Archive for the ‘Personal’ Category
The articles below range from Reviews of different People Search Es services to Online Scam Alerts to handy helpful hints, all in the name of safe-keeping. I hope you enjoy them! (Got an idea for a great new article? Drop me a note.)
yoviateam on May 21st, 2010
“WARNING: Beware Of Online Scams!
I Can’t Believe The Money I’ve Lost On These So Called Background Check Sites……”
And if there is one thing I’ve learned it’s that you can’t always believe what companies claim on their sites. It’s ridiculous and I’m frustrated to be honest with you. That’s one of the reasons why I made this site. There are many reasons why people need background checks done. I’m a parent, and let me tell you I don’t want some sex offender or deadbeat anywhere near my child!
For The Job…
Background tools are incredibly beneficial for a company also. For instance, I work from home and have to hire people occasionally. When you work from home it’s harder to make sure people are doing their job reliably because you can’t see them. So, by searching people’s background records we can see patterns in their past that will give us a better chance of finding reliable people. If you are bringing people into your office then you definitely want to know what type of person he or she is before they become a part of your environment.
I tried to do the Cheap/Free approach at first. It’s kind of silly actually to think of how much time I wasted. (Em, not really!!) So picture this…here I am doing searches on
for a guy that I interviewed. Then, I think I found him. I click on the link and it’s another search box wanting me to search for him again. So, I do and they want me to purchase before I see anything. So, I keep looking and finally figured out that I’m not going to find zilch until I purchase one of these things. I went through about 10 of them before I finally found the data. Then, I start going through my list to get a refund. Do these companies even know what in the world customer service is????
And The Winner Is…(Drumroll please)
* Includes Free Sex Offender Map! (effective. Jan 1, 2010)
Anyway, that was a debacle and I learned the hard way. But, the site I found the data on is called “Net Detective.” I was actually surprised because it was a fair price according to the other sites out there. I got unlimited background check searches, which by the way helps a lot because some of those guys charge you up front then want to charge you every time you search. Sheesh! One of the other things I thought was really cool with Net Detective was that they gave me a phone number to call if I had trouble. So, I couldn’t find this one person I was looking for info on and wanted to see if there was a better way. Rather than telling me the better way they actually looked up the record for me. Is that cool or what?
So, thanks for listening to me ramble on… Anyways, I hope you’ll find this helpful to stay out of trouble when it comes time to do some effective background records searching online.
Tags: background check, background checks, best background check, criminal background search, ncic background check, background search, background records, background report.
The articles below range from Reviews of different People Search Es services to Online Scam Alerts to handy helpful hints, all in the name of safe-keeping. I hope you enjoy them! (Got an idea for a great new article? Drop me a note.)
yoviateam on May 21st, 2010
If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you can’t always believe what companies claim on their sites. It’s ridiculous and I’m frustrated to be honest. That’s one of the reasons why I created this site.
For Dating… and Craigslist, too
Reverse email searches are incredibly beneficial for everyone. Statistics show we are much more comfortable meeting a new person by email than we are in person or by phone. So why shouldn’t we be able to search for them using their email and learn someone’s real identity? If you’re going out on a first date with someone you’ve exchanged emails with, I would first recommend you get their full name and address, so you can look them up. But if you forget to do that, or you find it too awkward to ask, you can do a reverse email lookup (where you plug in their email and get name, address, and phone) on them. Hey, with all the recent news craigslist killings, sex offenders, and abductions happening in quiet neighborhoods, YOU BETTER screen your date beforehand!
* Includes Free Sex Offender Map! (effective. Jan 1, 2010)
You also should check out anyone you bring in your home. Shopping on craigslist can be easy and productive, but do yourself a favor and give that person who is coming over to your home a quick background check. Or at least get their address and phone number using the many online tools available. Today, more than ever, there is no excuse NOT to, and there are LOTS OF SCAM ARTISTS everywhere!
