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Finding Missing Persons: How New Online Searches Can Help You Locate Someone Who Has Dropped Out of Sigh
Every
day, in towns and cities across the country, people go
missing.
Sometimes they're the victim of crime. But in most cases, they
drop out
of sight because they have been traumatized or broken down by family,
spouse, or society. Some are trying to escape some
problem, crime they committed or avoid some responsibility.
People
who disappear can include those who are:
- Responsible for an accident but do not want to pay for damages or face legal action
- Avoiding alimony or child support payments
- Deeply In debt and unwilling to work out payment
- Running from Law Enforcement or the Courts
- Evading taxes or liens or other obligations
If you are looking for a missing person, you should be aware of how searches on the Internet can now help you locate
them.
- Responsible for an accident but do not want to pay for damages or face legal action
- Avoiding alimony or child support payments
- Deeply In debt and unwilling to work out payment
- Running from Law Enforcement or the Courts
- Evading taxes or liens or other obligations
If you are looking for a missing person, you should be aware of how searches on the Internet can now help you locate
them.
You
Can Now Get Access to Data while Sitting at Your Computer that Before
Could Only Be Uncovered using
Costly Private Investigators
It used to be expensive to track down a missing person. You had to hire a private detective and pay them by the hour
to do a "locate."
Not any more - not now that so many public records and business databases are available through the Internet. Anyone
with online access and a bit of determination can do the same kind of investigative work themselves. There are no
guarantees you'll find the person you're searching for, just as there were never any guarantees with paid investigators. But
the cost is minimal and no one will be more motivated than you to keep at it until you succeed.
What makes it so easy is a new breed of web-based investigative search services. Sometimes referred to as Internet
Detective or Personal Search services, these specialized services give you the speedy, accurate access to all kinds of
formerly hard-to-get information.
Note that these search services are not the same as the general search engines you may already use, like Google or
Yahoo. The general search engines are not the best way to hunt for someone who's missing. The private search services
are best because they're optimized for finding people. Rather than a search making you scroll through thousands of
unrelated listings, they take you directly to the data you need.
Costly Private Investigators
It used to be expensive to track down a missing person. You had to hire a private detective and pay them by the hour
to do a "locate."
Not any more - not now that so many public records and business databases are available through the Internet. Anyone
with online access and a bit of determination can do the same kind of investigative work themselves. There are no
guarantees you'll find the person you're searching for, just as there were never any guarantees with paid investigators. But
the cost is minimal and no one will be more motivated than you to keep at it until you succeed.
What makes it so easy is a new breed of web-based investigative search services. Sometimes referred to as Internet
Detective or Personal Search services, these specialized services give you the speedy, accurate access to all kinds of
formerly hard-to-get information.
Note that these search services are not the same as the general search engines you may already use, like Google or
Yahoo. The general search engines are not the best way to hunt for someone who's missing. The private search services
are best because they're optimized for finding people. Rather than a search making you scroll through thousands of
unrelated listings, they take you directly to the data you need.
Basic
Techniques You Can Use to Locate Someone
When you begin looking for someone, the first step is to collect as much physical information as possible about the
subject. If the person is part of your own family, you'll probably already have personal information available. Pull out any
old files and records. Look for clubs or organizations they belonged to. Get bank or investment account numbers. In
particular look for any type of identifying records like a driver's license, employee id, etc. A Social Security Number is
the most important identifier you can have.
If the person you're searching for is not someone you knew personally, gather information from anyone who did know
them, if possible. If you aren't able to get this information, there are ways to get it online through the search services. It
just makes it easier if you have some information to start with.
Organize what you collect and analyze it for any hints at where the person might have gone. Sometimes you'll find a clue
to where the subject is hiding right in this first batch of information. It just wasn't apparent earlier because no one had
examined the material closely enough.
What's more common, though, is to find links to other people or organizations that can assist you in your search. That's
the professional investigator's secret - to find a missing person, first find other people who know them and can lead you
to them.
At times, finding a missing person is as easy as calling up a former associate. The associate knows and can tell you the
subject's current whereabouts.
When you begin looking for someone, the first step is to collect as much physical information as possible about the
subject. If the person is part of your own family, you'll probably already have personal information available. Pull out any
old files and records. Look for clubs or organizations they belonged to. Get bank or investment account numbers. In
particular look for any type of identifying records like a driver's license, employee id, etc. A Social Security Number is
the most important identifier you can have.
