People locates, or people searches are as complex of a topic as any other investigation service. For one to be looking for someone, after they have Googled their eyes crosswise means that the person is likely difficult to find. This article talks about some of the tactics a San Francisco private investigator may use to find someone. So when you call our PIs, you will have a greater sense of the scope of how a PI finds someone.
Introduction
Most people reading this article are looking for a person, perhaps in the San Francisco Bay Area. We help people find a person they are looking for. Perhaps you are looking for a private investigator to find family members? Or, you want to hire an investigator to find someone you lost track of, perhaps an old pal or school friend?
No matter why you want to hire a private detective to find someone, you should understand all the ways a PI might use in conducting a people locate search.
Understanding Public Records In People Locates
Public records are documents or pieces of information that are not considered confidential. They are typically maintained by government agencies and are accessible to the general public, though some may require specific permissions or small fees to access. These records exist at the federal, state, and local levels. Many addresses are a matter of public record. This includes property tax records, marriage licenses, voter registration, and court records.
Types of Public Records A Private Investigator Uses To Find Addresses
Property Records: These are commonly used to find addresses as they include details about property ownership, property tax payments, and historical sales data. In the San Francisco Bay Area, these can be accessed through county assessors' offices or online portals.
Court Records: These can include information from criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family court proceedings, bankruptcies, and small claims cases. If someone has been involved in legal proceedings, their address may be part of the record.
Voter Registration: This is often a good source for current addresses, as most voters register with their home address.
Marriage Licenses and Divorces: These records can provide past and current addresses of the parties involved.
Professional Licenses: Individuals holding professional licenses (e.g., doctors, lawyers, plumbers) have their addresses recorded as part of the licensing process.
Business Records: If the subject owns or is associated with a business, records like business licenses, articles of incorporation, or annual reports can provide address information.
Accessing Public Records:
Most public records can be accessed through government offices such as city hall, the county clerk's office, the county recorder, or the local courthouse. Increasingly, these records are also available online through various government portals.
Some information might be available directly through standard internet searches or specialized public record search engines, but for more detailed or sensitive records, investigators may need to make formal requests or visit government offices in person.
Challenges and Considerations:
While many public records are freely available, others may require payment of a fee, especially for certified copies or for searches that consume substantial government employee time.
There are privacy laws in place that restrict access to certain information. For instance, under the California Public Records Act, certain data is exempt from public view for privacy or safety reasons.
Accuracy can be a concern, as public records can sometimes contain outdated or incorrect information. Investigators need to verify the information from multiple sources whenever possible.
Ethical and Legal Adherence:
Private investigators, like all citizens, must adhere to the law. While public records are generally accessible to everyone, obtaining records under false pretenses or misusing the information can lead to legal repercussions.
Ethical private investigators ensure they have a legitimate purpose for requesting these records and use the information in a manner that respects privacy and complies with data protection laws.
In summary, public records are an invaluable resource for private investigators seeking to locate someone's address. They offer a wealth of information, often require minimal costs to access, and can provide data that is difficult to obtain through other means. However, successful navigation of public records requires a deep understanding of where to look, how to interpret the data, and the legalities surrounding the access and use of this information.
Locate a Person Using Online Searches
Various online directories and databases may have address information. Websites like Whitepages or Spokeo can be starting points, although PIs often have access to more specialized databases.
Certainly, online searches are a fundamental aspect of modern private investigations, offering a plethora of data that can be crucial in locating addresses or obtaining relevant information about individuals, businesses, or properties.
I want to be clear, just because we list something in this article, does not mean we use it on every case or any people locates that we do. These are some ideas on where a private investigator may look when you hire a detective to find someone.
Here's an expanded look at how private investigators might utilize online searches:
Basic Search Engines:
General Searches: Investigators start with search engines like Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo, entering the person’s name along with other identifying information they might have, such as a previous address, employer, or known associates.
Advanced Search Queries: Utilizing advanced search techniques or operators can filter and narrow down the search results, making the data more manageable and relevant.
People Search Websites:
Websites like Whitepages, Spokeo, Intelius, or BeenVerified allow users to search for individuals using a name, phone number, email, or previous address. These sites aggregate information from various sources, providing details such as current and past addresses, phone numbers, and even information about family members.
Most of these services provide basic information for free but require a fee for detailed reports.
Social Media Platforms:
Investigators examine profiles, posts, friends’ lists, and photos on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. They look for any clues regarding location, such as tagged check-ins or photos with recognizable landmarks.
Comments or posts by friends or relatives might inadvertently reveal information about a person’s location or new address.
Public and Government Databases:
Many government entities have online portals that provide access to various public records, including criminal records, court records, marriage licenses, and more. These can sometimes reveal a person’s address directly or provide clues leading to their current location.
Professional licensing boards often have online databases showing the address of record for licensed professionals.
Real Estate Websites and County Assessor Portals:
Sites like Zillow, Trulia, or Realtor.com can provide information on property ownership, and sometimes the history of property sales, which might include the names of individuals.
County assessor portals provide detailed property records, often including the owner’s name and mailing address.
Online Classifieds:
Platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace might be used by individuals to sell items or properties. Investigators can search for the person’s name or even use geographic clues to narrow down listings in a specific area, potentially revealing a location.
Professional and Academic Networks and Publications:
Sites like LinkedIn or academic portals could reveal a person’s workplace or school, which might indirectly indicate their location.
Published articles, press releases, or company announcements might include a person's location or contact information.
Background Check Services:
For a fee, these online services provide comprehensive background reports on individuals, which can include current and past addresses, criminal records, employment history, and more.
