I. INTRODUCTION TO PERSONAL RECORDS IN CYBERSPACE
 
1: Welcome to Cyberspace (Check Your Clothes at the Door)
How This Book Is Organized
What Type of Research Interests You?
Types of Personal Records
Where Can I Find More Information?
 
2: Database Searching
Equipment and Software
TYPES OF DATABASE VENDORS
Boutique Services
Multi-Producer Database Vendors
Gateway Services
Types of Data
Search Languages
Delayed Retrieval
Database Pricing and Fees
CD-ROM Database Pricing
Online Database Pricing
Copyright and Resale
Errors and Omissions
Information Professionals or Brokers
 
3: The Internet, Bulletin Board Systems, and Personal Information
What the Internet Is Not
What Kinds of Personal Information Can You Find
on the Internet and Commercial Bulletin Board Systems?
 
4: A Few Sample Searches
Locating a Person
Searching for Assets
A Background Profile
 
5: A Word About Privacy
Privacy Laws
Technology and Personal Information
A Last Word about Privacy
 
II. HOW PERSONAL RECORDS ARE USED
 
6: Locating People
Getting Started
The Problems With Names
Databases Used
What Do You Know About the Person?
Is the Name Unique?
How Long Has It Been Since You Knew Where This Person Was?
Is the Person Hiding?
Is the Person Famous? An Expert?
Are There Friends or Relatives Who Might Be Located
as an Alternative?
How Old Is the Person?
What Is Your Relationship to the Person? Why Are You Looking for Him?
Summary
 
7: Pre-Employment Screening
What Is Pre-Employment Screening?
Professional Licenses
Motor Vehicle Records
FAA Airmen
Consumer Credit Records
An Alternative Social Security Number Screening Device
Earnings History
Education Verification
Employment History
Worker's Compensation History
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Records
Medical Records
Public Records
Combined Pre-Employment Searches
Other Pre-Employment Databases
Summary

8: Recruitment and Job Searching
Job Seekers
General Resume Databases
Jobs Sought Within a Geographic Area
Jobs Sought Within an Industry
Minorities Seeking Employment
Military
College Students Seeking Employment
Hot Prospects
Job Openings
Classified Ads
Openings Within an Industry
Openings Within Specific Companies or Agencies
Openings Within a Geographic Area
Openings for College Students
Newsletters
Summary
 
9: Tenant Screening
Credit Records
Public Records
Tenant Databases
Summary
 
10: Asset Searches
Anyone Who Is About to Sue Someone
Anyone Being Sued
Anyone Going Into Business With Someone
Anyone Extending a Substantial Amount of Credit to Someone
What Types of Records Are Available?
What's Missing?
Summary
 
11: Competitive Intelligence
Who's Who?
Corporate Musical Chairs
Current Awareness
Where Have They Been? What Have They Done?
What Are They Thinking?
Stock Ownership
Business Predictions Hidden in Public Records
Summary

12: Identifying an Expert
Preparing a Legal Case
Planning a Meeting
Recruiting New Employees
Pursuing the Unknown
Producing a Talk Show
Writing an Article, Book, Play, or TV Show
How Can You Identify an Expert?
Summary
 
13: Prospect Research (Fundraising)
News
Campaign Contributions
Public Records
Telephone Directory Databases
Motor Vehicle Records
Mailing Lists
Foundations and Grants Databases
Summary
 
14: Private Investigation
Public Records
Motor Vehicle Records
Telephone Directories
Not All Private Investigators Use Databases
Bulletin Boards
Further Information

III. TYPES OF PERSONAL RECORDS
 
15: Biographies
Biographical Book Directories
Biographical Books
Encyclopedias
Biographical Index Directories
Biographical Directories
Biographical Newspaper Articles
Other Biographical News
Bulletin Board Services
 
16: General Indices Dialindex
FamilyFinder Index
Public Records Indices
Information America's Wizard
CDB Infotek's Info:PROBE Searches
CDB Infotek's CompuTrace
 
17: Telephone Directories
Geographic Differences
Residential Versus Business
Subject Area
Currency
Accuracy
Added Content
Search Capabilities
Use Restrictions
Price
Telephone Directories on the Internet
For Further Information

18: Staff, Professional, and Other Directories
Staff Directories
Professional Directories
Ancillary Directories
 
19: Mailing Lists
Telephone Directories
Other Directories
Magazine Subscriptions
Associations and Membership Groups
Call-Ins/Write-Ins/Buyers
Warranty Registration Cards
Friends and Family
Telephone Inquiries
Attendees
Donors
Government Agencies
Public Records
Online Mailing Lists
Mailing List Swapping
Finding an Existing Mailing List
Mailing List Expenses
Stopping the Junk Mail and Telemarketing Calls
 
