These days, you have to be really careful when you meet someone new, especially if you're looking for a babysitter, dating someone you meet online, or hiring someone for a sensitive job. While you can pay a private detective to find someone's fault, using a variety of online tools can provide a lot of information and insight. However, don't believe everything you read.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Finding General Notes
Step 1. Know what to find
When you search a person's general records, you will only find a small amount of information. You may find a hold record, but the details usually won't be explained. Sometimes, some reports can be contradictory because the source and time of data collection are different. Never fully trust what you read, and try to check the information you find through other sources.
Even information as simple as someone's favorite music or movie can be untrue. They probably made it five years ago and their tastes have probably changed by now
Step 2. Understand what information can be accessed
Information that can be found from public records can be simple information such as name, address, and telephone number. In some areas, you can search for information on date of birth, date of death, marriage and divorce records, as well as criminal, court, and sex offence records. Licensing information, property, and other records are only owned by the government and certain organizations.
Step 3. Use a general records search engine
There are various sites that allow you to search public records for free, and many sites provide a paid search service. Keep in mind that some public records are not free, and getting the right permissions and authorizations can take some time. In addition, records owned by a site may be out of date. Here are some great sites to start your search on:
-
Free Public Records Search Directory - This site allows you to search the general records of each state, or federally. If a note cannot be found through a search, you will often be given contact information to retrieve the note. You need to know the general location of the person you want to track.
-
Family Watchdog - This site contains the National Sex Offender Registry, and allows you to search for offenders by name or location. Keep in mind that details of violations are usually not provided, which can create a negative impression without evidence.
-
- Local "Department of Corrections" Site - Most states allow you to access publicly available criminal records. Each state has its own website address, but you can find it easily by typing "department of corrections" into a search engine.
Step 4. Use a paid search service
A paid general records search may yield more results than a free search, but keep in mind that you can find paid search results if you spend time contacting various agencies. If you don't have the time to do so, paying for a search service will be more efficient, in terms of time or money.
Part 2 of 3: Doing a Web Search
Step 1. Use a people search engine
There are various search engine sites that are devoted to finding information about a person through their public social network profiles and their online activities. These searches are usually free, although most sites provide a paid advanced search service. Using multiple services at once will help you get clearer information. The following are some popular people search sites:
- Pipl - This site will display social network information, age, and location for free. You only need to enter a name, although you can narrow the search results by entering a location. However, a common name will yield many results.
- 123People - This site will also display social networking information, but will also display links to public records searches and paid criminal record checks.
- ZabaSearch - This site will display the same information, and provide quick links to paid name and phone number searches.
Step 2. Do a search with multiple search engines
While it may seem obvious, you can actually find a lot of information about a person through a web search. The more you know about someone, the more results you will find from a search. Use multiple search engines to find more results that one search engine might not find.
- Do a search by name. This search is the most basic search, and will usually show social network profiles and all mentions in local media.
- Do a search by email. Searching for someone's email address might return a list of sites that list the email address -- but not the name -- of the person involved. You probably won't find a lot of results with this search, but at least they can be additional results
- Perform a username search, for example by looking for the person's email address without a domain. For example, if the email address in question is [email protected], search for the keyword "cutecat74". Often, people register on forums and other websites with just their standard username. Therefore, this search will help you find the results of their forum posts and give you an idea of what's in the person's head.
Step 3. Compare your search results
Most likely you will get various search results from various sources. Remember that you should assume that the information you receive is incorrect or incomplete. Compare your results and see if any patterns form. This comparison will help you ensure that your search results are at least fairly accurate.
Part 3 of 3: Searching the Extreme Way
Step 1. Create a fake Facebook profile
This step is pretty dirty, but you might be able to create a fake profile (with an interesting photo, preferably), and send a friend request to the person in question. Having some friends in common will help you. Making friends on Facebook will generally give you access to their personal information which is only shown to friends.
Many people consider this step a serious invasion of privacy, so do it only if you feel you really need to. Be prepared to face the consequences and be branded a stalker if you get caught
Step 2. Talk to the person concerned
The only way to know the truth of the information you receive is to speak directly to the person concerned. If you're the interviewer, you should be able to question issues that might come out without a problem. If you're investigating someone privately, you may have to exercise caution in doing so.
Tips
- Searching for general records can be very expensive. You can also hire an investigator, who may be better suited for this task but will be more expensive.
- Most records are available at the state or provincial level. Each state has several levels of access to different records. Try using a search engine and type "*State Name* *Record Type* Record Search" (eg "California Birth Records Search")
- Most local police departments have records that you can view, but they are not available online. The US federal or state government usually has an online records search engine.
- Try searching the database by last name only (if the last name isn't as common as Smith or Johnson, for example).
- Ancestry.com has a large number of genealogical databases to search.
- Write down the important things you know and don't know about the subject. Try making a list, or a collection of documents about the person so that you have enough information about them.
Warning
- Be careful when registering with "detective" sites. The more searches the site performs, the greater the cost. You also still have to pay a large fee at the beginning of the search.
- If there is a legal problem, submit it to the authorities.
