Finding colleagues or an old high school friend is easier than ever. Social networks, search engines, email platforms, and online directories make the task of finding people online very simple. The first and most common choice is a Google search. Because Google indexes sites such as social media platforms, it is the easiest way to find publicly available information. As a result of privacy settings, some information displayed on social media may not appear on a search engine query. If you have no luck with your initial Google search, try searching directly on social media networks. If you are trying to find someone and had no luck with a common search using the options mentioned above, there are other sites that offer to go deeper into finding someone. You just have to be careful in choosing a site that remains legal and protects your privacy. Some of the best choices are:
CheckPeople
It is a comprehensive and straightforward people finder that offers information on the most important categories, such as full name, current, and prior addresses, criminal records, marriage records, sex offender’s status, and others. CheckPeople is one of the cheapest alternatives and it is perfect for those who need to perform more than one search (for example, if you are a business owner and need information on prospective employees), as they charge a low monthly fee for unlimited searches. If you are looking for information such as credit reports, you may need to use a different service. The Fair Credit Reporting Act clearly states that the only entities allowed to perform such checks are vetted Credit Reporting Agencies, or CRA’s.
True People Search
Similar to CheckPeople, it offers a list of the most common last names in the United States in order to simplify searches.
Pipl
It offers a similar service and states that it can track changes in offline and online identity information.
Ancestry
It is a bit different from the above-listed. Ancestry helps you build your family tree and offers insights about your DNA that may help you locate relatives. It is especially helpful for adoptive children who want to find their biological relatives.
Classmates
This people search site focuses on finding people through alumni associations. It orders information by state, county, and city, and year of graduation.
Public Records
You can access a lot of useful information by consulting public records. These stem from court records to real estate records and while some information may be classified, it can give you important clues in how to continue your search.
Develop Your Research Skills
While privacy feels like something of the past, some people are extremely careful with what they share online. Some opt to stay out of social media networks or ask for their information to be removed from the internet. Finding someone online may mean that you have to better understand how each search engine works, and try alternative searches. For example, if the only thing you have is a photograph, you may find information by performing an image search. Most search engines have advanced options and settings, so understanding what each of them offers is also a good starting point.
Respect Boundaries and Privacy
There are many reasons why you may want to find someone or verify their information. It can be a long lost love or a potential candidate for your startup. But if after trying with many services and sites, you still don’t find much information, it may be because someone has chosen to remain private, or does not want to be contacted. If this is the case, it’s better to stop looking and respect their wishes, as there are very strict privacy laws that you could be breaking.
If You Found Unsettling Information About Yourself
If you found information that is wrong or misleading about yourself, you have the right to ask for it to be taken down. Usually, a simple email to the website’s webmaster is enough, but in some cases, you may need to have it court-ordered. Google offers very valuable information on the issue.