So, I’m A Cheapskate… 
I tried to do the Cheap/Free approach at first. It’s kind of funny actually to think of how much time I wasted. Well, not really!?! So picture this…here I am doing a reverse email search for this guy who just emailed me in response to a bookkeeping ad I posted. Then, I think I found him. I click on the link and it’s another search box wanting me to search for him again. So, I do and they want me to purchase before I see anything. So, I keep looking and finally figured out that I’m not going to find zilch until I purchase one of these things. I went through about 10 of them before I finally found the data. Then, I start going through my list to get a refund. Do these companies even know what in the world customer service is????
And The Winner Is…(Drumroll please)
Anyway, that was a debacle and I learned the hard way. But, the site I found the data on was Net Detective. I was actually surprised because it was a fair price according to the other sites out there. I got unlimited searches: search by name, search by email, search by address, search by phone, all UNLIMITED! Which by the way helps alot because some of those guys charge you up front then want to charge you everytime you search. One of the other things I thought was really cool with Net Detective was that they gave me a phone number to call if I had trouble. So, I couldn’t find this one person I was looking for info on and wanted to see if there was a better way. Rather than telling me the better way they actually looked up the record for me. Is that cool or what?
* Includes Free Sex Offender Map! (effective. Jan 1, 2010)
Second Place Goes To:
In the runner-up spot, with very good customer care, great U.S. converage, and a pretty good size database is Complete Detective. Between these two services, you really cannot go wrong.
There are lots of third place winners, but too many to name. You are free to search google and go through the top 10 links you see. But don’t waste your time… I’ve already done that and I’m here to help you out.
So, thanks for listening to me ramble on… Anyways, I hope you’ll find this helpful when it comes time to do some effective people searches online.
The articles below range from Reviews of different People Search Es services to Online Scam Alerts to handy helpful hints, all in the name of safe-keeping. I hope you enjoy them! (Got an idea for a great new article? Drop me a note.)
yoviateam on May 21st, 2010
Everywhere you turn people are requesting your Social Security Number, and this mainstream way of doing things may have most people convinced that this is a mandatory part of the process for you to sign up for some internet service or other organization. This is not the case, you are not even required to give it to your doctor, unless you have Medicare or Medicaid. People will badger you about getting it, and it may be a fight not to give it to them, you may even have to talk to 8 or 10 different people to resolve the issue in your favor. This is nothing compared to the time and money you will spend trying to undo the damage identity theft will cause for you. It is becoming an epidemic. In 2005 8.3 million Americans were victims of this crime, and with more online shopping and signups this is booming more than ever.
Credible companies do not have the intention of stealing your social security number, but they cannot possible know what each and every employee’s true intentions are. This is just life that applies in a lot of different aspects, but it just means they we as individuals need to take extra care to protect ourselves.
Other ways of identity theft is through a stolen computer. Where do they store everything? In a computer or laptop. Within the last few years all of the following companies have had sensitive information stolen from their systems:
- Home Depot
- Citigroup
- Gap
- Hartford Financial Services
- AT&T
- Pfizer
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,
- the government of Great Britain
-
Time Warner
and many other organizations. Also in March of 2006 two of Verizon’s company laptops were stolen, putting many employees at risk for identity theft. Unfortunately, that is where you need to give your Social Security Number is to your employer. You can always refuse, but because employers usually like to conduct background checks and other in depth checks, they will probably refuse to hire you as well. Your bank is also another mandatory place to give your Social to so they are able to comply with federal law, and very VERY few others. These are already two different places that have the most important information that you have, so anywhere else use discretion.
Let’s say your stolen identity is resolved right away and your bank refunds everything returns to normal. Your information can still be out there and other accounts may be opened in your name, which you may not find about for years. So lets say 5 years later you try and apply for a loan to buy a house, but you have $1 million dollars in debt? The best thing to do is to keep your personal information as personal as possible. Nobody ever needs your SS# when ordering something online or for signing up. There is no reason.
