These days, you can never be too cautious when it comes to getting to know someone new. Especially if you need to hire someone to look after children, date someone you met online, or entrust someone with a sensitive task. While you can still contact a private investigator to find out any secrets, various online tools can provide you with a good deal of information and insights. Just make sure you don't put too much weight on what you read.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Finding the public records
Step 1. Know what to expect
When you search public records, you only see a small part of the big picture. You may find an arrest cited, but the details are almost never included. Often times the reports will contradict each other, as they come from different sources with information gathered at different times. Always take everything you read with a grain of salt, and do your best to verify any information by other means.
Even information about a person's favorite movies or singers can be largely wrong. They may have made that list 5 years ago their tastes may be completely different now
Step 2. Find out what has been made public
Common information obtained from public records can include small things like first name, last name, telephone numbers. In addition, birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates and criminal, legal, dangerous individuals' records can be searched elsewhere. Information on licenses, ownership and many other records is in the hands of the government and certain organizations.
Step 3. Use a free public registry search
There are various sites online that will allow you to search public records for free, and even more that will ask you for a fee. Keep in mind that not all public records are necessarily free, and obtaining proper permissions and permissions can take a long time. Similarly, any online registry may be out of date or incomplete. Here are some possible starting points:
- Online Services Judicial Offices - (https://pst.giustizia.it/PST/it/pst_2_6.wp) This site allows you to access information on Italian legal proceedings (anonymously) divided by region and offices.
- Family Watchdog - This site contains the National Register of Sex Offenders, and allows you to search by name or location. Keep in mind that details are often not provided, which can contribute to an unsecured negative judgment.
Step 4. Use a paid search
A paid search of public records can bring more results than a free one, but keep in mind that any records found are available if you take the time to contact the relevant agencies. If you don't have time, then paying for research could be the best use of your time and money.
Part 2 of 3: Online searches
Step 1. Use a people search engine
Numerous search engines are reserved for retrieving information about a person from their public profiles on social networks and other online activities. These searches are usually free, although additional paid options are offered in many cases. Using more than one service could help you get a more complete idea. Popular choices include:
- Pipl - This site finds information from social networks, age and location for free. You must only enter a name, although you can get it by adding a location. Keep in mind that a common name will bring a lot of results.
- 123People - This site will also report information from social networks, but also links to paid searches of public records and criminal records.
- ZabaSearch - This is another search site with similar information, and provides quick links to paid searches for phone numbers and addresses.
Step 2. Search with different search engines
As obvious as it sounds, you can really find a ton of information about a person from a quick online search. The more you already know about that person, the more results you will get from the search. Use multiple search engines to find results that some may not have.
- Start with the name - This is the basic search, and will usually give social media profiles and any mention in the local press.
- Start from the email - Searching from the email address can lead to results from sites that contain their email but not the name. You may not find much with this search, but it can be helpful in connecting the dots.
- Start with the username - Try searching for the email address without the domain. For example, if the person's email is "[email protected]", try searching only for "coolcat74". Often you log into forums and sites only using the standard username. This can help you track down articles on the forums and give you insights into what that person might think.
Step 3. Do cross-checks
You will find a wide range of results with your various searches. Remember, it is always best to take the information you find as false or incomplete. Compare the results with each other and see which links or constants emerge. It can help you at least ascertain the accuracy of what you are finding.
Part 3 of 3: The extra effort
Step 1. Create a fake Facebook profile
It is a fairly petty method, but you may be able to create a fake profile (possibly with an attractive photo) and ask that person to be friends. It will help to have some friendships in common first. Becoming friends will usually give you access to all private information that is only shown to friends.
Many might see it as a massive invasion of privacy, so do it only if you really have to. Be prepared to face serious consequences and be branded as a maniac and stalker in case you get caught
Step 2. Talk to the person
The only way to verify any information with certainty is to speak directly with the person. If you are interviewing for a job, you should be able to talk about any topic without prejudice or fear. If you are investigating someone on a personal level, it is advisable to use a little tact in addressing the arguments.
Advice
- Searching public records can be very expensive. You can also hire an investigator, which is probably better suited to the task, but it will likely cost you even more.
- Many local police departments have records available for consultation. However, most of them are not available online. State and federal governments usually have records that are searchable online.
- Many records are kept at the state or provincial level. Each state has different levels of access depending on the register. Try typing in a search engine "* Area * * Type of register * Search" (for example "Liguria Birth Certificates Search").
- Make a list of all the important things you know about the person and then what you don't know. Try to compile a dossier about the person so that you have as much information as possible.
- Try to search each archive using only the surname (if it is not as common as Rossi or Sala)
- Ancestry.com has many family trees that you can search for.
Warnings
- In case of legal issues, let the authorities and law enforcement agencies take care of them.
- Be careful when you sign up for so-called "investigative sites", they could cost a lot immediately and even more later, as each search can have a higher cost.
