In this information age, everyone leaves a digital footprint. And if someone doesn't have it, try looking even harder. With Google, Facebook, Tumblr, LinkedIn, and countless other social media sites, whoever you're looking for is sure to have some of their personal information online. While it can be a little scary at times, it's really easy to find the person you want to find out.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Finding Someone Online
Step 1. Write down all the important information you know about this person
Trying to find someone using their own name might end up being too broad. Make sure your game is more targeted by entering information such as:
- Full name and nickname
- Age and date of birth
- Schools you've attended
- Hobbies, likes and dislikes, team sports (especially at school)
- Work places
- Old address and phone number
- Friends, family members and neighbors
Step 2. Look for some variations of the person's name or nickname
Whenever you come across a page or lead that suggests another part of your profile, write it down on that profile. For example, you might find "Bea Harrington" listed in the Albany, NY Newspaper and "Beatrice R. Harrington" in a flyer in Dallas, TX. Write these two locations on the profile with a question mark. If you find other indications that a person with that name is in one of those locations, place a check mark next to that location.
- To find the right person, place a question mark around each version of their name. (If you're not sure of the spelling, don't use the question mark.) Connect to a major search engine (Google, Yahoo, etc.); The more variations and engines you try, the more information you'll likely find.
- If you suspect the person has gone to another country, especially one where the language spoken is different, try using a foreign search engine. Many major search engines have different versions for different countries (Australia, China, etc.). Try that.
- When looking for a woman who may be married and have changed their name, try adding "née" in the search box with all variations (née is the word used to indicate that the person is using their maiden name).
Step 3. Change your online search by entering other details about that person
Once you've done a full search on that person's name and nickname, do a second one with slight modifications like hometown, age, high school, former workplace, etc. Repeat as needed.
If you know of a particular website that this person might associate with, you can search that site on Google with something like "site: stanford.edu Beatrice Harrington" to focus on those results
Step 4. Use a search engine specifically designed to find people
This allows anyone to do a people search. Try ZabaSearch.com or Pipl.com, for example. Use filtering to narrow your search results.
Lost Trekkers is another place to find missing people. Select the country, mode of transport or other option, and leave details in each relevant forum. You need to register to the ad place. You can search through existing posts to see who might be looking for you or the same person you're looking for
Step 5. Search by that person's last mobile number
Because cell phones are mobile and their number can be transferred to a new cellphone or provider, people's cell phone numbers may be less likely to be changed to their home number. While tracing back a cell phone number usually costs money, you might get lucky with a simple search for the number on various search engines. If that person has registered or advertised their phone number anywhere on the internet, This is likely to appear. Include all the phone numbers in the quote and experiment with hyphens, periods, and parentheses to separate the numbers.
In the United States, a phone's 3-digit area code can be traced back to the location where the phone was issued, which may help you determine other areas where the person has lived or worked. The next three digits of the number are the exchange area; most exchange areas cover a small town, or a section within a city, say 10 x 10 block area. You can call the telephone company in the area, or get a phone book from the area, and create a map of the exchange area, based on the exchange in the book. If you have a phone number and a zip code, you can browse the map and even get a smaller area to search for it
Step 6. Look for white pages online
Enter the name of the person and any other details you think are relevant. However, if you don't specify a location, you'll get results from around the world, which is useful if the person has moved.
- Sometimes, searching by last name will only bring up family members you know. If the white page shows a list of associated people, you may find that person's name listed there. This can be especially helpful if the person you're looking for has changed their last name after marriage, for example.
- Look up the person's zip code if you know one. If you have a 9 digit postal code, it can trace directly to blocks within a city or village. Now you can search the regional directory for this person. If they are not in that directory, call the regional directory assistant. Many people have unlisted numbers which, if they are not in the book, will usually be in the directory assistant.
Step 7. Search for social networking sites
Some people specify that they don't want their public profile to appear in search engine results, so you should go straight to the source. Try searching for things like MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google profiles. If this option is given, be sure to narrow down the results by specifying hometown or school, etc. To search all the major social networking sites at the same time, use a search engine like Wink.com.
Step 8. Consider non-traditional searches
Sometimes Facebook and Google don't give you the exact information you're looking for. If there are…special scenarios this person may be experiencing, you can focus on them rather than the general information on every website that will guarantee.
- Most countries have court search sites where all you have to do is (after understanding the terms and conditions of course) enter the person's name and all their fights appear on a good list. If nothing else, these are interesting and will probably give you their location. (If they are domestic).
- If it's been a while since you've seen this person's hide or hair, consider looking up the SSDI - Social Security Death Index.
- When there are no national sites, most States have records of their convicts. A quick internet query will bring up your country's website (make sure it's.gov)
- The National Personal Records Center is a fairly comprehensive list of military records.
Step 9. Place an ad
If you know where the person is, place an ad on a local online bulletin board (e.g. Craigslist). Explain who you are looking for and why. Leave a contact information form that you don't mind getting spammed with (e.g. an email address that you purposely created for this purpose).
- If you want a long term ad, create a simple website using their name as a keyword. If they ever search for their own name, your site will probably come up.
- If you don't know the location of this person but you know where they went to school, what their career is, or what hobbies/interests they pursue, try posting on forums and email lists ("listservs"). Always remember the person's privacy; don't reveal any misleading information you know about them
Step 10. Consider posting on a friend-finding forum carefully
Friends search forums are available and moderated by "search angels" or volunteers who use specialized human search engines. However, it's possible that the person you're looking for will receive their relevant details distributed to strangers online – especially the type of person who hasn't left a single piece of paper trail until now.