If the person you're searching for is not someone you knew personally, gather information from anyone who did know
them, if possible. If you aren't able to get this information, there are ways to get it online through the search services. It
just makes it easier if you have some information to start with.
Organize what you collect and analyze it for any hints at where the person might have gone. Sometimes you'll find a clue
to where the subject is hiding right in this first batch of information. It just wasn't apparent earlier because no one had
examined the material closely enough.
What's more common, though, is to find links to other people or organizations that can assist you in your search. That's
the professional investigator's secret - to find a missing person, first find other people who know them and can lead you
to them.
At times, finding a missing person is as easy as calling up a former associate. The associate knows and can tell you the
subject's current whereabouts.
If
these basic steps don't result
in locating the missing person, the next step is to move to the
Internet. Below are some
of the common steps that professionals use to gather information online that helps them track down a subject. You can
use these same techniques by conducting your own hunt through an investigative search service.
of the common steps that professionals use to gather information online that helps them track down a subject. You can
use these same techniques by conducting your own hunt through an investigative search service.
Techniques
Professional
Investigators Use Online That You Can Use Too
1. Do a profile search. Look up all people with the same initial and last name, city and state. If you don't get promising
results at first, and the name isn't too common, expand the search to other cities and states. In particular, look in the
areas where the subject had relatives, friends, business dealings or other connections. Once you get a list, try contacting
them. One of them may well be who you're searching for.
2. If you have a Social Security Number, do an SSN trace through the credit bureaus. Credit bureaus are the most
likely place to find anyone's most current address and phone number. Professional investigators say this is usually the
best way to locate someone who's trying to hide. That's because most people don't realize all the different types of
activities they do that trigger address updates to their credit record. Everything from filling out an employment application,
to renting a new apartment and getting the utilities turned on.
3. Search Voter Registration databases. This one is frequently overlooked but often effective. The reason is that those
who disappear tend to build a new life based on their old one. If the voted before, they'll likely register to vote again.
The records are kept by state offices but collected and available through better specialized search services.
4. Search Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings. These are lien notices filed locally and maintained by each state.
The Search Services collect the data so you can access it more easily. UCC's are created to document a lien placed on
property for which a loan has been made. It's valuable in tracking a missing person because it can lead you to a business
that has had dealings with the person. It's possible you can get contact information through them.
There are a variety of other databases you can access easily through an online Investigative Search service. From post
office Change of Address records to Driver's License Information to Vehicle Registrations for the missing person's car'
or truck -- even records of traffic tickets. Any one of these database searches can either provide a current address for
your subject or a link to someone else that can eventually lead you to them.
1. Do a profile search. Look up all people with the same initial and last name, city and state. If you don't get promising
results at first, and the name isn't too common, expand the search to other cities and states. In particular, look in the
areas where the subject had relatives, friends, business dealings or other connections. Once you get a list, try contacting
them. One of them may well be who you're searching for.
2. If you have a Social Security Number, do an SSN trace through the credit bureaus. Credit bureaus are the most
likely place to find anyone's most current address and phone number. Professional investigators say this is usually the
best way to locate someone who's trying to hide. That's because most people don't realize all the different types of
activities they do that trigger address updates to their credit record. Everything from filling out an employment application,
to renting a new apartment and getting the utilities turned on.
3. Search Voter Registration databases. This one is frequently overlooked but often effective. The reason is that those
who disappear tend to build a new life based on their old one. If the voted before, they'll likely register to vote again.
The records are kept by state offices but collected and available through better specialized search services.
4. Search Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings. These are lien notices filed locally and maintained by each state.
The Search Services collect the data so you can access it more easily. UCC's are created to document a lien placed on
property for which a loan has been made. It's valuable in tracking a missing person because it can lead you to a business
that has had dealings with the person. It's possible you can get contact information through them.
There are a variety of other databases you can access easily through an online Investigative Search service. From post
office Change of Address records to Driver's License Information to Vehicle Registrations for the missing person's car'
or truck -- even records of traffic tickets. Any one of these database searches can either provide a current address for
your subject or a link to someone else that can eventually lead you to them.
Final Word
If you need to find someone who's missing, you can now use one of the new Investigative Search services to help you
locate them. These services collect the data in one easy to use database or provide easy to use look up tools with
automatic tie-ins to the public databases you need to search. That makes searching for a missing person faster, easier
and more likely to end successfully.
