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Extent
of Our Experience:
We were in on the pioneering
of this new field back in 1985 when many investigators scoffed at
its potential. Loss Prevention Concepts, Ltd. was the first in
Michigan to offer a low cost locate service geared for attorneys and
the insurance industry. Since then, of course, many
investigative firms began to imitate our Tracer-35SM
service. Initially, we realized the potential benefits of this
access, but we also understood the dangers and potential for misuse.
We Provide Only Responsible
Data Base Search Access:
All modern investigation
services have access to many data base sources or data purchased
from information brokers. Most use this valuable tool
responsibly, some don't. When Loss Prevention Concepts, Ltd.
is asked by a consumer to locate a person, we establish the reason
for the request. If, for instance, a male advised that he
wants to reach his ex-girlfriend, who moved out, we would offer to
locate her and ask that she call him. We would not, however,
simply find her and pass on her address to the client. Unless
there is a clear legitimate verifiable need for the client to locate
the person in question, we just don't do it. We question the
ethics of services which will simply provide any available
information to anyone, because there are no laws preventing its
dissemination. Organized crime has been known to employ such
services in locating persons they are interested in.
Additionally, there are many mentally disturbed and dangerous people
in the world. In one case, a man obsessed with a young
television actress obtained her home address through such an
investigation service. This man then proceeded to the
actress's home where he murdered her.
Common Uses of Our Data Base
Searches
In addition to the value this
service can have in locating witnesses, criminal suspects, and
others, these searches can significantly reduce the cost of public
record searches. All property ownership information in the
State of Florida, for example, can now be accessed through a single
data base. Many counties' civil and criminal indexes are now
on line, some with a court runner feature that indicates if the
subject name appears in surrounding counties. Driving records
and license plate checks can be obtained in most states with
restrictions on the use of the information. UCC filings in
many counties are also accessible on line and can prove valuable
during asset verifications or searches. Additionally, there
are a variety of mover indexes, cross indexes, death record indexes
and data bases that list licensed professionals. Typically
data base searches are conducted as a component of an investigation,
rather than a stand alone service.
Credit Reports
Credit reports are available
on line from the four major national credit bureaus, and can be
obtained for permissible reasons under the Fair Credit Reporting
Act. We seldom obtain credit reports, but on occasion they can
prove of value in a case. All such requests can be
electronically tracked, a fact many unethical investigators seem
unaware of. Therefore, should a client without a permissible
reason for access under the FCRA request a credit report from such
an unscrupulous investigation service, repercussions can be
expected, although they might come years later.
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