DIY people searches are an increasingly popular way to find people both personally and in business.  There are many companies offering help with people search but search is only useful if it is true and accurate.  There are 3 areas to take into account when looking for a people search service.

Data Quality

The first issue is data quality.  The main factor for data quality is having a comprehensive range of records that are frequently updated, go back a considerable way and then has a range of data contained in the results. People search companies aggregate data using a range of public and private records.  It can be difficult to determine data quality.  That’s where being able to run a free people search can be good because you can get an idea of how accurate the data will be. Some questions that you ask before running a search include:

• How often are their records updated? The databases which a people search company uses has to be updated regularlay in order to provide accurate information. A good search company updates their records frequently, at least every 2 months.
• How far back do the records go? Many state and county records go back to the 1950s, while some phone databases are only good for each year. Make sure that the people search company’s data goes back far enough to provide a complete history.
• How many resources, and what type, do they use for a search? This information is usually confidential, but they should be able to tell you in general whether they have county information, national databases, and what kinds of databases they access.
• Is their information tested to ensure its accurate? A reliable people search company conducts independent tests to verify the quality of source information they use. The exact testing procedures vary between different companies; ask what process they use to verify that their data sets are accurate.
• How detailed is their search report? Some people search companies only provide the last three mailing addresses without a phone number; others provide all data available for the past ten years, plus up-to-date contact information.  You can request a sample report or check the information on their website to find out if you’ll get enough information to work with.

Customer Service

Not every search will be successful at the beginning; some may return no results or return too many for the person to identify their query with any degree of certainty. The people search company’s customer service can make the difference between a futile and  successful search. The average people search companies only offer email or online support.  Look for a people search company that provides a “help” page and direct contact information, including a phone number. Each people search company has their way of organising their data so it can be useful to chat with a live service representative. They will be able to explain portions of the search report or help with any technical difficulties.  Some of the better people search companies even provide an extra service to work directly with search experts who conduct manual searches based on custom criteria. Better service can translate into much better accuracy for a person search.

Company History

It is easy for a someone to start a people search company – they just need to buy a CD of old public records and set up a website. The only way to determine whether the company is trustworthy is to do a little investigating. Go with a large, established company with a good reputation.

• How long they have been in business. Many people search companies have been operating for under a year. It makes sense that the longer a company has been in business, the better their resources and experience are going to be.
• Adhering to company standards and code of ethics. Unfortunately there are no standards or industry groups for people search companies. Each people search company sets its own quality standards, so check out its website for further detail and limits, like not performing searches for minors, law enforcement personnel or celebrities.

Doing your own research about a people search company gives you a degree of certainty that the people search report you receive will contain accurate data. Checking the data quality before running a report increases the likelihood that you receive the information you’re after and checking a company’s background and customer service procedures ensures you have a good experience.

If you’re looking for a dependable people search company in the UK then take a look at 192.com – they have a solid reputation for providing detailed people search reports and offer excellent customer service.