<p>While it can be scary to think about, having a loved one go missing is always a possibility. In 2021 alone, 521,705 missing person reports were filed in the United States. The best action you can take to avoid tragedy is to educate yourself. Let&rsquo;s talk about what it means for a person to go missing, and what steps you need to take to get that person home safe.</p>

<h2>Who is Considered a Missing Person?</h2>

<p>There are several categories of missing persons, but all share one similarity: their whereabouts are unknown to law enforcement. Until they are located, a person will remain defined as &ldquo;missing&rdquo; until their well-being can be confirmed. Once it&#39;s been determined that a person is missing, they will be placed in one of three groups:</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<ol>
	<li>
	<p><strong>Voluntary Missing Person&nbsp;</strong></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><strong>Missing Person Under the Influence of a Third-Party</strong></p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p><strong>Lost Person</strong></p>
	</li>
</ol>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h3><em>Voluntary Missing Person</em></h3>

<p>If a person runs away from home or otherwise leaves a situation under their own power, and they can not be found, they are defined as a &ldquo;voluntary missing person.&rdquo; Those looking for these people are aware they do not wish to return home, and tend to have either issues with their guardianship or the intent to commit suicide.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h3><em>Missing Person Under the Influence of a Third-Party</em>&nbsp;</h3>

<p>If someone goes missing against their will, they are defined as a &ldquo;missing person under the influence of a third-party.&rdquo; These persons have usually been the victim of a crime like abduction or in more severe cases, murder.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h3><em>Lost Person</em></h3>

<p>If a person goes missing due to incapacitation, usually related to a medical issue, mental illness, or intoxication, they are defined as a &ldquo;lost person.&rdquo; This often happens to those who wander away from senior care facilities, get lost after a night of drinking, or run away in the midst of a mental break.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>What to Do if Someone is Missing for 24 Hours</h2>

<p>A common myth you may have heard is that you can&rsquo;t report a person missing until they have been gone for 24 hours. <strong>This is not true.&nbsp;</strong>You can report that a person has been missing after any amount of time; the sooner the better. This is particularly true if the person is at higher risk, like children or the elderly. People in high risk groups are less likely to find their way home on their own, and therefore emergency services should be dispatched as soon as possible.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>How Do You Find a Lost Family Member?</h2>

<p>If you believe a family member has gone missing, and you have the ability to get in touch with them, you should try to do so before contacting authorities. While it&#39;s important to get emergency services involved, it does make the situation far more complicated. If you have the phone number of the lost family member or a general idea of their whereabouts, quickly call or try to locate them before calling 911. If you can&rsquo;t find them right away, immediately get the police involved.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>What Steps Should Be Taken to Find a Missing Person?</h2>

<p>If you cannot easily find the person, there are several steps you should take as quickly as possible. The faster you alert authorities and the public, the faster the person can be found.</p>

<h3>Contact the Authorities</h3>

<p>Call 911 and report the person missing. Give the authorities all the information you have about the person; the more info you provide, the better chance they have of finding them.</p>

<h3>Reach out to Friends, Co-Workers, and Acquaintances</h3>

<p>Contact anyone the person usually spends time with and ask if they&rsquo;ve seen them; close friends, co-workers and supervisors from their job, acquaintances from local clubs or the gym; anyone who may have seen them should be called.</p>

<h3>Check Their Favorite Spots and Nearby Services</h3>

<p>Check any coffee shops, libraries, or parks they usually hang out at. Contact local hospitals to see if they have been admitted, as some missing persons have been the victim of an incapacitating accident.</p>

<h3>Register Them Missing with the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System&nbsp;</h3>

<p>Register the person missing with the NAMUS and other national missing persons registries to further assist law enforcement.</p>

<h3>Post Flyers and Get On Social Media</h3>

<p>Put up photos of the person and identifying information both on social media and on posters around town. Try to target areas the person frequents.</p>

<h3>Contact the Local News</h3>

<p>Let your local news outlets know the person is missing to further get the word out. The more press surrounding the case, the higher profile it becomes.</p>

<h2>Missing Person Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</h2>

<h3>How Long Till a Person is Considered Missing?</h3>

<p>Despite the popular myth that a person isn&rsquo;t considered missing until 24 or 48 hours, anyone whose whereabouts cannot be determined is immediately considered missing. If you believe a person is lost or missing, and you cannot find them with a simple phone call or search, call 911.</p>

<h3>How Long Will Police Search For A Missing Person?</h3>

<p>Police will search for a missing person until they are found. Once a missing persons report has been filed, it&#39;s important to make sure authorities are alerted the second that person is found. If not, they will continue to have an open file and the police will search until that file is closed.</p>

