business ventures with new partners.

People Search – There’s Nothing Faster Than an Online Search

Conducting an online people search is probably the most practical and efficient way to go about it in a world that has become increasingly connected through the Internet. Knowing a few simple details about the person you are looking for is the best way to start; it can be an old address, phone number or simply a general idea of where this person used to live.

An online people search is the fastest method because you will not have to look through outdated records located in far flung places. It’s also the most cost-effective as you don’t need to travel nor deal with any private detectives.

There might be a lot of restrictions to accessing data is stored in libraries, clubs, government offices and other similar institutions but an online people search is usually free for all. Furthermore, you can conduct your search in complete anonymity so you don’t even have to offer an reason or excuse to conduct any particular search.

The technology of an online people search also allows you a lot of freedom to filter your search and make it as specific as it needs to be. This saves you a lot of time from chasing after false leads or having to read tediously through pages of documents.

There are a myriad of people search websites on the Internet today, some even tailor-made for specific purposes such as looking for a military buddy or an old friend from church. As such , that long-anticipated reunion of yours could turn out to be sooner than you think.

Want to Know the Top Sites for People Search? Read Dr. Amit Mehta’s Unbiased Reviews ==> RecordsSiteReviews.com

It used to be that planning a high school reunion was a monumental task. Reunion planning committees would meet for months leading up to the reunion and would try to piece together a master class list from various out-dated sources. The end result typically was a reunion that was poorly attended because most classmates weren’t aware it was even taking place. However, unlike previous graduating classes, our class and the classes of the future have a distinct advantage in planning their reunions: The online people search.

Though many people use people search web sites for background checks, many are unaware that these sites are invaluable for finding people or “people searching.” Sites like http://www.peoplefinders.com and http://www.voompeople.com provide access to billions of public records at the click of a mouse. Within the last few years, people search sites have also dramatically improved their search technology allowing users to locate almost anyone in a matter of moments. Thus, finding former classmates and spreading the word about the reunion has never been easier!

To start searching for a classmate online, first sign up at a people search web site. Once you have registered at one of these sites, PSN recommends purchasing a monthly membership. Therefore, you can have an unlimited amount of searches instead of paying by the search. (Note, the cost of a monthly membership is usually justified if you are looking up more than three people in a one month period.) After purchasing your membership, it is time to search.

Your first step in people searching is to enter into a search box any current information that you have on your former classmate. Information such as a classmate’s current address, phone number or city of residence can be extremely helpful in locating him or her. Current information, along with a classmate’s first and last name, is often enough information to obtain a classmate’s complete contact information.

If you don’t have any current contact information, old or “historical” information is often just as valuable. With new people search phone technology, phone numbers up to 30 years old have even been used to find people. Even better, historical information such as old phone numbers and addresses can often be found scribbled in yearbooks. Combined with a classmate’s name, historical information can often lead you right to your classmate.

Finally, you may only have the name of your former classmate to work with. This situation requires reunion planners to put on their detective hats as a little investigating is required to find the missing classmate. Once the classmate’s name has been entered at the people search web site, you are typically given a list of potential matches to your classmate with additional background information surrounding each potential match. These results typically include a person’s name, age, address and phone number history, listings of possible relatives and neighbors and possibly some criminal history information. Once you have narrowed down your results to a few candidates, you can use information such as address history and age to zero in on your classmate.

So there you have it Class of ’97. Before you follow in the footsteps of the classes before you and spend months trying to locate your former classmates, give online people searching a try. Who knows, with all of the time that you will save searching, you may even have time to find a date to the reunion.

Founded in 2006, People Search News is a Sacramento, California based non-commercial online source for people search and people finder related news and information.

If you need to locate an old friend, relative, associate or lover who you haven’t seen in months or years, read on.

People search is one of those search areas where the Internet really shines. If you know the person’s name and some other identifying info about him/her, you can probably locate him via the Internet pretty quickly.