Gaurd yourself, because you are the only person you can 100% trust.
Be smart. Be safe. Be in control.
~ Belle
The articles below range from Reviews of different People Search Es services to Online Scam Alerts to handy helpful hints, all in the name of safe-keeping. I hope you enjoy them! (Got an idea for a great new article? Drop me a note.)
yoviateam on May 21st, 2010
My husband and I met online through one of the popular social networking sites, Myspace. Having been single for a while and tired of the bar scene, I decided to give online dating a try per my friend’s suggestion.
The idea of meeting people online seemed so appealing because you can check out a candidate’s likes and dislikes, religion, lifestyle, and LOOKS prior to actually meeting them. The problem however, lies in the fact that online people can be whoever they want to be. THAT is scary!
Give Just a Little
My best advice to all prospective online daters is to take your time and not to give too much info about yourself too quick. Predators are looking online more than any other place, so be smart about how you go about entering personal information, photos and so on.
Once my husband and I exchanged a few messages via the dating service, I decided to give him my email address. He emailed me from his home account, which contained his full name in it. This was a good sign.
I Googled Him (duh!)
Since I really liked him, I decided to “google him.” But this turned out to be a dead end as he is an accountant not a rock star! I found nothing that matched what he was telling me about his life.
I had heard horrible stories of people online lying about their job, married guys looking for easy dates, and those are surely not the worst things I can imagine!
Finally, I went into a couple of background records sites to see if I could at least check that the guy was real. I found a few sites and finally picked the one that had the most value for me (largest, most up to date database). But be careful of scams!!!
So if you are out and about and looking for your man or woman, you can check out all your candidates for a minimum fee.
Summing It All Up
As it turns out, the man of my dreams was indeed who he claimed he was and over two years later we are happily married with the cutest baby boy!
I support online dating 100%. But be safe. Be smart! And KNOW your candidate!
The articles below range from Reviews of different People Search Es services to Online Scam Alerts to handy helpful hints, all in the name of safe-keeping. I hope you enjoy them! (Got an idea for a great new article? Drop me a note.)
yoviateam on May 21st, 2010
OK. I’m addicted. I spend more time looking up people than I probably should. But, hey… it’s in my best interest, right? I want to share with you some secrets that hopefully will prepare you next time you go on a blind date, hire a plumber, or hear your neighbor muttering weird (and creepy) things! Here are some things I have learned along the way:
Just Google Him
I think I was the first person ever to turn Google into a verb. Well, not really. But I did get hooked on it. I’ve googled my bosses, their wives and/or husbands, my old flames, and anyone newsworthy.
Google is great, but it’s not the end-all tool. You can spend a lot of time just trying to connect all those dots. Plus the accuracy of all that free (wiki) stuff isn’t always accurate–believe me, I learned that the hard way. If you’re REALLY looking to dig up some dirt on someone, read on.
Public Domain ≠ Easy
After many years with Google, I realized I was spending too much time connecting all the dots. Let’s see, his number isn’t listed here, but I can get it over there… that address is outdated… but I really need some dirt on this guy. You’d have to go through about 30 Google results to pull all that info together.
Did you know criminal records are considered public domain? Just pick up the phone, dial your county sheriff’s office, schedule an appointment, and have at it! (Yeah, right! I’d rather use my computer, which leads me to…)
Two Words
Background Check!! You can do it on the web, online, instant searches. I love it. And let me tell you it works! I searched for myself and found multiple addresses, my date of birth, phone number… Hey it knew my neighbors! Links lead to more levels of “dirt,” such as criminal records, sex offenders, home owner records, salary information, on and on and on.
There are many sites to choose from (Net Detective, Reverse Phone Detective, Complete Detective, People Search Complete). But I recommend you try them out for yourself. Look for 90 Day Satisfaction Guarantees. That way, you have nothing to lose really!
So before you accept a date be safe… be smart… and go dig up some dirt!