<h3>Should I Hire A Private Investigator?</h3>

<p>If you do not believe that the person can be found through the authorities, social media, and local news outreach, hiring a private investigator could be helpful. Private investigators have a different level of insight than law enforcement agents, and may be able to use their experience to find alternative methods of finding a missing person.</p>

<h3>Which Law Enforcement Agencies Are Responsible For Finding Missing People?</h3>

<p>All levels of law enforcement can be involved in finding missing persons, from local and state all the way up to federal authorities like the FBI. The number of agencies involved depends on the condition of the missing person, how long they have been missing, and how high profile the case has become.</p>

<h3>Is There A Public Phone Directory For Reverse Search?</h3>

<p>If you believe a missing person has tried to contact you from an unknown phone number, you can conduct a reverse phone lookup to get their identification information. While there are public phone directories for reverse searches, third-party services can usually retrieve the information much more quickly.</p>

<h3>Can A Person Be Unreported Missing?</h3>

<p>There are several reasons a person could be unreported missing, including:</p>

<p>The person in question is suffering from chronic homelessness</p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p>The person is estranged from friends or family</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Law enforcement refuses to take their report</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>The person is in the country illegally</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>The person is an unknown dependant of unreported missing adults or teens</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>The person may be the victim of an undiscovered crime</p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p>&nbsp;These conditions are usually rare, and a person isn&rsquo;t usually unreported missing without notification to interested parties.</p>

<p>While it can be scary to think about, having a loved one go missing is always a possibility. In 2021 alone, 521,705 missing person reports were filed in the United States. The best action you can take to avoid tragedy is to educate yourself. Let&rsquo;s talk about what it means for a person to go missing, and what steps you need to take to get that person home safe.</p>

All levels of law enforcement can be involved in finding missing persons, from local and state all the way up to federal authorities like the FBI. The number of agencies involved depends on the condition of the missing person, how long they have been missing, and how high profile the case has become.

How to Find a Missing Person (Do these) - TPI

How to Find a Missing Person

ThePublicIndex

Published

<p>Phones are conveniences and annoyances at the same time. While we use them constantly to check social media, text messages, and work emails, more people leave their smartphones silent for calls. That means that missed calls are mysteries to be solved: who called me?&nbsp;</p>

<p>Letting calls go to voicemail is a strategy many people use to weed out unwanted intrusions on their workdays and evenings at home. Adding a spam filtering app reduces the number of interruptions as well. Still, when a call shows up that is unaccounted for by apps or voicemail, you can&rsquo;t help wondering who it was. You may wonder, &ldquo;How can I find out who called me for free?&rdquo;</p>

<h2>What are Unwanted Calls?</h2>

<p>Since the advent of cell phones, the number of households in the US with landlines has dropped to below 40 percent. The number of households with cell phones only has soared to nearly 60 percent.</p>

<p>That by itself is some protection from unwanted calls because cell phone numbers are not published the way that landline numbers always were in phone books. It&rsquo;s easier to keep your cell phone number private and away from scam callers.</p>

<p>However, the vast majority of calls are unwanted. Studies show that telemarketers and scam artists using auto-dialing computers make about 4 billion phone calls per month. While new government regulations require caller ID authentication, it&rsquo;s likely the telemarketers &ndash; mostly trying to defraud people &ndash; quickly found a way around the new rule.</p>

<p>Such telemarketing scams snare millions of people for an average of $502 each, over $28 billion a year. Amazingly, younger people and men are the most likely to fall prey to a convincing story and make payment for fake tech support, fraudulent IRS charges, or bail for a family member who isn&rsquo;t in custody.</p>

<h2>Types of Unwanted Calls</h2>

<p>When your neighbor calls to complain that your dog has been barking all day, it&rsquo;s an unwanted call, but that pales in comparison to getting dozens of robocalls per day. Some of those unwanted calls may:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Claim you won a sweepstakes. You didn&rsquo;t win, but they say they need your social security number or bank account number to verify the winning or deposit funds in your account. This information may be used to steal your identity.</li>
	<li>Warn you that your social security number &ldquo;has been suspended&rdquo; by the federal government and you either have to verify the digits (so the caller can steal your identity) or pay a fine by wire or gift cards. The government never calls people and doesn&rsquo;t take payments in those forms.</li>
	<li>Pretend to be tech support, telling you that your computer has been infected by a virus. Then ask for payment to fix the nonexistent bug.</li>
	<li>Pose as a coworker who desperately needs the PIN or password for an important account.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Claims to be from Amazon or another large company with questions about a recent order or are trying to resolve a shipping issue. They will ask &ldquo;to confirm&rdquo; information like credit card numbers if you believe them. This information allows them to steal from you.</li>
	<li>A fake bank employee saying that your account has been compromised, so they need your account number and debit card PIN verified. Hang up and call your bank directly before providing any of this sensitive information.</li>
</ul>