If the person is deceased, you can find that out, too.

But be careful, it’s not as easy as just a question of Googling the person’s name. You have to have a bit of knowhow in online people-search. Here are a few of the possible problems you can run into –

-Your subject has a common name — Smith, Jones, Wilson, Mitchell, etc.

-Your (female) subject has gotten married and has a new name.

-He/she doesn’t want to be found. Maybe the person is hiding from creditors, for example. It’s not uncommon, which is why there’s a huge skip tracing industry out there.

-The person is in the military.

-Your subject is deceased.

I’ll suggest ways to deal with these complications later in this article. However, be aware there’s never an absolute guarantee you’ll find your man or woman. It’s a fact that some people just can’t be found. Most can, though, with a little informed searching.

By the way, did you know the phrase people search is one of the most commonly searched keyword phrases entered on Google? Every day thousands of people try to find someone, usually an old acquaintance, school friend, military buddy, or girl/boyfriend using an Internet search engine. Yet most never locate their subject this way. You’ll only find him/her using a search engine if the person is noteworthy in some way — has written a book, has their name on a web site, has been in the news, etc. Probably 19 out of 20 people can’t be found just using a search engine. You usually need other types of online tools.

Free Online People-Search Tools

OK, notwithstanding what I just said, go ahead and run a quick Google search, maybe you’ll get lucky. But even if you find someone with your subject’s name listed on Google, are you sure it’s the person you’re looking for? If the name is at all common, you probably aren’t. Identification can be a problem. Stop and think. What do you know about your subject other than his/her name? Do you know the city the person lives in or probably lives in (or used to live in)? That narrows your search down a good deal right there. What about date of birth or age? Either of those identifiers can be important if your subject has a common name. What about a former street address? That can be helpful should you need to go to more advanced methods of search later (as I’ll discuss below).

If you subject has a very uncommon name, or if you know his/her likely city or even state of residence, you can try using one of the online directories.

Two good ones are Addresses.com., and WhoWhere.com. Just enter whatever information you have — name, city, state, etc. and give it a try. If you get a likely-looking hit, give him/her a call or send a letter explaining your purpose and that you’re not sure you’ve got the right person. See what reaction you get.

But the online directories often don’t work. For various reasons, your subject isn’t listed. So what do you do then? Here are some other free online people-search tools to try:

- If you think he/she may be in the military, visit gisearch.com.

- If you know the person’s high school, try classmates.com.

- Is your subject into fishing or hunting (as one-third of adult males are)? Check to find out if he/she has a fishing or hunting license.

- Try a news search. For this you’ll have to guess your subject’s likely city-of-residence, then search archives of a local newspaper in that city or region. Just go to Newspapers.com.

- Check voters registration records. Again, you have to guess at your subject’s most likely area of residence. Many people don’t realize that voters registration records are public information, so even if they’re trying to keep a low profile they can often be found in this way.

- Do you know your subject’s occupation. Possibly you can locate him/her through his professional association or licensing board..

- Might your subject be deceased? Check the Master Death Index.

Telephone Techniques

If your online searches didn’t pan out, you’ve got a hard case but don’t give up. Try these telephone techniques.

+ Call the Department of Motor Vehicles in his/her likely state of residence and ask to have a name search run while you wait. This one’s a favorite of private investigators and nearly always works, provided his/her state-of-residence permits this type of search. (California, among a few others, doesn’t.)

+ Call his former employer and ask to be connected to the Human Resources Department. Explain that you need to locate the person and ask if they can tell you his/her present employer. Most employers won’t provide this information but some will. It’s worth a try.

+Call the utility company (e.g., the electric company) and ask the customer service rep if your subject is listed as one of their customers; if so, request his address. Be open about your reasons for the request. Addresses are public information, so the rep should comply with your request.

+ Call relatives and neighbors. You can locate former neighbors using a reverse-directory website like Anywho.com. However, read the following section for a few pointers on how to handle the call.

