There are a number of reasons why you might want to track someone down -- that person may be an old friend, relative, or old colleague of yours. If you are not aware of their whereabouts, you will need to track them down to find up-to-date contact information.
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Method 1 of 3: Gathering Information about the Person to Track
Step 1. Gather information about the person you are tracking
- Write the person's name, starting with the full name. If he has a nickname, include that nickname as well. If you know your birth or post-wedding name, don't forget to write it down as well.
- Write down the age or approximate age of the person you want to track.
- Write down the last address. Add any information indicating that he has moved. For example, your old neighbors might tell you that they recently moved from Sragen to Yogyakarta for work.
Step 2. Find the person's last contact information, including phone number, email address, and social network accounts
Step 3. Record the person's last job, to your knowledge
If he has a career in a particular field, his name may be on business or professional networking sites that may display his contact information.
Step 4. Call a friend or mutual contact of the person
Ask about interests or hobbies in question. These hobbies/interests may make the person visit certain hobby sites/blogs.
Try to find as many of the person's friends and relatives as possible -- he or she may be found through these "connections."
Step 5. Look for the name in question through an internet search engine
Search engines can be used to find names and addresses.
- Search engines can also link the person's name to social networking accounts, blogs, professional networks, and specialized networks.
- To search for someone's name on Google, write down the person's name and the area where he lives (if known), for example "Siti Maryam Bandung". If the person's name is very common, you can narrow your search results by looking for their full name, place of residence and any other personal information you may have.
- You can also write down the relevant phone number (if you have one) on Google to find the full name and address.
Step 6. Search the internet for the person's family members, friends and colleagues
Relationships with these people can help you track down "missing people" through friends, family, or colleagues.
Step 7. Search for the person on social networks
Social networks like Facebook and MySpace allow you to search for members by name, location, alma mater, or interests.
- Write the person's full name and last place of residence in the MySpace or Facebook search bar.
- You can also search for the person's profile on social networks using Google, by typing the name of the site and the name of the person you want to track, followed by the year they graduated from university (if known), for example "www.myspace.com 1999 Budi Susanto".
Method 2 of 3: Using People Tracking Sites
Step 1. Track people with free tracking sites
Most tracking sites will provide basic information for free, but charge a fee if you want to access more information. Please note that entering your email address and password on tracking sites allows access to your personal information, unless otherwise stated on the registration page.
- PeekYou - this site is a good people search site. This site searches people on 60 social networking sites, blogs, and other online resources.
- WhitePages - a user friendly site for finding someone's address in the US.
- Zabasearch - this comprehensive search engine lets you search for a person's address and phone number, including hidden phone numbers and addresses.
- Pipl - this search engine claims to be able to find information that Google can't find by searching people on the "deep web". Initial search results on this site can be accessed free of charge, but you will be charged a fee to access more information.
- PrivateEye - this site can provide information on names, addresses, phone numbers, marriage records, bankruptcy records, and more. The site provides basic information such as full name, city, age, and possible family members for free, but information such as phone number and address is only available after you pay.
- PublicRecordsNow - this site lets you search for public records by name, phone number, email or address of a person.
Step 2. Use a comprehensive tracking site
Sites like wink.com allow you to search across multiple sites and services simultaneously with a comprehensive search. These sites can save you time and help you gather as much information as possible about a person on various sites.
Step 3. Use a paid special search site
There are several search sites with services that are not very comprehensive and only provide search parameters for certain information about a person.
These sites charge less than comprehensive tracking sites, ranging from $5-10. The site can search for tracking parameters such as name, location, email address, address, phone number, SSN number and license plate
Step 4. Perform a search on a full-service search site
For more information, do a search on sites like Intelius.com and Checkpeople.com.
These sites charge $50-100 to perform a search, but are likely to provide complete information about the person you're looking for
Method 3 of 3: Paying a Private Investigator
Step 1. Get an investigator's recommendation if possible -- ask a friend you trust for it
You are also encouraged to seek information about the investigator.
- Use search engines such as PInow.com to search for selected, tested and qualified private investigators.
- You can also (and should) request contactable references from your prospective private investigator.
Step 2. Check the investigator's permission
Professional private detectives should be able to provide their license numbers quickly. You can then check the number at the nearest government office to ensure the validity of the license, match the license with the name of the holder, and complain to the licensee.
The states that do not require a detective license are Idaho, Mississippi, South Dakota and Wyoming. Ownership of a license is also considered voluntary in Colorado
Step 3. Arrange a meeting with the investigator
Most investigators will provide initial consultation services free of charge. This consultation allows you to get to know the investigator and assures you that the investigator does have an office.
Be aware that the investigator of your choice will only be seen in a public place or by telephone. You should be able to ensure that you can easily meet the investigator in his office during the search process
Step 4. Discuss the background, experience, and educational level of the investigator
It's a good idea to find a detective who specializes in the case you need/finds the person you're looking for.
Make sure the investigator has insurance. Most professional investigators have insurance worth up to several million dollars. Although insurance is not required for all jobs, if something happens during the tracking period, you as the "boss" will be responsible if the investigator does not have insurance
Step 5. Ask the investigator for tracking costs
Charges may vary depending on the search you are conducting and who you are looking for, so discuss all costs before you decide to hire the investigator.
- Trained investigators with high flying hours usually charge more.
- Ask if the investigator has a flat rate plan for basic searches such as background searches, personal searches such as cell phone number searches, criminal record or police number searches, as well as house searches and car/GPS tracking.
- Ask for hourly tracking fees. This fee will vary depending on the skill of the investigator and the amount of information the investigator must seek. Investigation fees may range from $40-100 per hour (or more).
Step 6. Discuss bail with the investigator
Some private investigators may request bail, depending on the service you are requesting and the investigation conducted.
- Factors such as travel time, estimated tracking time, urgency, and accommodation costs will affect the size of the guarantee.
- If you use the service through an attorney, you usually don't have to pay a warranty as long as your attorney pays for the tracking service.
Step 7. Sign a contract with the investigator
This contract should describe all the services to be performed, and ensure confidentiality between you and the investigator.
The contract also requires the investigator to write down all tracking activities, as well as make a record or list of work that has been done
Step 8. Be prepared to accept information that investigators may or may not provide
There is no guarantee that the investigator will be able to successfully track or find the person you wish to trace. However, if the investigators perform well, they may find information about the person you are looking for. You must be prepared to receive this information.