<h2>How to Find the Owner of the Number that Called?</h2>

<p>There are searchable databases of phone numbers used by spammers, scammers, and robocallers. You may confirm that other people receive unwanted calls from the same numbers, but that doesn&rsquo;t solve anything. Because many scammers can change the caller ID number that you see, knowing incoming phone numbers is frequently useless unless you can trace the calls to someone nearby. The best thing to do is block calls with a service or filter built into your smartphone.</p>

<p>If there are repeated calls from a local number, you may want to know why &ndash; and who. Record the number and note each time you get a call from them. You may run a reverse lookup to find out who it is but be wary when trying to find out why they&rsquo;re calling. (And remember, it may not be them, it may be a &ldquo;spoofed&rdquo; or completely fake caller ID number). If it turns out to be a local person who is harassing or stalking you, the police may get involved. Still, there&rsquo;s little they can do about an anonymous caller trying to defraud you but doesn&rsquo;t threaten bodily harm.</p>

<h2>Five Tools to Learn Who Called</h2>

<p>Many fraudulent callers can spoof the caller ID function so that the number they&rsquo;re calling from looks different every time. They can even switch caller ID information, so it looks like your neighbor is calling you or that you are calling yourself.</p>

<p>Several tools exist to drill down to the originating number of annoyance calls. Here is a handful to consider:</p>

<ol>
	<li>Truthfinder provides more details than a general reverse number lookup function. This site may also provide information about the number&rsquo;s owner including age, location, and personal information.</li>
	<li>Sync.Me is a reverse number lookup website with an optional cell phone application. This site offers information on international calls as well as local calls.</li>
	<li>PeopleFinderFree dives into all kinds of records, including photos, to dig up specific information on the person or people related to the phone number you search. Social media hits may be part of the results.</li>
	<li>FindPeopleFast does a background check according to the reverse phone number lookup you request. Consider how helpful it would be to know the caller&rsquo;s aliases and addresses.</li>
	<li>TrueCaller claims to research cell phone numbers, which is so helpful now that few callers use landlines. This service is also available as an Android or iOs app.</li>
</ol>

<h2>How To Report Unwanted Phone Calls</h2>

<p>If you have been a victim of fraud via telephone, you may make a report to the Federal Communications Commission (<a href="https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=39744">https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=39744</a><a href="https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=39744).Reporting">). Reporting</a>&nbsp;annoying calls that have not resulted in lost money is unlikely to result in any changes; telemarketers and scammers will continue to call.</p>

<p>Subscription services that block robo and scam calls are better able to block unwanted incoming calls when subscribers report them. These companies use algorithms to determine where the calls are coming from and can often detect and shut down suspicious calls before your phone rings.</p>

<h2>How To Stop Unwanted Calls</h2>

<p>The best way to reduce unwanted calls is to keep your phone number private. Do not give out your cell phone or landline number to every business you visit, such as for loyalty cards. It&rsquo;s just another data point that companies can use to track you. They&rsquo;re likely to sell that information to others.</p>

<p>While it&rsquo;s helpful to research the numbers showing up in your caller ID, it&rsquo;s even better not to have any. There are many ways to stop &ndash; or at least reduce &ndash; unwanted calls, starting with the Do Not Call Registry (<a href="http://www.donotcall.gov/">www.donotcall.gov</a>), which removes your number from most legal calling lists. Remember that robocallers and scammers are unlikely to pay attention to whether it&rsquo;s legal to call you once your number is registered with Do Not Call. Here are some additional tips to reduce the number of unwanted calls:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Filter calls coming to your cell phone by sending those not from contacts into spam.</li>
	<li>Join a subscription service like NoMoRobo that screens calls and flags those likely to be spam.</li>
	<li>Screen calls at home with Google Voice, voicemail, or an old-fashioned answering machine (NoMoRobo also works for free on landlines).</li>
	<li>Answer fewer calls. If you answer your phone, scammers and robocallers are more likely to call you again.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Governmental Resources to Report Fraud</h2>

<p>Your local police department is unlikely to help stop unwanted telephone calls. They will get involved if you can document some pattern of stalking or threats from a local source (such as an unhappy ex-spouse, former employee, or classmate). If you detect a pattern of threatening calls, you may contact law enforcement for advice and to document the complaint.</p>