Finer Points of the Trade

Skip-tracing is in fact a finely-honed art which has been around for many decades. Traditionally, it’s been done almost entirely via the telephone by people who’ve made a profession out of it. Almost always, the purpose of the skip trace has been financial – locating a skip who has disappeared owing debts.

Although readers of this Guide will probably be searching for friends or relatives, not financial deadbeats, it’s worth going over a few of the tried-and-true principles of skip tracing (e.g., people search), especially if you will need to use the telephone in your searching. Here’s what veterans of skip tracing advise –

- When speaking to a possible source of information, always remember to start by saying, “I wonder if you could help me.” This puts the person in a cooperative, nondefensive frame of mind.

- When placing a call to the skip’s last known address, ask in a casual tone of voice to speak to him/her — for example, “Hi, I’d like to speak to Bill.” If the person who answers the phone says he’s not there or doesn’t live there, then ask if the person knows where he lives.

- Always strive to enlist allies in your search, say the pros. Be personable and courteous to a fault to whomever you speak. Never take an adversarial approach. Always aim at establishing good will and cooperation.

Points to Keep in Mind about People-Searching

-People searching used to be nearly impossible for the average person. Nowadays, thanks to the Internet, you can usually find your subject in minutes.

-That said, not everybody can be found, even if you work long and hard at it.

-Always start your search in the most obvious, simple way. For example, if you know your subject lives in Minneapolis, just call Minneapolis long-distance telephone information and ask for an area-wide search. Or try a free online search service like, Whowhere.com.

-If that doesn’t work, try to remember what you know about the person and then use specialized searches. Did he have a hunting license? What college did he/she go to? Etc. etc.

-Still looking? Try using the telephone techniques suggested above if finding the person is important to you.

-If you can’t find your subject despite your best efforts or if you’re in a hurry, consider using a paid people-search service. Even these are not 100% effective but they do have access to many proprietary databases you can’t use and may be able to find him/her for you right away.

by Joseph Ryan

Joseph Ryan is Director of Washington Research Associates, Inc., Washington DC.
The firm’s website, Web Search Guides (http://www.websearchguides.com) provides helpful 10-minute tutorials on topics of current interest, such as home refinancing, asset-searching, people searching, student financing, identity theft, and many others.

Getting Comfortable with a Background People Search

Are you thinking of hiring someone? Or are you looking for a tenant for your rental property, or trying to track down a long-lost family member or friend?

As long as you are in legitimate need of personal information about someone else, you may benefit from having a background people search performed. Before you start a process that may make you feel slightly uncomfortable, however, there may be a few questions you’d like clarified.

Who requests background people searches?

Employers, legal officials, government agencies, landlords, and even those hoping to find friends or family members will often have a background people search performed.

Employers and landlords, especially, by making sure they are not going to become involved with someone whose past history points to a poor employment or rental risk, can save themselves future legal headaches.

What will a background people search reveal?

That will depend on what you specifically ask the investigator to research, and how thoroughly the search is performed. You will have to pay more to get more.

Will a background people search uncover a person’s criminal history?

The success of a background people search focusing on someone’s criminal record will depend on the skills of the researcher. It is best, in the case of criminal searches, to hire a firm with a network of “court runners”, who will make on-site visits to the various court houses where the individual might have criminal convictions on file.

County criminal records searches, depending on how much information you give the researcher, are most likely to give you accurate results. Because more than one individual can share the same name, you should, if possible, have a date of birth, or even better, a Social Security Number for the person you are checking.

What if I can’t find a background people search service with court runners?

Just be aware that many online background search services limit themselves to searching lists of current prison populations. If the person you are checking was recently released from prison, you won’t know.

And any juvenile criminal records a person has will not show up in a search.

What else can I find out through a background people search?

Background people searches can be done to find bankruptcies and to check a person’s credit history. Bankruptcies are a matter of public record, but credit history screening can only be done by prospective employers or landlords, and the request for them must be accompanied by a signed release from the person being investigated.