20: News
News Directories
Newspapers
Newswires
Magazines
Journals
Zines
Newsletters
Television and Radio Transcripts
Combined News Databases
News Clipping Services
Bulletin Boards
 
21: Photographic Images
Photo Stock Agencies
News Services
Business Periodicals and Magazines
Missing Children and Loved Ones
CRIMINALS
Alleged Abductors
Registered Sex Offenders
The FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives
Photos Included in Other Databases

22: Quotations
Speech Databases
Quotations Databases
Professional and Technical Papers Presented
Published Articles
Published Books
Political Speeches
College Dissertations
Quotations Bulletin Boards

23: Bank Records
Personal Bank Accounts
Business Bank Accounts
 
24: Business Credit and Company Financial Records
Public Records
Sources of Business Financial Information
 
25: Consumer Credit Records
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
604--Permissible Purpose of Reports
Credit Databases
Searching the Credit Files
Credit Agency Reports
Consumer Credit History (a.k.a. Profile or AcroFile or Focus Form 2000) Reports
Employment (a.k.a. Employment Insight, Persona, or Peer) Reports
Collection Reports
Consumer Reports
Address Update (a.k.a. Finders, Return Mail, Credit Header, Atlas, or FACT) Reports
Address Verification (a.k.a. Report Card) Reports
Social Security Number Search (a.k.a. DTEC or TRACE) Reports
Fraud Alert/Prevention/Detection (a.k.a. FACS+, Safescan, Hawk) Reports
Examples of Additional Credit Services
Credit Bureaus
Consumer Rights
Requesting a Copy of Your Credit Report
Foreign Consumer Credit Records
Limitations on the Records Displayed on Credit Reports
Summary

26: Criminal Justice Records
CRIMINAL JUSTICE DATABASES
Advance Passenger Information System (APIS)
Inmate Logs
Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
Booking Logs
Central Repository
Consolidated Asset Tracking System (CATS)
Consolidated DNA Identification System (CODIS)
Counterdrug Information Indices System (DRUGX)
Crime Information Network (CINet)
Criminal Records

EPIC (El Paso Intelligence Center) Database
INS Automated Fingerprint Identification System
INS Passenger Accelerated Service System (INSPASS)
Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS)
Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS)
The INTERPOL-U.S. National Central Bureau System
Interstate Identification Index (III)
Motor Vehicle Records
National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
National Drug Pointer Index System (NDPIX)
National Fingerprint File (NFF)
National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)
National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)
Regional Information Sharing System (RISS)
Violent Gang and Terrorist Organizations File (VGTOF)

OTHER USES FOR CRIMINAL RECORDS
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS AND DATABASES
Europol
INTERPOL AND TREVI
CRIMINAL JUSTICE BULLETIN BOARDS AND NETWORKS
ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE DATABASES AND SYSTEMS
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Publications
Other Criminal Justice Resources

27: Department of Motor Vehicles
Identifying Information on Individuals
Driver's License Data
Driving Records
Vehicle Registrations
Vessel Registrations
Vehicle/Vessel Histories
Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS)
How to Access DMV Records Online
Regulations on Accessing DMV Records
 
28: Death Records
Social Security Records
CDB Infotek's CompuTrace
Social Security Death Records Index (CD110)
Public Records Vendors
Fatality Reports
Cemetery Records
Salt Lake City Cemetery Records (CD168)
USA Wars: Vietnam
Mortality Records Index CDs
Mortality Records Index: United States--Family Archive (CD164)
Texas 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 Mortality Schedule (CD49)
Demografiska Databasen
Deaths in the News
Public Record of Death
Deaths in Other Databases
 
29: Tax Records
Franchise Tax Records
Board of Equalization Records (or State Sales Tax Board)
Property Tax Records
Income Tax Records Within Public Records
 
30: Medical and Insurance Records
Medical Registries
Access to Medical Records
Medical Insurance Databases
Public Records
Civil Records
Motor Vehicle Records
Worker's Compensation Records
News
Mailing Lists
OSHA Records
Concern for the Future
 
