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User Error: Are You Using Web-Based People Search Technology Correctly?

Recently, the askus mailbox at here at People Search News has been inundated with questions regarding the accuracy of Web-based people search sites. Rather than answer them all individually, we have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions and answered them. Hopefully, the answers provided will assist everyone in getting the best results from their Web-based people searches.

I am getting old information on my report. Does this mean that the information is not accurate or up-to-date?

No. Actually, one of the best indicators of a complete data set is the depth of the records. Many people search queries will only return about a 5 to 10 year address history for most records. However, there are some search providers out there that have records going back more than 30 years. Additionally, record providers often provide historical and current data for each search subject.

Think about it: The best way to find someone is by entering an address or phone number they used to have.

I typed in my girlfriends name from High School and it only shows her address from college. Is this wrong information?

No. This is a common problem experienced by many users. Often times, public records get associated with many different names because of marriages or other life events. Therefore, it is important to use a site that provides known aliases (a.k.a’s) in the search results. More often than not , searching by one or more of the akas listed for your search subject will lead you to the desired result.

Think about it: If you think that you search has hit a dead-end, look up one of their relatives. Chances are, those relatives can lead you to the whereabouts of your search subject.

Are all of these people search review sites for real? They make some pretty serious accusations.

In a word, HA! These sites use scare tactics in order to get you to by. These so called “review sites” are nothing more than door pages trying get your business. Theses pages often look nice and have harrowing stories of people search woes, but look out, they are the ones trying to mislead you.

Are these sites doing what you would call pre-texting?

No. "Pretexting is the practice of getting your personal information under false pretenses. Pretexters sell your information to people who may use it to get credit in your name, steal your assets, or to investigate or sue you. Pretexting is against the law. Keep in mind that some information about you may be a matter of public record, such as whether you own a home, pay your real estate taxes, or have ever filed for bankruptcy. It is not pretexting for another person to collect this kind of information."

Aren’t all people search sites the same?

Technically, they are the same in that they sell public records reports. However, the accuracy and source of the information being provided by theses sources must be taken into account. A good rule of thumb is to choose a provider that provides free summary results like PeopleFinders.com

Dec 19, 2006

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