<p>Most unwanted calls originate outside the country and are calls made from lists purchased on the dark web. If you or a household member were the victim of a telemarketing scam in the past, they would likely continue to call, hoping to trick you again. For these reasons, law enforcement is unlikely to be of help stopping the calls.</p>

<p>If you have been a victim of fraudulent calls, report your experience to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ftc.gov/">www.ftc.gov</a>. The Federal Trade Commission is the agency charged with fighting fraud and prosecuting criminals that use the internet, mail, or phones to commit crimes. While they may not be able to stop the calls, the information you provide may help them track down scammers before they defraud someone else.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

Still, when a call shows up that is unaccounted for by apps or voicemail, you can’t help wondering who it was. You may wonder, “How can I find out who called me for free?”

How Can I Find Out Who Called Me for Free? - TPI

How Can I Find Out Who Called Me for Free?

<p>When a person is arrested and booked for a criminal charge, one of the steps the jail takes in processing them is to photograph the offender. This is a forward-facing portrait that includes the shoulders and upper torso. Most mugshots have the offender&rsquo;s height and the registration number assigned by the jail. These are then included in the file of the offender.</p>

<p>The practice of taking mug shots started around the 1840s. It ws intended to create a photographic record of an arrested party, so identification by victims, the public, and investigators could occur.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Are Mugshots Public Records?</h2>

<p>Public records have been debated and even brought before judges regarding whether mugshots are true. A 2017 ruling in the Massachusetts Suffolk County Superior Court found that law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts can&rsquo;t use the state&rsquo;s criminal records law to withhold lists of people jailed, mug shots of police officers who are arrested, and police reports involving public officials accused of breaking the law. The consensus is that mugshots are public records and that once they exist, it is tough to make them disappear.</p>

<h2>Can You Look Up Mugshots Online?</h2>

<p>It is easy to look up mugshots online, and several channels can be used. Some websites allow you to enter some basic information, such as the name and state they were arrested, and provide a copy of the mug shot. These websites usually do so for a nominal per search or membership fee. There are also state and federal registries that allow you to look for criminal records, including mug shots. State and federal registries are usually free, but the search is more time-consuming, and you are limited to the records of the state or federal division you are perusing.</p>

<h2>How Long Does It Take for Mugshots to Appear Online?</h2>

<p>On average, mugshots appear online after an arrest in one to three days. Due to the online presence of most law enforcement activities, in some cases, mugshots can appear online in a manner of minutes. It can add to the embarrassment of getting arrested, particularly for public figures and celebrities. Some states have passed legislation that protects the privacy of their residents, and their records and mug shots may be less readily available. Individuals will sometimes go as far as to pay private companies to scrub their online presence of anything embarrassing, like a mug shot; such services are not 100% effective and very expensive.</p>

<h2>FOIA and Mugshots</h2>

<p>The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal statute designed to increase government transparency by giving the public access to information about the government. Much information can be requested under FOIA, but mugshots and criminal records are an exemption from what has to be made public. FOIA Exemption 7(C) allows the government to withhold &ldquo;records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes&rdquo; when the disclosure &ldquo;could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.&rdquo; This leaves state courts and jurisdictions to interpret if mugshots can be made available as part of FOIA on a case-by-case basis.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Search for Arrest Records &amp; Criminal Records</h2>

<p>Finding arrest and criminal records can serve several purposes for individuals and organizations. It can help verify that people you let into your home are safe and trustworthy, or it can help you better serve individuals with a criminal record looking for legal or social help. Specific job roles, such as working with children or managing assets, may require a criminal records check. Regardless of the reason, explore the following resources when searching for criminal records:</p>

<p><strong><em>State Registries</em></strong>: If you know the state where the arrest happened, you can start by searching the government websites containing records. These are free resources, but it can be time-consuming to navigate the layers of bureaucracy and to locate the correct department. The upside is that state departments are usually staffed during the day, so you can call in and get some help.</p>

<p><strong><em>Federal Registries</em></strong>: If you are searching for records related to a federal crime, you can start with national registries maintained by the federal departments that deal with criminal histories, such as the Department of Justice (DOJ). These are also free but pose similar challenges as state registries.</p>

<p><strong><em>Private Search Websites</em></strong>: using a personal search website like InfoTracer is often a helpful shortcut. You can let the system search thousands of public records for a small fee. There are situations when the search will not pull anything up, but this would likely happen with state and federal registries after hours of work.</p>