You can also verify employment and education histories, but some educational institutions will not release transcripts.

Can I do a background check on a company?

Investigators who perform background people searches can also do company credit checks, revealing a company’s credit limits, payment history, opened accounts, payment terms, liens, and bankruptcies.

Is a person’s Social Security Number important for a background people search?

Having a Social Security Number enables to find any aliases associated with it. You will also be able to do a nationwide search for the addresses of all the names that have ever been connected to the Social Security Number.

Will having a person’s E-mail address help with a background people search?

An E-mail address will help distinguish between two people with the same name, but won’t find a person all by itself.

Finally, if you are still uncomfortable about asking for a background people search, just consider how much discomfort you may be sparing yourself in the future!

Author: Matt Garrett ? 2007 http://www.EasyPeopleSearch.com

Discover how to do free people searches, background checks and address searches online..

Click Here for your Online People Search Guide

Are you one of those people who have been planning to do a people search for some time but never had the chance to do it? Are you too busy to do the investigation yourself or do not have the funds to hire a private investigator to do the search for you? If this is you, then worry no more. There are now sites that offer professional services over the Internet that you can access to in the comfort of your own homes at anytime you please.

There are actually hundreds of sites that do people search. There are some good sites that offer their services for free given that you know where to look. As more and more people use electronic devices to make their daily transactions, these tracks are now being used to keep track of them and their activities. Credit card records could leave tracks of your spending habits and the places where you have been on that particular day. It is because of this that people search are becoming more and more easy.

As mentioned earlier, free services can be availed given that you know where to go. So here are some suggestions on where to go for a people search:

o Make use of online search engines. Use your subject’s personal information as keywords for the search.

o Use government databases. The government now has online sites where you can free access their records. This is a good and reliable source of information.

o Go to social networking sites such as Friendster or Facebook

o Search court records for any criminal histories

o Look also for civil records to check the status of the person you are investigating on

Aside from the free sites over the Internet that do a people search, there are also companies that specialize in offering these services. Through time, these companies have molded and created techniques in doing these kinds of investigations. They also have access to hundreds and even millions of databases, some of which are not accessible to the general public. So even though they may charge their clients a certain fee, the results that one could get from these services will definitely be worth more than the money. If you do not have a fast Internet connection at home and the time to do the search yourself, the most recommended thing to do would be to employ the services of professionals to do the people search for you. Professional services can allow you to narrow down your search to the most relevant records only. This could save you precious time.

But one thing you must remember is that before choosing the kind of service you want to use, make sure the company is legitimate and credible. Investigate a little bit more before making your search. There are a lot of scammers who require you to send your credit card information before offering you any kind of service. And after paying, you end up with nothing at all. So be very careful in choosing services for a people search. Ask for advice from people you know and even read reviews on a company’s service, check for any complaints from a past customer. Make sure that you always get your money’s worth.

Article Source: People Search

Michel David
Has Been a writer for Address Directory for 3 years.

People searches are an increasingly popular way to conduct business and reconnect with old friends. But a people search is only useful if it is accurate. There are three areas – data quality, customer service, and company history – where consumers can look to be confident that the searches will contain information they need.

Point 1: Data Quality

The main factor for data quality is completeness. Completeness means the number of search resources, update frequency, and how far back the data goes, and also how much information is included in the search report. People search companies are essentially data aggregators which access a huge range of public and private records to compile the search report. Determining data quality can be difficult, but there are some general questions to ask before running a search:

o How frequently are their records updated? The databases which the people search company use have to be updated often in order to provide accurate information. A good search company updates their records at least every two months.

o How far do those records go back? Many state and federal records go back to the 1950s, while some phone databases are only good for that year. Make sure that the people search company’s data goes back far enough to provide a complete history.

o How many, and what type, of resources do they use for a search? This information is almost always confidential, but they should be able to tell you in general whether they have state-by-state information, national databases, and what kinds of databases they access.

o Is their information tested for accuracy? A reliable people search company conducts independent tests for the quality of source information they use. The exact testing procedures are different between companies; ask what process they use to verify that their data sets are accurate.

o How much information is included in the search report? Some people search companies only provide the last three mailing addresses and no phone number; others provide all data available for the past ten years, plus current contact information. Request a sample report to find out whether you will get enough information to work with.