If you need to find someone who's missing, you can now use one of the new Investigative Search services to help you
locate them. These services collect the data in one easy to use database or provide easy to use look up tools with
automatic tie-ins to the public databases you need to search. That makes searching for a missing person faster, easier
and more likely to end successfully.
People Search: How to Quickly and Easily Find Someone You Lost Track Of
Recently my wife's sister got curious about what had happened to her first husband after they split. That marriage had
ended badly and they hadn't been in contact for nearly thirty years. She tried searching for her ex-husband's name on
Google and Yahoo but didn't get any hits. Knowing I do research online in my work as a professional writer, she
asked if I could find out anything.
I write for business and technical publications, so I use a number of high-priced databases for in-depth research. But
I suggested she try a simpler alternative - a solution I use myself when I want to find someone quickly and easily. I
recommended she try one of the people search database services. Even the better ones cost so little, they're
practically free. Most offer a trial period. I gave her the name of one to try.
She was dubious. She's not very comfortable using her computer for much more than email. Her stab at the search
engines had already left her flustered. Now she was going to have to "sign up for something and learn something
completely new... oh my goodness," was the way she put it.
Yet, later the same day I suggested it, she emailed back excitedly. In just minutes, she'd found out all kinds of
information about her ex. It turned out that he'd done something of a turnaround after they'd broken up. Their
divorce resulted from fights over his serious drinking problem. After they broke up, though, he'd eventually gone
back to med school, gotten his MD and become an orthopedic surgeon. He'd even been instrumental in developing
some sort of device used by other surgeons in his field.
Unfortunately,
the poor fellow had passed, but at least my sister-in-law found comfort
in knowing that things had
worked out for him after all. She remarked that even though their relationship ended in the worst imaginable way, it
had started from a good point. She said she hadnt really wanted to contact him. She just wanted to know what had
happened to him.
Sometimes all we want is just to satisfy our curiosity about what happened to someone we've lost track of. Most of us
have an old friend or acquaintance we still wonder about.
A Better Way to Find People
I suspect that's what makes people searching so hot. As many as half a million times a month, someone searches on
Google alone, looking for a way to find a lost person. Whether it's someone from the past with whom we've lost touch,
or someone we met last weekend and yearn to see again, were always searching for others.
Unfortunately, most general searches fail. Just like Googling failed for my sister-in-law. The information is out there,
somewhere. But being forced to sift through so many unrelated results makes it nearly impossible.
That's why I recommended she use a people search service - sometimes they're called Internet Detective services.
They pull all the information spread across thousands of servers and combine it into people-specific search databases.
Then when you drop in a name or an address or a phone number, whatever bit of information you have, you get instant
gratification. Up pops the latest scoop about your person.
worked out for him after all. She remarked that even though their relationship ended in the worst imaginable way, it
had started from a good point. She said she hadnt really wanted to contact him. She just wanted to know what had
happened to him.
Sometimes all we want is just to satisfy our curiosity about what happened to someone we've lost track of. Most of us
have an old friend or acquaintance we still wonder about.
A Better Way to Find People
I suspect that's what makes people searching so hot. As many as half a million times a month, someone searches on
Google alone, looking for a way to find a lost person. Whether it's someone from the past with whom we've lost touch,
or someone we met last weekend and yearn to see again, were always searching for others.
Unfortunately, most general searches fail. Just like Googling failed for my sister-in-law. The information is out there,
somewhere. But being forced to sift through so many unrelated results makes it nearly impossible.
That's why I recommended she use a people search service - sometimes they're called Internet Detective services.
They pull all the information spread across thousands of servers and combine it into people-specific search databases.
Then when you drop in a name or an address or a phone number, whatever bit of information you have, you get instant
gratification. Up pops the latest scoop about your person.
Thats
totally unlike the cold mechanical response a Google or Yahoo
gives:
Results 1 - 10 of about 55,100,000 for joe smith. (0.06 seconds)
You can almost hear the search engine yawn.
By the way - most searchers don't know this - search engine results don't actually extend beyond about a thousand
entries. Even when the search engine results page says they found millions and millions of hits, they don't actually bother
to dig it up and give you access to all of it. They're really just estimating from their own database tables. Even they
know it's a waste of time.
