August 14, 2006

Curious Detective George: I'm looking for info on investigating shady characters...

Specifically, one of our family members has an unfortunate prediliction for become involved in abusive relationships. She has been financially exploited by smooth talking charlatans on more than occassion. Sadly, she seems to be in the same boat again. The family has asked me to see if I can find something about this guy since I'm the internet/technology "expert" (relatively speaking, this is true). I know the name, SS# and a few basic facts about this joker but since I'm wary of being financially exploited myself, I hesitate to use any of the plethora of services available. So: Are any of these services worthwhile? Is there something I can do myself armed with the few things I know about him? Do any of you have any cautionary tales along these lines? As always my gratitude knows no bounds towards my fellow monkeys.

posted by kamus 18 years ago
  • You can find out all sorts of stuff if you have a SSN. I don't know what you'd be looking for or what you plan to do with it but I'd imagine that you'd be able to see if he has a criminal record or something like that. If you're worried about entering your own information when paying for the info on one of those sites, then you could maybe use one of those pre-paid amex cards from the supermarket. I don't know how those work online though, since there's really no name and address associated with them.
  • has an unfortunate prediliction for become involved in abusive relationships. Sigh... should be "has an unfortunate predilection for becoming involved" Why doesn't my brain work until after I press the "Post" button?
  • It might be easier for you to hire just a private investigator. A good PI will know the resources online and in the real world to perform a background check. It will cost money, of course, but you might find the price better than trying to do all the work yourself.
  • (Oldie but a goodie?) Start with "the stalker's friend", and move on from there.
  • You can try Black Book On-Line, a collection of links to people-findng searches(Scroll to the bottom of the page, tiny type). Despite the cheesey page design, it's used by quite a few debt collection agencies, so it must be batting .500 at least, and it's free.
  • I'd second Bruise's advice. I know it costs money, but give a PI a name and social, and you'll get back the exact latitude and longitude of any and all moles on the guy's johnson. Seriously, call the Pinkertons. You want a professional looking into this if you are really that worried.
  • I was going to suggest a PI too, but then I was afraid they only existed in movies and TV. Seriously, has anyone ever met a real PI? Sorry to hear about your relative's problems, kamus.
  • Our local college gives courses on becoming a PI believe it or not. Maybe a college in your area does the same, Kamus? I was thinking of taking some of their courses just because they sound wacky/interesting. Titles: "Fraud Investigations", "Interviewing Techniques", "Investigative Techniques and Surveillance"...
  • *takes out magnifying glass* You look guilty to me, Koko.
  • Post his name, address, and SS# to Little Green Footballs. You get the same professional service, but it costs you nothing, and the bloke gets the willies scared out of him, too. (Just ask Monkeybashi if they scared her.)
  • I used PI's all the time in my old line of work (workers' compensation) so they do exist! They are really good at tracking down a lot of info very quickly, too, probably more than you could do on your own. That's the way I'd go, kamus. Have your family pool together to cough up the money for the fee if they are that concerned.
  • I'd also look into getting a PI. I would bet that you could call your local Better Business Bureau to weed out the shady ones... and I think they're supposed to be licensed in some way, so I'd check up on that, too (maybe you could call the licensing organization to make sure they're ok?). I hope everything is ok with your relative. I have also wanted to take those PI classes, with an eye towards writing a trashy/fun mystery novel.
  • A cautionary tale: be prepared for this girl to be livid about your family going behind her back, despite the fact that you have her best interests at heart. I imagine the following conversation: Your family: So we hired this guy to check out your boyfriend, and it turns out he spent a year in jail for writing bad checks! And last week, while you were at the beach, he took another girl to the mall and bought her jewelry, and she spent the night at his house! And didn't you say he worked nights? Turns out he's unemployed! Aren't you glad we checked him out? Now you can stop dating him! Her: You did WHAT? Seriously, her reaction could really surprise all of you. Be prepared for her to never speak to any of you again. Instead, you might want to consider taking her out for coffee and asking her some thoughtful questions about how things are going with this guy. Slowly (very slowly!) lead up to questions about her concerns, if she mentions any. She may be waking up to her own dating patterns, and could use some guidance from people who care about her. /2cents
  • And of course if he's with the mob, you're toast.
  • And as soon as you help her get rid of that deadbeat, could you get her my email? : )
  • Mickey, Thanks for your concern, but she's actually been burned enough before that she's on board with this "investigation". She started to become suspicious when he attempted to "return" broken merchandise to Wal-Mart that the store doesn't even carry.
  • Couldn't you just get the words "DUMP HIM NOW" tattooed on the inside of her eyelids?
  • ...sorry. I realise that wasn't helpful, and didn't mean to be flippant about an emotional situation. Sorry again.
  • 's OK Pallas- I laughed, if somewhat wryly.
  • Ban Pallas Athena and then devote 37 blog entries to why we should not have.
  • She started to become suspicious when he attempted to "return" broken merchandise to Wal-Mart that the store doesn't even carry. She's dating Claude Allen?