<h2>How to Remove a Mugshot&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Removing a mugshot from the internet is not an easy process. It helps to start by researching what protections your jurisdiction has to protect peoples&rsquo; privacy. Suppose there have been rulings that protect privacy by sealing criminal records and making them unavailable online. In that case, you can use that to petition directly to a web admin of the site in question and ask for the removal of your documents. You can also explore getting legal help for this, which can carry a considerable cost. To remove your criminal record from Google, you will need to file a petition with the court and ask for the arrest record and other records to be expunged or sealed. If the court hearing is successful, you can then send the expungement order to Google. Private services can help you with this process from start to finish, but they charge a fee.</p>

<p>Mugshots have been around for a long time, and they continue to be common practice with arrests. Whether you are looking for a mugshot record or exploring how to protect your sensitive information online, there are many resources available that can serve as a resource for you. In accessing mug shots, it is essential to weigh the need for this information against the privacy laws of different jurisdictions. Remembering that you are dealing with sensitive information is also a priority. Criminal records and mugshots can shed light on a person&rsquo;s history and put their experiences in context.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

Mugshot is a forward-facing portrait that includes the shoulders and upper torso. Most mugshots have the offender’s height and the registration number assigned by the jail. These are then included in the file of the offender.

How to Lookup Mugshots and Search for Booking Photos - TPI

How to Lookup Mugshots and Search for Booking Photos

<p>It&rsquo;s happened to everyone; you get a call late at night from a number you don&rsquo;t recognize, and you let it go to voicemail. Unfortunately they don&rsquo;t leave one, and you&rsquo;re left wondering whether you missed a call from someone important or just another scammer. 60% of all calls made in 2021 were linked to spam call centers, and calling a scammer back could result in dozens more calls coming in. Luckily, there is a simple way to check who called you: by running a reverse phone lookup.</p>

<h2>What is Reverse Phone Lookup?</h2>

<p>A reverse phone lookup allows you to see caller information using only their phone number. Depending on the search service you use, you can see valuable data like full legal name, current address, and other details. You can retrieve an unknown phone number from several sources, including a text, call, or a phone number you&rsquo;ve simply lost the name for. Reverse phone lookups work for residential, business, and cell phone numbers.</p>

<h2>How are Reverse Phone Searches Done?</h2>

<p>Looking online, it would seem there are several free options to getting a reverse phone search done. Unfortunately, many of these services do not offer accurate information and ask for personal information like your email address or phone number. Once they have your info, they&rsquo;ll flood your inbox with bogus offers without providing you with the details you need.</p>

<p>Once you find a trustworthy site, likely one that requires a small fee, you simply enter the full 10-digit phone number you&rsquo;ve retrieved and click search. Depending on the service you chose, you&rsquo;ll then be provided with a full report with the phone&#39;s identification information.</p>

<h2>What is Included in Phone Search Results?</h2>

<p>What you receive in your report depends on which third-party search service you choose. Make sure to read through what the service offers, and check closely to see whether they charge any monthly subscriptions, recurring fees, or minimum payments. If the service is offering high-quality data, you should be able to find details like:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Individual or company name</li>
	<li>Current address with area code</li>
	<li>Photos of the residence or business</li>
	<li>Type of phone</li>
</ul>

<h2>Why Is Reverse Phone Lookup Important?</h2>

<p>A reverse phone lookup can help you identify calls from unrecognized sources, allowing you to discern whether you need to return the call, ignore it, or block the number entirely. With the high volume of spam calls being received across the U.S., you want to avoid calling a scammer back at all costs.</p>

<p>You also may only have the phone number for a business or individual you need to contact, but not their name. Numbers get written down, papers get damaged, and it&#39;s easy to find yourself with 10 mysterious digits and no idea who or what is associated with them. With a reverse phone lookup, you can find out the person or company you need to contact in a matter of seconds.</p>

<h2>How to Spot a Fake Phone Number?</h2>

<p>Some reverse phone lookup services can help you identify whether a number is fake or from a false number; always check what features a service offers to see if phone validation is included. You can also search a phone number on google and see if a person or company comes up as its owner.</p>

<p>Occasionally a phone will be tied to social media accounts, which can also help you determine who called you from that number. If all else fails, you can call the number and see if anyone picks up. If the number is inactive, you can be certain you were called from a spoofed or faked line.</p>

<h2>Reverse Phone Lookup Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</h2>

<ul>
	<li>&nbsp;How Do I Block Spam Calls?</li>
</ul>

<p>If you receive a call from a spam or fake number, you can initially try blocking it. This will sometimes fix the problem, as some smaller scammers or call centers don&rsquo;t have the ability to continually spoof new fake numbers. Blocking a number will also show that you aren&rsquo;t likely to comply with a scam and therefore aren&rsquo;t worth their time. You can also register your number on the national Do Not Call List by calling 1-888-382-1222. This will put you on a government list making it illegal to call you with unwarranted solicitations. Unfortunately many scammers ignore this list, but it is worth a try.</p>

