More frequently, BNI is being requested to conduct public image profiling – searches to uncover a subject’s (or one’s) personal information, that which is readily available online. Beyond verifying the usual identifiers (address, DOB, phone number…), given the proliferation of user-generated content and social and business networking sites, a potential employer, partner or landlord can often obtain an alarmingly unfiltered profile of their candidate. For obvious reasons, this information is invaluable to just about every public, private or governmental sector industry that relies on its public image to operate effectively.
We’ve developed several public image profiling site checklists (each containing from 45 – 102, and counting, sites) , dependent on the requestor’s needs, all of which include the below basic searches:
Site Ranking: Aside from your Google PageRank, Alexa.com, is an excellent source of business information.
Again, these are the basic sites that are searched to form a public image profile. Routinely check your own public face; it’s what’s generally available for anyone with online access to view.
This week we cover ground and electronic tracking.
Ground tracking may involve placing a tracking device – either tonal or GPS system – on a vehicle or object and monitoring its movement in real time. Our guest video this week explains the differences between tonal and GPS tracking. Good information to store on a back burner should you encounter a client matter requiring such services. The info contained in the video helps one determine which type of tracking is the most viable and cost-effective for a specific situation.
How To Tell If You Are Being Ground Tracked:
1. Check your tires for chalk marks. (Easy, inexpensive and foolproof method for someone to check if you are moving your vehicle.)
2. Check under the middle areas of both sides of the vehicle. Tracking devices are generally placed under the middle pillar of a car – not on the rear of the Ferrari as seen in every Magnum P.I. episode.
3. If you think you are being followed, first consider your safety. If you believe you are in danger, call 911, hit your onboard satnav’s emergency button or stop at a very well lit huge store or restaurant. Do NOT look for parking – stop directly in front, don’t look for things to grab (wallet, keys…) and just run inside. IMPORTANT: If you have children with you, if they are old enough to undertand but still have to wear a belt or be in a booster seat, stay calm (I realize how difficult that woudl be), tell them to remove their harness or unlock the seat and tell them that when you stop the car, they are to open the door and run directly inside to the store or restaurant. If the child is an infant or toddler, teach yourself before a situation like this occurs, to manipulate around, while driving to unlock the child’s seat. Your focus is to grab the infant and run – do not wait to go around to open the door and then remove the infant. As you begin to approach the well lit store/restaurant… start beeping the horn immediately and lean on it. That will definitely get attention from those inside.
For electronic tracking - For serious background checks, locating the unlocateable, estate matters, hire a real invstigator (you can send us an email . Seriously, the $29.95 online databases are generally at least 12 – 18 months behind in real time updates and, often the information is associated with similarly named people.
How To Tell If You Are Being Electronically Tracked:
1. Check your credit report. (Everyone is entitled to a free annual credit report. There are three main consumer credit reporting agencies. You can get a free report then every four months.) Check the very bottom of the report. All inquirants must be posted by name and phone number.
2. Note unusual junk mail. Especially free offers that require simply returning a mailer, postage paid.
3. Be wary of “utility” or “directory company” calls requesting contact info updates. The real companies will send ground mail requests.
4. Online. Information requests from your friends at PayPal addressed from (e.g.) paypal@neopost.com is neither from a friend or Paypal. PayPal, Ebay, Lexis… require on-site updates and will send mail to you from their sites.
5. Banking. Check for small deposits to your account. The teller may have been asked for an account balance on the deposit receipt. Most tellers will provide that info to anyone making a deposit into an account. Have your accounts specifically tagged for information release authorization. The bank can also require the depositor’s I.D. Be interesting to check bank video if someone tries to deposit into your account and refuses to do so after an I.D. has been requested. (In general, banks allow deposits to be made by anyone. They can, however, be held accountable for releasing information other than to authorized account signatories.)
For the trial law and legal community from a NY private investigator's perspective.
The Beacon Bulletin is the weekly newsletter authored and published by our parent company, Beacon Network Investigations, Inc. (BNI) and will shortly be combined with The MainPower Post, of our new company, MainPower Investigations, Inc., (MPI). (BNI will be involved in the development end of investigative and informational services and products. MPI will carry on with traditional private detective services.)
We're a private investigation company. We DON'T dispense legal advice, respond to anonymous queries or black hat your enemies for you. (Internally, however, points are alloted to our favorite subtly phrased compliments.)
We DO hope to inform. That's our business.
. Seriously, the $29.95 online databases are generally at least 12 – 18 months behind in real time updates and, often the information is associated with similarly named people.