Point 2: Customer Service

Not every search is successful at the beginning; some return no results or return too many for the person to identify their query with any certainty. The people search company’s customer service can make the difference between a fruitless and successful search.

Most people search companies only offer email or online support. Look for a people search company that provides an “about us” page and direct contact information, including a phone number. A live service representative can explain difficult portions of the search report or help with technical problems. Some better people search companies even provide an extra service to work directly with search experts who conduct manual searches based on custom criteria. Better service can translate into much better accuracy for a person search.

Point 3: Company History

The threshold to become a people search company is low – essentially just buying a CD of old public records and setting up a website. The only way to determine whether the company is reputable is to do a little research. Look for a few different kinds of company information:

o Better Business Bureau ratings. Many people search companies have “unsatisfactory” ratings with the Better Business Bureau because of poor data quality or customer experiences. A good rating with the Better Business Bureau indicates better quality.

o Time in business. Many people search companies have been in business less than a year. The more time a company is in business, the better their resources and experience.

o Company standards and code of ethics. There are no standards or industry groups for people search companies. Each company sets its own standards, so check out its website for defined limits, such as not performing searches for minors, celebrities, or law enforcement personnel.

What to Search For

Doing research – or just asking direct questions – about a people search company provides a measure of certainty the people search report will contain accurate data. Checking the data quality before running a report increases the likelihood that you receive the information you’re looking for, while checking into the company’s background and service policies ensure that you have a satisfactory experience.

US Search people search and background check services provide accurate information, which helps customers make informed decisions. http://www.ussearch.com

The goal of a people search is to get information. Like every other operation on the Internet, a people search takes some savvy to get trustworthy information. There are a multitude of options from free search engines and white pages to subscription databases. A few simple tips can help you get the right information for whatever kind of search you perform

Tip 1: Know what you’re looking for.

One big thing to remember: there are different kinds of people searches.

You may know the person whom you’re investigating, but to run the right people search, decide what kind of information you need about that person. This is exceptionally important if you are trying to verify someone’s identity for business, for dating, or for other new relationships. Determining up-front what information you need helps target the right kind of search:

o Address history. An address history shows the addresses and phone numbers for a person going back about 10 years to the current address (within the last two months). This is different from a white page search, which only shows the most recent address. This is a basic location search, but can be used as a starting point for a larger identity verification search.

o Current address. This is similar to a phonebook search, but people search company records are updated roughly every two months, which is much faster than other white page directories.

o Names of relatives and associates. Depending on the kind of search, public records and public filings can be used to determine near relatives, partners, associates, and other people related to the person being searched for.

o Criminal background. Criminal background checks show arrests for both felonies and misdemeanors. Along with highlighting criminal behavior, this can also reveal a great deal about a person’s character, such as repeated alcohol-related misdemeanor arrests.

o Civil judgments and pending lawsuits. This kind of search looks for any kind of civil court decisions, such as liens, bankruptcies, small claims judgments, even spousal or child support. It also includes pending actions.

o Marriage, divorce, and birth records. This is a public records search which answers the big questions about a person’s marriage history and whether they have children. Many companies conduct public records searches on a statewide level, not a national level, so be certain to specify where to run the check or to include the entire nation.

o Asset checks. Asset checks look for ownership records for registered assets like houses and real estate, boats, and cars and for other assets like business partnerships. This search also includes bankruptcies and civil judgments.

o Other records. People search companies have access to registration records for boats and planes, military records, alumni records, and many other resources.

