How to Locate and Use Information Brokers

Selling information retrieved from a variety of databases is what information brokers do best. Private investigators often use information brokers. Some resell that same information at a higher price. You can find out just about anything from information brokers including cellular telephone numbers, some medical information and current or former addresses. Using the services of information brokers is very cheap compared to the cost of obtaining this information from other sources. Often, you can obtain information for just a few dollars.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Locate and use information brokers

1. Locate information brokers on the internet either by visiting some of the directory sites or by contacting the AIIP, a trade association for information brokers, online to browse through a very lengthy directory of information brokers including website links.
2. Choose the type of information you want to buy. Typifying the types of information that can be obtained from information brokers is Discreet Research, an online information broker. Their services include social security number traces, post office box traces, bankruptcy search, name and address from a disconnected cellular phone number, marriage and divorce records, real property ownership search and nationwide criminal index searches. Although it is now more difficult to obtain social security numbers online, it is not possible. Under a limited number of situations, you can obtain a credit report.
3. Buy your information. An example using Discreet Research’s criminal warrant search is their fee of $49 which is payable even if no records are returned. Some information brokers such as Tracers, require an application and that you be a information professional such as a private investigator. Most information brokers, however, have no such restriction but will require a short application or registration process.
4. Completing the registration process, you can then order your services. All that's left is to pay for the information search (in advance, of course).
5. Accessing information usually takes only a few minutes. Keep in mind that warrant searches can take a few days. Often, obtaining some information inspires a desire for additional follow-up information. Once you start on an information broker search, you will often get hooked on collecting information about friends, relatives and other people.

Tips & Warnings

• The results will be greater if you have as much information as possible before your search.
• Violation of the new identity theft laws is a serious offense. Also, if you engage in harassment, you could also be in trouble with law enforcement.