Yawn, yawn, yawn
On the other hand, it's exciting when you do a person search on a dedicated database. You find what you're looking
for in seconds. Plus, you not only get current information, often you get historical data too. You find not only where
the person is now but also where they lived or worked before that and before that and before that.
You can sort of see your old friend's life laid bare. (Now what in heaven's name was George doing in Poughkeepsie,
New York, in winter. He always hated the cold)
Sometime you find a person's life didn't turn out the way you'd have thought. That's when the Criminal Check part
of the service can help you find out what prison they ended up in!
When You Choose a Personal Search Service, Here's What to Look For
If you decide to try out a personal search database, here are the things I've found important to consider during a review
1. Free versus Paid
I've been disappointed by the free services. Their main concern seems to be to try and get you to click on some of the
pay-per-click ads they're displaying - so they can make a little money.
2. Speed
You want a service that responds quickly. Make sure you try it out. A fun test is to do a search on yourself. You get
to check speed and accuracy!
3. Proprietary Database
If a service compiles their own database, they must be fairly successful. It's costly to build and maintain. Such well-
funded providers are much more likely to stay around. From a usability standpoint, it's better too. You get a single
interface that you can quickly learn.
And I've never seen a free service that has its own database. Most of the free services I've checked out are really just
link farms - they just point you at some public or government database.
4. Training and Support
Be sure you can easily learn to use any service you choose. Actually, you'll find the better services are intuitive - how
to search will make sense as soon as you look at it. But better services will also provide extra, in-depth searching.
If you ever need the extra, it might require you dig into it a bit before you can fully use it. Just make sure your service
has easy, accessible ways to learn, like tutorials.
And don't ignore support. Sooner or later you'll have questions or there will be something you need help to get
resolved. It's best if they offer free, live support.
Final Word
Join the millions using the web to track down old friends and new friends. But make it easier on yourself by using
a People Search service rather than a general search engine. Have fun finding out exactly what did become of your
old friend or not-so-friendly ex.
Results 1 - 10 of about 55,100,000 for joe smith. (0.06 seconds)
You can almost hear the search engine yawn.
By the way - most searchers don't know this - search engine results don't actually extend beyond about a thousand
entries. Even when the search engine results page says they found millions and millions of hits, they don't actually bother
to dig it up and give you access to all of it. They're really just estimating from their own database tables. Even they
know it's a waste of time.
Yawn, yawn, yawn
On the other hand, it's exciting when you do a person search on a dedicated database. You find what you're looking
for in seconds. Plus, you not only get current information, often you get historical data too. You find not only where
the person is now but also where they lived or worked before that and before that and before that.
You can sort of see your old friend's life laid bare. (Now what in heaven's name was George doing in Poughkeepsie,
New York, in winter. He always hated the cold)
Sometime you find a person's life didn't turn out the way you'd have thought. That's when the Criminal Check part
of the service can help you find out what prison they ended up in!
When You Choose a Personal Search Service, Here's What to Look For
If you decide to try out a personal search database, here are the things I've found important to consider during a review
1. Free versus Paid
I've been disappointed by the free services. Their main concern seems to be to try and get you to click on some of the
pay-per-click ads they're displaying - so they can make a little money.
2. Speed
You want a service that responds quickly. Make sure you try it out. A fun test is to do a search on yourself. You get
to check speed and accuracy!
3. Proprietary Database
If a service compiles their own database, they must be fairly successful. It's costly to build and maintain. Such well-
funded providers are much more likely to stay around. From a usability standpoint, it's better too. You get a single
interface that you can quickly learn.
And I've never seen a free service that has its own database. Most of the free services I've checked out are really just
link farms - they just point you at some public or government database.
4. Training and Support
Be sure you can easily learn to use any service you choose. Actually, you'll find the better services are intuitive - how
to search will make sense as soon as you look at it. But better services will also provide extra, in-depth searching.
If you ever need the extra, it might require you dig into it a bit before you can fully use it. Just make sure your service
has easy, accessible ways to learn, like tutorials.
And don't ignore support. Sooner or later you'll have questions or there will be something you need help to get
resolved. It's best if they offer free, live support.
Final Word
Join the millions using the web to track down old friends and new friends. But make it easier on yourself by using
a People Search service rather than a general search engine. Have fun finding out exactly what did become of your
old friend or not-so-friendly ex.