Forum Posts and Online Communities:
Participation in online forums, communities, or blogs related to a person’s hobbies, profession, or interests might reveal clues about their location or activities.
Email Reverse Lookup:
There are tools available that allow you to search for the owner of an email address, which can sometimes lead to location information.
Obituaries and Online Memorials:
Sadly, sometimes the search might lead to the discovery that the individual has passed away. Obituaries and online memorials can provide closure and might also list surviving family members and their locations.
While online searches can yield a wealth of information, private investigators must approach the data with skepticism and cross-reference it for accuracy. Additionally, they must adhere to all applicable laws, including those related to privacy, data protection, and anti-stalking. Ethical considerations are paramount, as PIs must respect individuals' privacy and not use obtained information for illicit purposes.
Subscription-Based Databases Private Investigator Uses To Locate People
PIs may have subscriptions to professional databases that aren't available to the general public. These databases often pull from a wide range of sources, including credit reports, utility connections, and more.
Sometimes these data sources are used in connection with other forms of data collection, such as an Online search where a clue may help corroborate information we find in these databases.
Although many private investigators may do what is called a data dump, where they plug in some information and whatever the computer spits out, they send to clients. This is not a proper procedure. A best practice is to use several of these premium sources that we have to be licensed to access. Also, another best practice is to correlate the information with other information we find or know.
Nature of Subscription-Based Databases:
These are professional-grade databases that aggregate information from thousands of sources, both public and private. They're often far more extensive and up-to-date compared to free online search resources.
Access is typically restricted to licensed professionals, including private investigators, lawyers, and law enforcement officials. There's usually a rigorous verification process for users to gain access.
Types of Information Available:
Current and Historical Addresses: Most databases provide extensive address histories, making it easier to track someone's movements over time.
Phone Numbers: This includes current and past landlines, cell phone numbers, and sometimes even unlisted numbers.
Email Addresses: Current and historical email addresses associated with an individual.
Property Records: Details about properties someone owns or has owned, including location, value, and transaction dates.
Business Affiliations: Information on businesses an individual owns or is associated with, possibly including business addresses.
Criminal Records: Local, state, and sometimes federal criminal records, including convictions, arrests, and warrants.
Court Records: Civil court records, such as lawsuits, judgments, and liens.
Vehicle Records: Information on vehicle ownership, which can sometimes lead to a current address.
Bankruptcies, Foreclosures, and Evictions: Financial issues can provide insight into an individual's movements and possible locations.
Professional Licenses: Including the associated address with the license.
Popular Databases Used by Private Investigators:
LexisNexis: Offers a range of searchable legal, public records, and news sources.
TLOxp: Provides information on individuals and businesses, including comprehensive address histories and vehicle records.
IRBsearch: Offers records search features for professionals in the legal, risk management, corporate, government, law enforcement, accounting, and academic markets.
Clear (by Thomson Reuters): A platform used for investigations and due diligence, risk management, and for locating people and their connections.
Legal and Ethical Considerations:
Users must typically have a permissible purpose under the law to access and use the information, especially sensitive data.
Misuse of the information, such as for illegal purposes or harassment, can lead to legal consequences, including loss of access, fines, or further legal action.
Private investigators must adhere to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) when using information from these databases, especially if the information is used for background checks.
Accuracy and Verification:
While these databases are often very accurate, the information can sometimes be outdated or incorrect. Investigators typically verify information through multiple sources.
Cross-referencing is essential. Investigators might use multiple databases and cross-reference the information with social media, surveillance, and other investigation methods.
Costs and Subscriptions:
Access to these databases is usually via a paid subscription. The cost can vary widely depending on the depth of information needed, the frequency of use, and specific user requirements.
Some databases charge per search, while others have a flat monthly fee for unlimited access.
In summary, subscription-based databases are powerful tools for private investigators due to the breadth and depth of information they offer. However, they come with significant responsibilities regarding legal compliance and ethical usage, and investigators must handle the information with discretion and professionalism.
Surveillance Can Help Find A Person You Need To Find An Address For
If a PI knows a general location or routine of an individual, they might conduct physical surveillance to follow the person to their address.
Surveillance is a fundamental aspect of private investigative work, particularly when it comes to locating an individual's address or gathering information pertinent to a case. Here's a detailed look at the role of surveillance in private investigations:
Understanding Surveillance:
Surveillance involves monitoring a person, location, or object to observe behavior, activities, or other changing information, usually in a covert manner. It's often used when substantiating suspicions or gathering evidence.
It can be static (in one location) or mobile (following a target from place to place).
Types of Surveillance:
Physical Surveillance: This is the most common type, where an investigator observes a subject in person. This might involve following someone from their known location to their home, thereby determining their address.
Electronic Surveillance: Involves the use of electronic tracking devices, like GPS trackers, which can be used to determine a person’s movements. This method often complements physical surveillance.
Online Surveillance: Monitoring an individual’s activities on the internet, including social media monitoring, network traffic, and more. While this might not directly reveal an address, it can provide clues or schedules that aid in physical surveillance.
Aerial Surveillance: Though less common and more resource-intensive, this involves monitoring from an aircraft or drone. It can be useful for tracking movements across large areas.
Techniques and Equipment:
Following a Subject: This requires skill to avoid detection; changing appearance, using different vehicles, and working with a team can help.
Photography and Video Recording: Using cameras with long-range lenses for capturing evidence from a distance.
Note-Taking: Vital for keeping track of timelines, descriptions, and events.
Communication Equipment: Essential when working in teams to coordinate movements and share information.
Disguises and Props: To blend into different environments and avoid detection.