31: Public Records
Limitations of Online Public Records
TYPES OF PUBLIC RECORDS AVAILABLE ONLINE
Arrests
Articles of Incorporation
Bankruptcy Records
Business Public Filings
Campaign Contributions
Case Transcripts
Case Summaries
Certificates of Listings or Secretary of State Filings
Certificates of Merger
Certificates of Name Reservation
Certificates of Non-Filing
Certificates of Status
Civil Court Indices
Consumer Public Filings
Corporate and Limited Partnership Records
Corporate Document Listings or Corporate Records
Corporate Tax Records
Court Dockets
Criminal Records
Death Records
Divorce Records
Federal Tax Liens
Fictitious Name Statements
Franchise Tax Board Status Letters
Grantor/Grantee Indices
Hospital Liens
Judgments
Lawsuits
Liens
Limited Partnership Records
Lis Pendens
Marriage License Indices
Mechanic's Liens
Notice of Default/Notice of Sale
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) Records
Probate Records
Real Property Ownership
Sales and Use Tax Permits
SEC Reports
Sidewalk Liens
Statements and Designations by Foreign
Corporations and Amendments
Statements of Domestic Stock Corporations
Tax Liens
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Indices
COURT RECORDS SYSTEMS
Appellate Court Electronic Services (ACES)
Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER)
OTHER TYPES OF RECORDS AVAILABLE FROM PUBLIC RECORDS VENDORS
Business Credit Records
Consumer Credit Records
Death Records (from the Social Security Benefits Records)
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Records
Fish and Game Licenses
General Indices
Military Locators
Motor Vehicle Records
National Address Search
National (Postal) Change of Address (NCOA)
Professional Licenses
Publishers' Change of Address
Telephone Directory Searches
Utility Company Records
Voter Registration Records
Watercraft Ownership Records
Worker's Compensation Records
Grouped Searches

OTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE FROM PUBLIC RECORDS VENDORS
Document Retrieval
On-Site Court Searches
Screening and Verification Services
Summary
 
32: Adoption Records
Adoption/Reunion Registries
Birthparent Connection Registry
Bulletin Boards
Adoption/Reunion Publications
Adoption Legislation
Children Available for Adoption
 
33: Celebrity Records
Biographies and Credits
Upcoming Projects
Contact Information and Business Relationships
News
Other Databases
Bulletin Boards
Celebrity Deaths
 
34: Genealogical Records
Software
Standard Genealogical Record Formats
Genealogical Networks and Bulletin Boards
Commercial Databases
Where to get Started
Name Indices
Soundex Codes
Genealogical Registries and Family Pedigrees
Immigration Records
Census Records
Birth Record Indices
Marriage Record Indices
Real Property Records
Military Records
Combined Records
Ethnic Records
Additional Ethnic Genealogical Resources
Death Records
Genealogical Collections
Summary
 
35: Political Records
Political News
Political Directories
Biographies
Voting Records/Politics
Money
Events
Government Documents
 
36. We the People
Census Records
Other Demographic and Statistical Databases
Census Projections
Foreign Census Records, Demographics, and Statistics
Demographic and Statistical Publications
 
IV. WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION?
 
BOOKS
Adoptee/Birthparent Search Guides
Background Research/Investigative Reporting Books
Genealogical Research Guides
Locating People
Mailing List Directories
Privacy and Freedom of Information Books; Proceedings, and Government Documents
Public Records Research Guides
 
Periodicals
Adoptee/Birthparent Search Publications
Competitive and Business Intelligence Publications
Fundraising/Prospect Research Publications
Genealogical Research Publications
Investigative Journalism & Investigative Publications
Mailing Lists/Direct Marketing Publications
Online Research and Database Publications
Pre-Employment Screening and Recruitment Publications
Privacy and Computer Security Publications
Private Investigation Publications
Property Management Publications
 
ORGANIZATIONS
Adoptee/Birthparent Search Organizations
Asset Search Organizations
Fundraising/Prospect Research Organizations
Genealogical Research Organizations
Legal Research Associations
Mailing List/Direct Marketing Associations
Organizations Involved in Privacy Rights, Computer Privacy, or Freedom of Information
Private Investigators Associations
Process Server Associations
Professional Research Associations That Are Knowledgeable About Online Searching
Property Management Organizations
Public Records Research Organizations
Skip-Tracers and Collection Agency Associations
Tenant Screening Associations
Writers and Reporters Organizations
 
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Databases That Include Biographies
Appendix B: Book Directory Databases
Appendix C: Business Credit and Company Financial Databases Including Personal Information
Appendix D:Professional and Staff Directory Databases
Appendix E: Other Directory Databases Containing Employee Information
Appendix F: General Encyclopedia Databases
Appendix G: Magazine, Newsletter, Newspaper, and Periodical Directory Databases
Appendix H: Databases That Include Photographs
Appendix I: Quotation, Speech, and Transcript Databases
Appendix J: Telephone Directories
Appendix K: Adoption Registries
Appendix L: Major Bulletin Board Vendors
Appendix M: Public Records Producers and Vendors
Appendix N: Other Database Vendors
Appendix O: Companies and Associations That Can Help To Remove Your Name From Mailing List