Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Find someone online
• Method 2 of 3: Find someone in alternative ways
• Method 3 of 3: Find a missing person
• Tips
• Warnings

In the computer age, everyone leaves a digital trail. And if the person doesn't have one, well, then we have to dig a little deeper. With Google, Facebook, Tumblr, LinkedIn and countless other social media sites, whoever you are looking for will probably have some personal information online. While it can be scary at times, it's easy to follow this trail all the way to the person you're looking for.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Find someone online

1. Write down all the essential information you know about this person. Trying to find someone using just their name is likely to produce too many results. Make your hunt more targeted by using data such as:
   • Full name and nickname
   • Age and date of birth
   • Schools attended
   • Hobbies, what the person likes or dislikes, team sports (especially in schools)
   • Workplaces
   • Old addresses and telephone numbers
   • Friends, family members and neighbors
2. Search for variations of the person's name and / or nickname. Every time you find a page or clue that other puzzle pieces of the profile fill in, write it down in the profile. For example, you may find that "Bea Harrington" is mentioned in a newspaper in Albany, NY, and a "Beatrice R. Harrington" in a brochure in Dallas, TX. Write down both locations in the profile with a question mark. If you find another indication that the person with that name is in one of these locations, always put a check mark next to that location.
   • To get exact matches only, put quotation marks around each version of their name. (If you are unsure of spelling, don't use quotes.) Submit it to major search engines (Google, Yahoo, etc); the more variations and search engines you try, the more information you are likely to find.
   • If you suspect the person has moved to another country, especially where a different language is spoken, try a foreign search engine. Many major search engines have different versions for different countries (Australia, China, etc.). Try that one.
   • When looking for a woman who may have been married and changed her name, try adding "née" in the search field for each variation (née is a word used in some cultures to indicate that the person has maiden name used).
3. Variety your online searches using different details about the person. After your search for the person's name and nickname, perform a new search with a small adjustment, such as residence, age, high school, former place of work, etc. Repeat if necessary.
   • If you know a particular website that this person may be associated with, you can search within the site on Google using something like "site: stanford.edu Beatrice Harrington" to only display results within that site.
4. Use a search engine specifically designed to find people. This allows anyone to search for people. For example, try ZabaSearch.com or Pipl.com. Use filters to fine-tune your results where applicable.
   • Lost Trekkers is one more place to find missing persons. Choose the country, mode of transport or any other option and leave the details in the relevant forum. You must register to make a call. You can search existing messages to see who might be looking for you or the same person you are looking for.
5. Search by the person's last known mobile phone number. Because cell phones and their numbers can be transferred to new devices or providers, cell numbers are less likely to change than landline numbers. While it usually costs money to find out the owner of a cell phone number, you can get lucky just by searching for the number using various search engines. If the person left their phone number somewhere on the internet, you will likely come across it. Enclose the entire number in quotation marks and experiment with dashes, periods, and parentheses to separate the numbers.
   • In the US, a three digit area code can be used to find out the location where a cell phone was issued, which can help locate a different area where the person has lived or worked. The next three digits of the number refer to the telephone exchange; most power stations occupy a small town, or an area within a town, for example, a block of 10 x 10 houses. You can contact the telephone companies in that area, or grab a phone book for the region and create a map of the area around the switchboard based on the switches in the book. If you have a telephone number and zip code, you can further refine the search area.
6. Search the online directory. Type in the person's name and other information that may be relevant. However, if you don't enter a location, you'll get results from all over the country, which is helpful if the person has moved.
   • Sometimes just searching by last name will get you to a family member you know. If the telephone directory shows a list of related people, you may find the person's name there. This can be useful in cases where the person you are looking for has changed his or her last name, such as after marriage.
   • Search for the person's zip code if you know them. With the full zip code you can find the exact street within a municipality. Now you can search for this person in guides in that area. If the person is not in that guide, please call the local information number. Often people have a secret number that is not in the directory, but is known by intelligence.
7. Search social networking sites. Some people say they don't want their public profile to appear in search results. In such a case you have to go straight to the source. For example, try searching MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google profiles. If you have a choice, make the results more specific by entering a city, school, or similar. To search all the major social networking sites at once, use a search engine like Wink.com.
8. Consider more unusual searches. Sometimes Facebook and Google do not give you the exact information you are looking for. If there are ... special events that this person may have had to deal with, you can focus on those instead of the general data that each website provides.
   • Most US states have judicial search sites where (after agreeing to the terms, of course) you enter a person's name and all of their legal contact will be listed. In any case, it's juicy reading material, and you have their location (if they are in that state).
   • If you haven't heard from this person for a while, you can find out if he or she has died (in the US, use the Social Security Death Index).
   • Most US states maintain prisoner lists. With a quick internet search you will find the local website of a prison.
   • In America, the National Personnel Records Center is quite an extensive list of military records.
9. Make a call. If you know where the person is, post a call on a local online bulletin board (eg Craigslist). Explain who you are looking for and why. Leave an e-mail address where you can possibly receive spam.
   • If you want a long-term ad, build a simple website with the person's name as the keyword. If the person searches for their own name, your site may appear.
   • If you don't know a person's location, but know what school he or she went to, the person's occupation or hobbies / interests, try posting on forums and email lists ("listservs" ). Do consider the privacy of the person; do not disclose incriminating data you have about them.
10. Think carefully when posting in a forum to find friends. Such forums are available and run by "search angels" or volunteers who use special tools to find people. However, it is unlikely that the person you are looking for would like their data to be given to strangers online - especially the kind of person who hasn't left a trace of data so far.