Method 2 of 3: Finding Someone Through Alternative Means
Step 1. Ask around
Connect with other people who know the specific person you're looking for (or can connect you to someone who does). Ask them about the last time they saw them, spoke to them, or other personal information such as their last known email address or phone number.
Be sure to explain why you are looking for this person. They may not tell you anything to protect this person's privacy, but they will probably tell the person you're looking for them, and this person may want to contact you. Leave your name and phone number for that purpose
Step 2. Look into organizations the person may have joined or been associated with
It could be a hobby, church, non-profit, or professional organization. Ask for a copy of their membership directory if one exists, and check the person's name there.
It's also a great place to find people who might know something. If they can't tell you where the person really is, they might just get you one step closer
Step 3. Consider spending a little money
If you're really having a hard time finding this person, spending a little money might get you to the information you're looking for. Sites like www.intelius.com (which is actually used by zabasearch.com) usually have more comprehensive data but charge for their data. If you are willing, this will solve your problem.
If the internet can't or won't do it, consider hiring a privacy investigator. If you're unlucky, or you don't have enough time to track down this person. It might be better to pay a professional to do it
Step 4. Make some phone calls
While this might sound a little weird, the best way to get to this person is through “their” network. Whatever you last found out about them, give them a call. Whether it's the boss, ex-girlfriend, or neighbor, make the call. It's definitely better than looking all over the place.
Make sure to be friendly and appear sane. Today the world is filled with negative media where strangers will question us about one of our friends very suspiciously. You might get some nasty responses, but you might as well succeed
Step 5. Visit the courthouse
An online search will return similar results, sometimes a visit to the local courthouse (or any nearby court) can yield new information. Find a public records office and do good to its officers. Who knows? Maybe there is something behind it that can get you on the right track.
Warning, there may be a fee. This should be quite significant. Just be thankful they don't spread public records too, like candy
Method 3 of 3: Finding Someone Who Is Missing
Step 1. Call the police
When you are absolutely certain that this person has disappeared, contact local law enforcement. Unfortunately, humans are disappearing every day and there is a routine for this activity.
Make sure to give them all the information about the person: age, height, hair color, eye color, skin tone, other distinguishing features, what they used when they lost their typing, etc. Give them their current photo and fingerprint (if you have one) too
Step 2. Data an online notification
NMAUPS (National Missing and Unidentified Persons System) is the largest system in the United States for searching for missing persons. Create an online notification that everyone, including law enforcement, will have access to the information. You will be able to keep up to date with the latest information accordingly and see if anyone else has published more information.
There are also national centers for missing and exploited children, national associations for the mentally handicapped, and and national health care for the homeless – if your person fits any of these categories, consider doing a search on their respective sites
Step 3. Search through their social profiles thoroughly
Whether it's a young child, teenager, or a fully grown person, search their social profiles (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) for clues to what may have happened. They may have posted something you didn't even notice.
Look into their friends' profiles too – the information will probably be in there. You might expect to contact these friends to ask if they've heard anything. Sometimes humans seek refuge from others that they don't have to face
Step 4. Post photos around the city
Hopefully the person is still in the area – and if they are, pasting a photo around town is your only way to warn those around you. Other people will be able to monitor and contact you if they see something.
Enter all important information (like what you give the police) and make sure to include a few phone numbers where you can be reached. Give at least your first name and when you can be contacted, whether morning or evening
Step 5. Search your home, neighborhood, and local hospital
In situations like this, it's a little impossible to sit at home and expect someone else to take care of everything. When you're done with all the nooks and crannies of your house (or have them), expand into the surrounding area, then into the city, and call the hospital later. It's not something fun, but it's necessary.
When contacting the hospital, be sure to describe the person you are looking for. They may not use their real names. Bring the current photo to make the process go faster
Step 6. Tell friends, family, and neighbors
The more people who can be vigilant, the better. You not only have to drain your social network, but also drain theirs. Whether it's the barista at strabucks they see every monday to friday morning or a street crosser during the day, let them know.
If possible, contact these people with information as well as photos. People who know him may need a photo to remind him
Step 7. Notify the media
When you've done all the basic tasks for your area, contact the media. The best way to reach a large audience is through local TV stations, newspapers, and other publications. Hopefully someone has seen it somewhere.
Remember everyone is by your side. There is no need to feel ashamed, or guilty about this situation. You are doing what you can to ensure this person returns safely
Tips
- Honestly if you're looking for someone, don't pretend you just happened to be in town. Be open about your search efforts. It might be embarrassing, but this person would probably be flattered. If this makes them feel uncomfortable, understand and don't contact them again. The worst thing that could possibly happen if you continue to interact with this person is later on, they find out that you've looked up everything about them. This may be worrying and disturbing, especially if you are hiding something from them.
- Change your mind. He may not be someone you once knew. Their appearance, preferences, lifestyle and habits may have changed dramatically, even in a short period of time. All the information may already be extensive. Don't throw out new information because "He would never move there" or "He would never do that." You also have to accept the possibility that the person has died or been imprisoned.
- Find someone you can trust to help if you feel this is important enough to involve other people. And also be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of doing this yourself.
Warning
- Don't lie to other people to get them to give you information. Not only is it unethical, but the person you are looking for will find out what you are doing and become suspicious of you.
- Doing this with the intention of stalking someone (even just looking at them) can get you a restraining order and ultimately arrest.
- If you don't want to be found, don't use personal information online, moreover there's no need to enter your home address, so don't.
- Always remember that this person may not necessarily want to meet you.
- These are also the steps that others can use to find you.
- Be prepared to pay for online services that advertise to help you find someone.