Tip 2: Check out the data.

Even a professional people search or public records company can return bad information in a report or supply free information without any other benefits. A good people search company has three prongs to supply good reports:

o Records that go back at least 15 years and databases that are updated every couple of months. The age of records and how long they go back have a big affect on data quality.

o A variety of public and private databases available for searches.

o A complete report, including data that is both current and goes back historically and supplies everything expected for that report type.

If possible, do a sample search on someone you know, and test how accurate the information in the report is. An accurate test report means you can be confident in the final search report quality.

Tip 3: Check out the company.

Check out the people search company’s Better Business Bureau rating. Look at consumer groups for customer complaints, inaccurate reports, or companies that charge for information that you can find for free. There are always complaints from privacy groups – it’s the nature of information-gathering businesses, but there shouldn’t be complaints about their service or quality.

Tip 4: Ask for help.

Not all searches are successful at the first go-round. A few topnotch people search companies offer personal support as part of search packages, so if there are too many results (or no results) from your search, you can ask them directly to help you.

Tip 5: Put yourself out there.

The most common reason for a people search isn’t for identity verification; it’s to reconnect with old acquaintances. The chances are that there are old classmates or distant relatives also trying to find you. Try posting your name on message boards, joining alumni groups, even starting a blog or website to make yourself more visible online, and therefore easier to find.

In Conclusion.

People searches are simple to perform, and following these tips increases the chances that you’ll get the information you need.

US Search people search and background check services offer accurate information, which give customers what they need to make informed decisions.http://www.ussearch.com

If you’re in the process of trying to locate lost loved ones online, the last thing on your mind might be identity theft or fraud. Like any internet-based business however, the information you provide to a people search service may be at a security risk.

People search scammers are experts at obtaining not only your own personal and payment information, but whatever private data you provide them to enable the people search. How can you protect yourself against identity theft and still find someone safely online?

First and foremost, thorough research is a must when you are exploring internet people search options. The simple truth is there is no way to determine whether or not a particular people search service is legitimate based on website appearances alone. It is crucial that you take the time to investigate any service you consider using.

Verify the Authenticity of People Search Services Online

Rate people search services on the following questions before you sign up, register with, or pay for any search, no matter how harmless creating an account might seem.

1. Is there a verifiable address and telephone number for the service? If not, look elsewhere. It should be a simple matter to call and obtain a telephone number for any reputable internet-based people finder.

Be sure the address matches the telephone number with telephone directory listings. Legitimate services will seek to capitalize on their locale as they are specialists in locating individuals in their area. If you are looking for an Australian people search service, it makes sense to verify they are in Australia.

Once you’ve verified the physical address and telephone number of a people search service, contact them directly and rate their responses to the following questions:

2. How long have they been in business?

3. Where were their investigators trained? Can this be verified?

4. What is their success rate? What data can they provide to verify this claim?

5. Can they provide references? Contact at least three references and ask them about their experience with the people search service you’re considering. Did the service help them locate someone? Were they satisfied with the service? How would they rate their experience overall on a scale of 1-10?

6. How will payment be made? Internet-based businesses may accept payment through Pay Pal or another well-known merchant services account. It should always be a secure transaction and the company should provide you with information about the exact nature of their payment security features.

Never send payment information via email – only through a verified secure website. If you prefer to pay by credit card over the telephone, they should allow you to do so. Take note of the time of payment and the name of the individual who processes your transaction.

7. What will they do with the personal information you provide them about yourself and the person you’re looking for? Are the methods they plan to use ethical? Are they legal? If in doubt, have an attorney verify the search methods are legal in the area where the search will be conducted.

A reputable people search service can provide you with information about how they will conduct their search while still protecting the personal data of the individual you are looking for. Ask for a guarantee in writing against fraud either as part of their privacy policy statement or in a separate contract.

8. How soon will your search begin?

9. When you can expect results? How often you will receive updates? Hold the people search service accountable by following through with these commitments.

