People Search
We all have people in our lives with whom we’ve lost touch, and others we would like to track down for other reasons. Whether you are in search of an old flame, a new employee or a deadbeat debtor, the internet can be your friend. The electronic age has provided us with a wealth of tools that make searching for people easier and faster than ever. Searches that once required weeks or even months of research and hundreds of dollars in fees can now be completed in a matter of minutes and at a cost so low it is nearly free.
Of course it is important to know how to get started, and just as important to know where to look. The vast amount of information stored on the linked computer networks that make up the World Wide Web can be overwhelming, and it is important to target your searches appropriately for the best results.
It is also important to know when the low tech approach may be the best way to start. For instance, we often overlook the value of those paper phone directories that fill our homes. While it is true that cell phones are now ubiquitous, just about everyone has a landline, and searching the phone directory for the city where the individual is last known to have lived can reveal a great deal. Even if the individual cannot be located, a search of the telephone directory can provide the names and numbers of relatives, neighbors and others who may have relevant information.
Public records can also provide a great deal of information on the individual being sought. One of the most effective places to start is at the state’s department of motor vehicles. Many states allow individuals to search these records, and such a search can reveal everything from driving records to current addresses to vehicle registration information.
Employment records can also be quite valuable when conducting a people search. If you know the name of the person’s current employer you may be able to call his or her supervisor to solicit additional information. Former employers can also provide relevant information, including addresses, phone numbers and even favorite hangouts. Of course not every employer will be so forthcoming, but it never hurts to ask. Approaching the subject professionally and explaining the nature of the inquiry from the start can be quite effective.
Neighbors can be a rich source of information when searching for an individual as well. Skip tracers and bill collectors have long used this tactic, and it can be quite an effective technique for tracking down those hard to find individuals. As with employer searches, the effectiveness of talking to neighbors will vary, but the neighbors often know a great deal and they may be willing to share what they have learned.
The online world can also provide valuable clues regarding the whereabouts of individuals. The effectiveness of any online search can be greatly enhanced with additional information, including the information gathered by conducting employer, telephone and neighbor inquiries. While simply inputting a common name may not reveal much, adding other relevant information such as city of residence, employer name and the names of relatives can provide extremely focused results.
The bottom line is that there is no one right way to conduct a people search on or offline. Effective searches require a combination of techniques, but the results can be quite satisfying and productive.
Last modified May 1, 2008Author 1593 > has blogged 22 times