<ul>
	<li>&nbsp;Can I Track a Location with a Phone Number?</li>
</ul>

<p>Reverse phone lookup services will often offer location tracking as a feature, though they will only show you the general area the number owner is located within. Free services may give you inaccurate location data, so make sure to research your reverse phone lookup service closely before acting upon the provided information. For more accurate location tracking you would need to use a Find My Phone service, which usually only allows the owner of a phone to utilize tracking functionality.</p>

<ul>
	<li>&nbsp;How Can I Find Out Who Called Me?</li>
</ul>

<p>The best way to find out who called you is by using a reverse phone lookup service. By entering the phone number of the person or business who called you, you can see their full name, address, and the city they reside in. You can also try Googling the phone number, checking the phone book, or calling the number back, but these generally yield less useful results than a reverse phone lookup.</p>

<ul>
	<li>&nbsp;Is There a Public Phone Directory for Reverse Search?</li>
</ul>

<p>There are several public directories that contain phone numbers; reverse search services usually draw their data from these and other record databases. The issue with using a public phone directory is you have to manually search through each number. With a reverse phone lookup, this can be accomplished in seconds and yields information not generally included in a public directory.</p>

<ul>
	<li>&nbsp;Is Reverse Phone Lookup Legal?</li>
</ul>

<p>In most areas, a reverse phone lookup is 100% legal. There are currently no federal laws banning reverse phone lookups, though there may be restrictions if you are using the service in relation to your business. Certain terms of service establish specific guidelines related to callers or customer information, and a violation of these terms could result in fines or prohibit you from conducting business at all.</p>

<ul>
	<li>&nbsp;Is There a Free Reverse Phone Lookup Service?</li>
</ul>

<p>There are several free options that allow you to conduct a reverse phone lookup; unfortunately, many of these services require personal information in exchange for access to their search engine. Free services also rarely have access to the same high-level data as paid services, and you are very likely to get out-of-date or inaccurate information when you try your search.</p>

<ul>
	<li>&nbsp;What is Caller ID Spoofing?</li>
</ul>

<p>Phone spoofing involves a caller obscuring their identification through spoofing software, allowing them to appear as though they are calling from a recognizable phone number or area code. This is commonly used by scammers to get you to answer the phone, as most would simply ignore a number they did not recognize. These spoofers will sometimes choose numbers your phone frequently receives calls from like loved ones, coworkers, or neighbors. They can even spoof the numbers of government agencies to further establish trust.</p>

<ul>
	<li>&nbsp;Is Caller ID Spoofing Legal?</li>
</ul>

<p>According to the Truth in Caller ID Act, the Federal Communications Commision or FTC prohibits anyone from transmitting inaccurate or misleading caller identification information with the express intent to cause harm, defraud, or wrongly obtain anything of value from the called number. If someone is found guilty of illegally spoofing their caller ID they can face penalties of up to $10,000 for each individual violation.</p>

<p>There are perfectly legal reasons to spoof a phone number; one example is when spoof services are used by medical professionals. Some doctors or physicians may call a patient from their personal phone, but would rather that patient not have their contact information. In that case, they would use a spoofing service to appear as though they are calling from their office.</p>

<ul>
	<li>&nbsp;How Can I Find Out the Real Phone Number of a Fake Caller?</li>
</ul>

<p>If you believe you&rsquo;ve been called by a fake or spoofed number, you should first try to confirm their identity with a reverse phone lookup or phone number validator. These services have access to millions of phone numbers and associated identification data. You should also report the number if possible; the more people report the scam number the higher chance the call center can be located and shut down.</p>

<h2>What is the Best Reverse Phone Lookup Service?</h2>

<p>If you are looking for accurate and up-to-date information, the best reverse phone lookup search can be found on the Public Index. We provide our users with a comprehensive report on phone numbers, helping you find out the business or individual&rsquo;s name, address, and much more.</p>

<p>The Public Index can help you identify whether a call is coming from someone you want to call back, or if it&#39;s a scammer, someone you should ignore. There&rsquo;s no reason to search through endless directories to try to find out who called. Let us help you find them instantly; try the Public Index today!</p>

A reverse phone lookup allows you to see caller information using only their phone number. Depending on the search service you use, you can see valuable data like full legal name, current address, and other details.

