The Pesky Problem of People-Searching
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This document discusses best practices for conducting people searches and background research. It begins by outlining common uses for people searching such as due diligence for investments, M&A deals, and risk compliance. It then discusses challenges like finding reliable sources and verifying identity. The document provides tips for developing a search strategy including starting broadly, avoiding bias, and telling a complete story. It also cautions that research must stay legal and avoid stalking. Specific search sources and types of information are outlined along with tips for analysis and reporting.
The Pesky Problem of People-Searching
- 1. THE PESKY PROBLEM OF PEOPLE-SEARCHING Marcy Phelps Phelps Research Inc. mphelps@phelpsresearch.com WebSearch University September 17, 2015
- 3. Due Diligence / Business Intelligence Investments M & A Risk/Compliance Vendors/Alliances Expert witnesses Competitive analysis Opposition research 3
- 5. Good sources are hard to find 5 Thanks to Phil Bradley: Alternative search engines; Library 2.014 presentation http://snipurl.com/2a5b7ow
- 6. People-finding sources One-stop shopping NOT! Free NOT! Error-prone Get serious about collection development Verify, verify, verify! 6
- 7. Precision is everything Is this your subject? Supplied identifying info (DOB, location, work history, etc.) Verify identity in found info 7
- 8. A rose by any other name Full legal name Common/business name Middle name/initial Nickname First name first/last name first Maiden/married names Screen names 8
- 9. Theres a fine line between Research, Investigation, & Stalking 9
- 10. Avoiding the pitfalls Staying legal Sources Types of info, limitations Strategy, Tips 10
- 11. Know the law Nonpublic personal info FCRA (creditreporting.com/fair-credit-reporting-act/) GLBA (ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/privacy-and- security/gramm-leach-bliley-act) DPPA (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver%27s_Privacy_Protection_Act) PI Licensing 11
- 12. Other considerations How is the info being used? Information security Anonymous searching No pretexting 12
- 13. SOURCES WHAT TO EXPECT 13
- 14. Types of sources General search engines Specialized search engines Social sites News, including local Public/nonpublic records Associations/regulatory agencies Fee-based sources 14
- 15. Types of info Contact info Biographies/CVs Opinion pieces Media mentions/profiles Watch lists Social media profiles/mentions Regulatory records Credentials Sex-offender registries Assets And more! 15
- 16. Look for Identity confirmation Affiliations Career Education Litigation/Regulatory Action Misc. (Social, political, etc.) 16
- 17. Other considerations Free or fee? Aggregated or go to the source? Coverage? 17
- 19. Goals Due Diligence Confirm all provided information Uncover any missing information Reconcile any inconsistencies Identify red or yellow flags Analyze and report 19
- 20. Goals - Process Comprehensive Respect budget/time frame Start broad dont limit yourself Avoid confirmation bias (phelpsresearch.com/avoiding-confirmation- bias-in-investigations) The past predicts the future 360-degree view Tell the story Save everything 20
- 21. Be prepared Determine level of risk/due diligence Manage expectations Develop a process Collect sources Create checklists/templates Gather everything you know 21
- 22. Find background info Locations Name variations Spouse/partner Found bios Affiliations 22
- 23. Start with Google marcy phelps (phelps research OR university of Denver) Directory listings Social profiles Speaker, other bios Employers Spouse Locations Leads 23
- 24. Other sources LinkedIn/Twitter/Facebook LexisNexis/TLO.com/Tracersinfo.com KnowX.com Secretary of State websites 24
- 25. Watch lists PEPs, government sanctions, high-profile criminals Compliance/Due diligence LexisNexis Dow Jones TLO.com 25
- 26. Regulatory / Credentials FINRA, NFA, FSA, HKSFC Wikipedia: List of financial regulatory authorities by country http://bit.ly/1ooJ8QT BRBpub.com State licensing AMA, ABA, other national licensing boards CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) ICAEW (Chartered Accountant) 26
- 27. Verify degree(s) Official verification Directly / 3rd party providers Need signed consent, other documentation Best alternative News/social media Alumni /university websites Academic searching 27
- 28. Public records BRBPub.com LexisNexis TracersInfo.com, TLO.com *The Manual to Online Public Records, 3rd ed., Sankey & Hetherington, Facts on Demand Press (BRB Publications), 2013. 28
- 29. Court searching State civil, criminal Federal civil, criminal, bankruptcy Limitations Sources Aggregators: LN, Westlaw, etc. State courts: AOC or individual courts Federal Courts: PACER.gov 29
- 30. News **LexisNexis, Factiva, ProQuest Dialog Google / Bing (yes, Bing) ABYZNewsLinks.com Industry publications *Combine name variations with affiliations, spouses name: (marcy phelps OR marcy m. phelps OR phelps marcy) (phelps research OR AIIP OR bma Colorado OR la leche league OR LLL) 30
- 31. Analysis and reporting Summarize Connect the dots Primary docs? Implications? Next actions? 31
- 32. Additional resources Hetherington Group Training & Books Guide to Online Due Diligence Investigations, Cynthia Hetherington, Facts on Demand Press, 2015 Toddington International OSINT Training & Resources (toddington.com/resources) PhelpsResearch.com/blog 32