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Q. I am an employer who wishes to
conduct Background Checks. How can this be done with this
software?
A. This is a broad question, that requires a broad
response. The best source, for any free information, is the
"Public Records" area of Government or State records. These
can be located in this program by accessing the "Background
Wizard" button on the left-hand category menu. Also see: "Background
Investigations"
Q. I'm searching for an individual.
I've exhausted the "people search" areas of Yahoo, AOL, etc.
What's next?
A. Consider looking at the Public Records sites
available. (either State or Federal) Almost everyone has to
sign up for a Government service at some time. Whether it be a
Driver's license or a Professional License. You must think of
the things you know about this person. (if anything) Then
search possible databases which they must be listed in. i.e.
Were they in nursing? How about checking the Professional
License databases or various states? This may give you
their last know address.
Q. How do I determine which court
handles which types of cases? I'm looking for my "deadbeat
dad" ex-husband.
A. Each State handles cases involving dead-beat dads
in a different manner. An excellent way to begin your
education on the court system ( in an effort to make your
searches more successful) is to tap into the PACER electronic
web sites pages at: http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/.
Registration is free. At $.60 per minute for access...if you
have done your previous searching homework...i.e. possible
state you need access, etc., this could be a real bargain.
Instead of hiring an outside investigator at hundreds of
dollars, you might spend one hour and find all the court
evidence you need... for a fraction of the cost charged by
private investigators.
The point here is that your "deadbeat dad" may also be
delinquent in other areas of his life. i.e. Bankruptcy court,
Judgments for payment of other financial responsibilities,
etc. A great place to start would be in the "Background
Investigations" section of the program.
Q. How do I find Unlisted Phone
Numbers?
A. Unlisted Phone numbers are usually not accessible
in the traditional "search" sense, without charge. (E-mail us
for a special site we have created to assist you. Refer to the
Help section for contact information.)
However, think of the many places one would have to list
their telephone number.
- For instance, a "speeding ticket". Accessible through
the Public records area of the State information, under DMV.
- How about a "Bankruptcy" filing. If you have located the
person you are searching for under the "Bankruptcy" or other
Public record areas, chances are you will find their phone
number as well. (Note: A Social Security Number is often
found in this way)
Actually, in many cases locating an unlisted number is not
that difficult. While there is no complete online database
containing all unlisted numbers, there are procedures you can
follow that will generally assure your success.
First, it is important to understand the difference between
"unlisted " and "unpublished".
"UNLISTED" means "not in the printed book AND not available
from Directory Assistance." The official term is
"Non-Published Number."
STEP 1) First option, seldom used, called "Directory
Assistance Listing Service," which means that it's not in the
book, but "is" available from D.A. . You just may find that
the number you are looking for is unpublished but listed. So,
start there. You may get lucky.
STEP 2) You can find someone's unlisted or unpublished
number from a reverse telephone number directory (sometimes
called reverse address books). Many cities have them for
businesses. You look up a street address and voila - Name,
telephone number, occupation, income level, number of
children, names ... yadda yadda yadda!
Sometimes they call themselves the blue pages or the pink
pages depending on whether or not the government pages are
blue in the phone book. These directories are also frequently
used by real estate firms to locate the occupants of homes and
get their phone number and name. Check your local library.
STEP 3) Often , unlisted phone numbers can be found in a
search of public documents. Here are a few that an individual
is usually required to give a phone number.
a) MOTOR
VEHICLE DEPARTMENT RECORDS
b) VOTER REGISTRATION (pubic
records but generally not available online ,yet)
c) COURT
DOCUMENTS
d) CITY OR COUNTY TAX RECORDS
e) CHECK FOR AN
ONLINE PERSONAL WEB PAGE (many times people will place their
phone number on their personal web page for family
members)
If all else fails, go to step 4 below:
STEP 4) The "emergency process". Example: A girlfriend I
lost touch with has an unlisted phone number in Seattle,
Washington, how can I find out her number without paying
anyone to find it for me?
Answer: You can call the operator and say it is an
emergency. The operator will call her and give her your number
to call you back if she so desires.
These methods are not guaranteed but will work in the vast
majority of cases. Keep in mind, that if you are tempted to
save yourself some time, and use the assistance of a private
detective, make sure to contract to pay only when they find
the number, and not just for trying.
Q. How do I locate an E-mail
address?
A. This subject is covered in many areas of the
program. The program's unique search capabilities, together
with the "Search Wizard", will give you access to numerous
e-mail web site directories. As in all searches, any
information you already have about the individual you are
seeking will greatly enhance your chances of finding the
individual.
- Are they in college? Many sites exist which give the
e-mail address of the student body as well as the alumni.
- Are they retired? Did they retire from the Government or
Military?
- Might they still be a member of a group of "retired"
individuals who have a dedicated web site?
In other words, don't just rely on the typical "Yahoo" or
"Alta Vista" type e-mail searches. Use the information you may
already know, or have gleaned from previous searches and
incorporate it into an e-mail search. (Note: This is where the
Case Log can come in very handy.)
We suggest reading "FAQ: How to find people's E-mail
addresses" at http://www.qucis.queensu.ca/FAQs/email/bigfinding.html.
This site is maintained by David Alex Lamb(copyright©
1994-2001 David Alex Lamb). Mr. Lamb provides a large list of
techniques to use in locating an e-mail address.
Q. What types of Court records can I
search?
A. Probably the most common records the software is
used for include, divorce records, marriage records, abstract
of judgment records, real property and Tax Assessor records.
Also, criminal records, sexual offender records, county
recorder records, traffic court records and so on. They are
all a wealth of information about people, businesses and their
ownership.
Most States break the courts down into "Upper" and "Lower"
courts. Depending on the nature of the offense, a person
arrested in a certain county could be tried in either one.
Ascertaining the differences in each court's responsibility
would be your first "detective" assignment, then proceeding
from there to your particular search criteria, should produce
the desired results and information.
Q. I've searched for the Social Security
Number of someone on-line and have been unable to locate it
(for free). Any suggestions?
A. Social Security Number's can often be found from:
- Family members, bank statements, credit reports, former
employers, Income Tax returns, and military records.
- Former employers are the best bet, but they are unlikely
to give you this information. If you are trying to get some
sort of "humanitarian" type letter or information to the SSN
holder, you may wish to try this.
- Social Security Administration.
They will have the person's home address, only if he/ she
is receiving a pension or other benefit, otherwise the
letter will be sent to the place of employment.
If possible, supply the person's parent's name or the
person's last know place and approximate time period of
employment.
The letter you wish to have forwarded should have a
"humanitarian purpose" and contain information that the
recipient would undoubtedly want to be informed of. It can't
contain anything, which when read by the third party, could
prove embarrassing to the missing person.
Send the unsealed letter you wish to have forwarded,
along with a cover letter stating your reason for wanting to
contact the person, the last time you heard from them, and
that all other methods of reaching this person have failed.
The address is:
Social Security
Administration,
Letter Forwarding Service
3-a-6
Operations building
6401 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD
21235
Q. I just want to get a Credit Report
on someone, quick. Do I always have to pay such high
fees?
A. Many people are in the business of providing
credit reports. Fees for this service vary, depending on the
company. You might wish to try a service available at the
Lost Angeles County Public Library, at (800)-582-1093. We're
told they charge about $20.00. Half the going rate. You will
need the social security number and you can pay by credit
card.
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