Find Out Who Called With a Reverse Phone Lookup - TPI

Find Out Who Called With a Reverse Phone Lookup

<p>Buying or selling property requires paperwork for the government and the owner. Every aspect of a property transaction is documented from deeds to engineer reports on boundaries to mortgages. Laws requiring transparency in taxation mean most property records are public, based on purchase and sale information. Boundary documentation is also public and therefore must be available to those who are researching it.</p>

<h2>What are Property Records and What They Include?</h2>

<p>Property records include any document of a property&#39;s boundaries, value, and ownership. These are kept in public places such as city hall, the city clerk&#39;s office, the registry of deeds, or the county land office. As public documents, anyone may request the records. These records reveal a lot about the size and condition of the property and the financial health of the owner.</p>

<h2>Which Property Records are Public Records?</h2>

<p>A few documents related to property transactions are not public, such as the owner&#39;s mortgage application and other documents containing personal information. By law, most records that are included in the recording of a deed transaction are public, including:</p>

<ul>
	<li>The title reflects the historical chain of ownership.</li>
	<li>The boundaries of the property and whether they have changed.</li>
	<li>A property description that includes information about any additions or alterations.</li>
	<li>Any liens attached to the property for things like unpaid taxes due to the city or town.</li>
	<li>The property&#39;s tax history may reveal changes due to renovations or additions.</li>
</ul>

<p>Deeds are the documents that convey ownership, naming the grantor (seller) and grantee (buyer) and any conditions of the sale. There are three types of deeds:</p>

<ul>
	<li>A grant deed guarantees that the sale is by the legal owner and clear of encumbrances.</li>
	<li>A warranty deed protects the buyer (grantee) because it offers the same guarantees as a grant deed plus promises that the grantor (seller) will handle any challenges to the title.</li>
	<li>A quitclaim deed offers the least protection to the buyer and is most often used for property transfers within families, such as a spouse releasing their ownership stake during a divorce.</li>
</ul>

<h2>How to Calculate Property Tax and Average Tax in the USA</h2>

<p>Taxes are calculated on evaluations of individual properties. City or county officials called assessors visit properties periodically to review any changes or renovations. Square footage, condition, and use (residential, industrial, or commercial) are all part of this calculation which results in a figure called the assessed value. Then the assessed value is multiplied by the tax rate, resulting in the property tax amount.</p>

<p>If taxpayers disagree with the assessed value of their property, they may file an appeal for a re-evaluation. The local taxing authority must address each appeal for tax reduction, called an abatement. The records created during the process are public documents.</p>

<p>Property tax rates average around 1 percent of a property&#39;s value in the U.S. Each town or city sets its property tax rate. Be aware that a low tax rate doesn&#39;t mean the tax bills in that area are low because a low rate may reflect higher-than-average property values, such as in Hawaii, where the property tax rate is below .5 percent, but median property values there are among the highest in the country. This means property owners in Hawaii pay roughly an equivalent property tax to those in Minnesota, where the average property tax rate is 1.1 percent but where average property values are lower. Residents of both states pay an average of $1,600 per capita for property taxes. Outliers include the states of New York, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, where the average property tax per capita is around or above $3,000.</p>

<h2>What is a Registry of Deeds?</h2>

<p>Where and how land transfers are recorded differ a little from state to state and the local system of property records. In some states, property transactions are filed at the Registry of Deeds. This office is part of the county government. It retains the records created by property transactions in the county or geographical region.</p>

<p>A registry documents property transactions and is the place to research histories of boundaries and ownership to determine clear title, which is necessary for a successful sale. However, when researching a deed to determine clear title, the registry is not the only place to look.</p>

<h2>Can Judgments and Foreclosures be Part of Property Records?</h2>

<p>Judgment liens and foreclosures can be part of property records. Both are results of court decisions. If there is a judgment lien attached to the title to a property, it cannot be removed until the lien is paid, or the property is sold. The lien amount is taken from the sale price when the property is sold.</p>

<p>Buyers may not be aware that judgments against them, such as a civil court lawsuit decision, may be attached to property in the future. So, even if a property is not purchased until after the judgment is rendered, it can be attached to a property later.</p>

<h2>Explain Recorded vs. Registered Property Titles</h2>

<p>The majority of titles to land are recorded at the Registry of Deeds, which comes with a <em>caveat emptor: </em>it&rsquo;s up to the buyer or their agent to ensure the deed is clear from encumbrances and disputes before transferring ownership. The process of researching titles and deeds is why most people use qualified title agents to navigate the process. If a lien is not discovered and resolved as part of the sale process it can become the responsibility of the new property owner. This is why title insurance is required by most mortgage companies.</p>