10. Is there any guarantee? There may be no guarantee you will receive the results you are looking for, or that an individual will be found. But what if nothing at all is found, even data you might find irrelevant?

At the very least people search services should guarantee to provide you with verification of their search efforts. Even if they find nothing, at least you will be assured an honest effort was made.

Article by John Dobson of OZpeopletrace. OZpeopletrace [http://www.ozpeopletrace.com.au/articles-index.php] is a professional people finder service specializing in locating individuals in Australia. To learn more about OZpeopletrace visit www.OZpeopletrace.com.au.

One of the biggest goals in life is to find someone to love and to respect. Technology has come to the rescue for workaholics, single parents, shy people, and everyone else with online dating. With a simple click, dozens of personal and private ads are there to help find a like-minded mate. The easiness of online dating, though, also makes it risky.. Without a face to face connection, many of our own instincts about people are powerless. That’s where a person search is useful – find the truth before you’re emotionally invested.

The Pitfalls of Online Dating

Online dating has gone mainstream; about 50% of single adults in America have tried an online dating service, and another third have friends who have. Whether it’s through personal ads on sites like Craigslist, dating services like Match.com, or social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook, the basic premise for online dating is the same: you upload a personal profile (interests, work, family, faith) and possibly a picture, and can browse other profiles to locate someone compatible.

The biggest weakness of online profiles is that it’s so easy to lie. The most common complaints about online profiles hit the core of who a person is:

o Married and, possibly, with children

o Income level and current job

o Things they own

o Places the person has lived

Some online threats out there can be even more damaging, ranging from spamming to identity theft. And sometimes other people are just predators, playing on the trust and good nature of others. Very few online dating sites have any kind of screening.

People Searches Can Help

A people background search is not about a lack of respect or a violation of privacy. It’s about wisdom to protect yourself and confirm your trust. The little signals that indicate someone is lying don’t show up online, and even honest people smudge the lines of truth a little.

People searches are in-depth background checks, covering everything from property records to court filings, and it can answer the big holes in a profile:

o Where do they live? An address history gives their current address and their known addresses for the past 10 years, a shorthand way to verify their profile description.

o Are they married? A person search checks for both marriage and divorce records. Protect yourself from philanderers – “Technically married” is still married!

o Do they have kids – and how old are they? Young children are an issue for a lot of people – so some profiles leave out kids entirely.

o What is their income level? It sounds mercenary, but money and success do matter. People are most likely to lie about their jobs, income, and assets, but people searches can frequently turn up details about their financial situation, including civil judgments.

A Little More Background on People Searches

There is an important difference between a true person search and simply Googling someone: you know whose information you’re getting. Searching for a name on a search engine can return thousands of hits for unrelated people with a similar name, but does not return vital information, like criminal histories and marriage records. A person search is precise and complete, giving you the information you need.

Basic profile information – current age and city of residence – is enough to narrow people search results to a specific individual, while the people search builds on a more extensive information base, like public databases, military records, and alumni records. People searches also cover aliases (from nicknames to assumed names) for a person, and their known associates, like family members and roommates, invaluable information which simply isn’t available in a search engine.

A good people search company is built on high-quality information. Good information means a variety of public records, extending at least 10 years in the past and updated regularly. The search report itself also contains more pertinent information to the person, like address histories for 15 years, plus marriage and divorce records for specified states. Most importantly, people searches can include criminal background checks (arrests and convictions) and civil proceedings. A sample report (which people search companies will make available) shows the level of detail you’ll get.

Safety First

The big, lurking question: does this person have a criminal record? Finding out is someone has a violent past (like arrests or restraining orders) is a vital safety issue, but it’s a difficult question to ask – so have a people search answer it. A person search is a potential, temporary substitute for your own intuition, so it’s safer to take an online romance into the real world.

US Search people search and background check services offer accurate information, which give customers what they need to make informed decisions. http://www.ussearch.com