Living in the 21st century means having a big digital footprint. Whether it’s for video streaming, social media, or even online banking, everyone has an account that carries their personal data on the internet. People are used to sharing the smallest details of their life online, disregarding the fact that it is visible to thousands of strangers, watching their every move.
Sure, there are safety measures you can take too, but those who are well-versed will always find a loophole, exposing your secret no matter the anonymity.
While this can be pretty dangerous in other terms, for private investigators, it’s like hitting the jackpot. It makes their job super easy when their target is active on the internet. No matter how small the crumbs may be, a PI is quick to catch up, utilizing them as clues. To learn more about how a private investigator tracks down people, keep on reading this blog.
How Does a Private Investigator Use the Internet to Track Down People?
Truth be told, private investigators rely on the trail of activities a person leaves behind on the internet. This can be their social media profile, email, or even public online chats. Take a look to see just how deep a PI has to ruffle through to get the information they need.
- Data Fusion
The data you enter online is never really limited just to you. Most basic information, like your social security number, phone number, email address, identity number, full name, etc., is directly uploaded to a backlog database. Plus, private investigators have access to these hidden databases, making it easier for them to mine for the details required. - Search Engines
You might think you’re as sleek as a spy by deleting your search history. But the truth is, every time you click on an ad, fill out an impromptu survey, enter your bank credentials, or sign up for a membership, you’re leaving behind a big footprint.
Private investigators know which tools to use to dig out this information. They then piece together the small bits and pieces of data that they have, forming the final picture. - Social Media
The easiest way to get details on someone’s life is by scrolling through their social media. Since these apps and sites are known to be the window to your life, they’re incredibly helpful when digging up crucial information. For instance, a private investigator can unearth where someone works, which cafe or spots they frequent, who their closest friends are, etc. - Fitness Trackers
Wearable fitness trackers are yet another great source of information for a PI. Considering how people keep their fitness trackers near them at all times, it can easily collect and distribute your location, workout history, peak exercise hours, etc. - Email
While the contents inside of an email may be encrypted, the address or handle itself can give a lot away. Most people use their birth year, name, favorite color, or pseudo-name in their email accounts. These small keywords tend to serve as a big clue to private investigators.
Get In Touch With a Private Investigator Today!
If you want to get information about someone or are in need of a PI for the court, look no further. Simply contact Main Security & Investigations at 281-574-1871 for more information. You can also visit us at 11221 Richmond Avenue, Suite C103, Houston, Texas 77082, United States, opposite Vino Graphix.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only.Nothing on this site should be taken as an advice for any individual case or situation.