Method 2 of 3: Find someone in alternative ways

1. Ask around. Connect with other people who knew the specific person you're looking for (or can connect you with someone who knows him or her). Ask them questions about when they last saw the person, spoke to them, or any personal information such as last known email addresses or phone numbers.
   • Explain why you are looking for this person. They may not tell you anything to protect the person's privacy, but they may tell the person that you are looking for them, and the person may be able to contact you. Therefore, leave your name and telephone number.
2. Look up organizations of which the person may be or have been a member. That could be a hobby, a church, a non-profit, or a professional organization. If available, ask for a copy of their member list and look up the person's name there.
   • This is also a good place to find people who might know something. If they can't tell you exactly where the person is, they may be able to take you one step closer.
3. Consider spending some money. If you really need to know where this person is, you can spend some money to get the information you want. Sites like www.intelius.com (used by zabasearch.com) often have more extensive files, but they charge money for their data. If you are willing, it can solve your problems.
   • If it doesn't work out on the internet, consider hiring a private investigator. If you don't have enough luck or time to track this person down, you might be better off leaving it to a professional.
4. Make some phone calls. While it may be annoying, the best way to find the person is through his or her network. If you know which circles the person last entered, call the people in those circles. Whether it's a boss, ex-girlfriend or neighbor, give us a call. That's always better than driving everywhere.
   • Make sure you appear friendly and sensible. The world is so filled with negative media these days that a stranger asking us about a friend is immediately suspicious. You might get a few nasty responses, but you might also be lucky.
5. Visit the court. While an online search can yield similar results, walking to your local court (or the one near the person) can give you new information. Find the public archive and chat with the servant. Who knows? You may find something there that will get you on the right track.
   • Be warned, it can cost money. However, it is probably not that expensive. Be glad they don't hand out your public information like candy.

Method 3 of 3: Find a missing person

1. Call the police. If you are sure that the person is indeed missing, notify the police. Unfortunately, people disappear every day and there are plans for such an event.
   • Be sure to provide all the details about the person: age, height, weight, hair color, eye color, skin color, distinguishing features, what the person was wearing when he or she disappeared, etc. Also, give them a recent photo and the fingerprints (if you that have).
2. File a declaration online. You can do this via the website of the Dutch police.
   • There are also sites and organizations for specific groups, such as missing children. If your person fits into one of those categories, check the relevant website.
3. Search his or her social profiles thoroughly. Whether a child, teen, or adult, search the person's social profiles (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) for clues as to what may have happened. They may have posted something that leads to something you were not aware of.
   • Also check the profiles of the person's friends - the information may be there too. You may want to ask these friends if they heard anything. Sometimes people take refuge with others whom they do not need to see in person.
4. Hang pictures in the city. Hopefully this person is still around - if so, the only way to draw attention to the people around you is hanging pictures. Others can keep an eye out and contact you if they see anything.
   • Provide all vital information (which you have also passed on to the police) and make sure you enter multiple telephone numbers. At least give your first name and emphasize that you can be called day and night.
5. Search your home, the area and local hospitals. In such cases, it is impossible to sit still and let others do the work. Once you've searched your entire home (or the person's home), expand your search to the neighborhood, then the city, eventually reaching out to hospitals. It is not really pleasant, but it is necessary.
   • When contacting hospitals, describe the person you are looking for. The person may not be listed under his or her real name. Bring a recent photo to speed up the process.
6. Notify friends, family and neighbors. The more people can pay attention, the better. You should not only tap into your own social network, but that too of the person. Whether it's the barista at the Starbucks the person went to every day or the ready-over, let them know.
   • If possible, contact these people with details and a photo. Acquaintances may need the photo to refresh their memory.
7. Notify the media. If you've done everything in the area, notify the media. The best way to reach a large group of people is through local TV channels, newspapers and other publications. Hopefully someone has seen something somewhere.
   • Remember that everyone is on your side. There is no need to feel embarrassed, ashamed, or guilty. You do what you can to make sure this person comes back safely.

Tips

• Be honest when you find the person. If you're on the trail of someone, don't pretend you just happen to be around. Be honest about your search. It may be embarrassing, but the person may feel flattered. If the person is uncomfortable, be understanding and stop reaching out. The worst part is when you reconnect with this person and he or she later finds out that you have been looking all over for him or her. That can be very alarming and disturbing, especially since you were hiding something from them.
• Change your mindset. This may not be the person you once knew. The person's appearance, preferences, lifestyle and habits can have changed drastically, even in a short period of time. Any data you have may be outdated. Don't rule out new data because "She never would have moved there" or "He never would have." You must also accept the possibility that the person has died or is in prison.
• Ask a person you trust for help if it is important enough to involve others. Also consider the pros and cons of doing this task alone.

Warnings

• Don't lie to people to get data. Not only is it unethical, but the person you're looking for can find out what you're doing and become suspicious, which could lead to a lawsuit.
• Doing this with the intention of stalking someone (even just looking at them) can lead to an area ban and eventual arrest.
• If you don't want to be found, don't put your personal information online. Usually it is not necessary to enter a home address, so don't do that either.
• Always remember that this person may not want to see / meet you.
• These same steps can also be used to find you.
• Be willing to pay for online services that help you find someone.