What is the best way to find/locate someone?

[kimmerspixelated]

If a person wants to locate a person from an address they had let's say, up to five years ago, how would they locate this person? This is not a cheating spouse search, nor is it a criminal investigation.

There are so many "Free" searches out there, that don't turn out to be free. If it is a paid and reputable search, how does one make sure it is legit? How do you not get scammed?

At one time, someone on this forum presented themselves as a detective of sorts. If that person is reading this, I would appreciate it if you got back to me!!!

Thanks!!

[cliffordu]

1. Get a lawyer to do it....

I found the guy who was supposed to be my father in under two days using a lawyer after 20 years of looking through phone books and then searching the web.

I was pretty thorough and actually had found him, but he was listed under a nickname rather than his true first name.....The lawyer had him pegged through property records in minutes.

[On the Road]

2. Some Private Investigators

do searches like this. They sometimes fall under the category of skip tracing, but it doesn't have to be restricted to those. Might be cheaper than a lawyer, and they might have access to the same data sources.

[LiberalFighter]

3. Try using property records online with the specific county goverment.

County Recorder keeps records of mortgage transactions.
County Treasurer keeps records of property taxes.
If they keep records back about 5 years you can determine when they possibly left the county if in those 5 years.

If you know their age and it is possibly retirement for them then you need to consider whether they went south.

[kestrel91316]

4. I could look on Ancestry.com if you have a name and DOB.

They have a public records address search function. PM me if you want me to look.

[Vincardog]

5. Key in the person into google. They will give you a page to search public records

as well as several sites to search for free. Then locate the address you have and bingo.

[Heidi]

6. With respect and courtesy. (nt)

[yurbud]

7. I found an old friend with intellius (sp?) it seemed to be legit.

[Altoid_Cyclist]

8. I used Intelius so that I could make an overdue apology.

It wasn't very expensive and was accurate as far as getting me the phone number and address of the person I was searching for even though she had gotten married and moved.

It was cathartic to get the guilt out of my system and she even wrote back to let me know how her children were doing since I hadn't seem them since we were together over 20 years ago.

The only problem was that I think that she thought that it had something to do with the 12 step AA program. It was actually just 24 years of guilt over things that I was tired of living with.

Once I got past the feeling that I was stalking her, it was a good investment to use Intelius.

Link to their service:

http://www.intelius.com/

[yurbud]

9. if she thinks it was for AA, that can be part of your penance.

[Altoid_Cyclist]

11. Of course, since I did tend to drink too much back then.........

That was one of the main problems between us so I guess that it was Karma that she thought that it was AA related.

[yurbud]

12. what did you think you needed forgiveness for?

[Duer 157099]

13. Heeey... Is Your Name Earl?

:hi:

Say hi to Randy for me!

[Juneboarder]

10. Skip-tracing...

I'm not the detective that you are referring to, but used to be a bill collector for many years. I know the ins and outs of how to find someone, and usually am successful. Send me a message if you're interested in speaking further. I will not charge you anything; just share my knowledge. :)

[3324SS]

14. If you want to hid in plain site is it very easy

to make yourself pretty much unfindable...right now the only way I can be found is by my SS number though my employer and the Gov.

I have only 5 known pictures of me in existence and I know who has them.
I don't have a phone, I use throw away cells.
I pay all bills in cash or by money order.
I don't have a bank account.
I don't have a car, I take public transport.
All Internet activity is via alias on public networks.


My friends would never tell anyone where I was, they would die or go to jail first before they dropped the dime on me.
Yeah, I have REAL friends who truly know what being a friend is.

[walnutpie]

15. This is the funniest thing I've read all week!