<p>Registered properties are the domain of Land Court and fall under the Torrens system, which uses a numerical system to catalog properties and titles. Registered properties fall under Land Court jurisdiction because it has settled ownership or boundary disputes related to that property in the past.</p>

<h2>Are Mortgages Public Record?</h2>

<p>Public documents show the name of the mortgage company used to finance a property, but it&#39;s unlikely that the application sent by the homeowner is a public record. A mortgage is a type of voluntary lien that shows up in public records searches. If there are multiple mortgages or a particularly large mortgage on a property for sale, it&#39;s possible the owner is in financial trouble. Under such circumstances, the sale of the property may get tied up in a bankruptcy proceeding. Bankruptcy records are public documents.</p>

<h2>How to Check Lien on a Property</h2>

<p>Liens are recorded on property deed information. Liens can be any loan or obligation that can be attached to the property asset. These encumbrances are obstacles to selling the property because they must be satisfied to complete a sale. Paying off liens as part of a sale can complicate the process. The presence of liens can also indicate the property owner&#39;s financial health and willingness to negotiate the price. Liens are both voluntary and involuntary and can include:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Mechanics liens &ndash; this is a way of making the home a promissory note for work done to it such as a new roof, driveway, or windows. Mechanics liens are generally voluntary and released when payment is made in full.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>IRS liens &ndash; these involuntary liens are attached by the government for nonpayment of taxes.</li>
	<li>Judgment liens &ndash; these involuntary liens are attached by courts to compel individuals to pay sums awarded in legal cases.</li>
	<li>Child support liens &ndash; if an individual falls behind in child support payments, a lien may be attached to their property to ensure eventual payment. These are similar to judgment liens.</li>
	<li>Property tax liens take priority over all other forms of encumbrances. State and local governments attach these to compel the property owner to pay taxes owed.</li>
</ul>

<p>Along with the above liens, individuals should also check for things like town betterments (charges) for links to public water and sewer, outstanding utility bills, and unpaid balances for homeowner&rsquo;s association fees and related property improvements before taking ownership of a property.</p>

Property records include any document of a property's boundaries, value, and ownership. These are kept in public places such as city hall, the city clerk's office, the registry of deeds, or the county land office

Types of Property Records, Taxes, and Laws - TPI

Types of Property Records, Taxes, and Laws

<p>The requirements vary from state to state regarding information related to your driving records and whether they are open to the public if required with a valid reason. The 1994 Driver&rsquo;s Privacy Protection Act protects the disclosure of certain personal information, specifically your license, social security number, and home address. However, the rest of your driving information can be requested by the public at your local DMV. If you are concerned about your own driving records, explore below what driving records are and how you can check them for yourself.</p>

<h2>What are Driving Records?</h2>

<p>Driving records, also known as motor vehicle reports, are documents and files kept by the state DMV on every driver. They include several key pieces of information about your driving history. These include:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Your name, gender, and current address</li>
	<li>Driver&rsquo;s license number, driving classification, licensing status, and license expiration date</li>
	<li>Number of points on your license, DUI charges, traffic fines, driving suspensions, and driving revocations</li>
	<li>History of moving violations, convictions, and any driving related tickets</li>
	<li>Accident History</li>
</ul>

<p>Your driving record will not publicly list your non-moving violations or any criminal history unrelated to the operation of a motor vehicle.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>How to Check Driving Records By Yourself?</h2>

<p>Because the records are public, there are several ways you can get a copy of your driving record. The primary methods for doing so are through the DMV, third-party vendors, and auto insurance agents.</p>

<h3><em>Getting Driving Records Through the DMV in 5 Steps</em></h3>

<ol>
	<li><em>Make a Request: </em>The first step to getting your driving records through the DMV is to put in a request for an official driving record copy. This can be done by sending in a request online or via mail; you can also go in-person to your DMV to submit this request.</li>
	<li><em>Get Your Unofficial Copy: </em>If you decide to submit your request online you can receive an unofficial copy of your driving record early. For in-person and mail you will have to wait for the official copy, which may contain different information.</li>
	<li><em>Be Ready to Wait: </em>You can usually get an unofficial copy quickly, but your official copy will take several weeks to arrive. Unfortunately there is no way to expedite this process.</li>
	<li><em>Determine Payment Method: </em>Once you&rsquo;ve put in your request you&rsquo;ll need to determine how you will pay. This can be done with cash if done in person, cash or check if done by mail, and credit/debit card if done online.</li>
	<li><em>Pay the Fee: </em>The fee to request a driving record is usually between $10 and $30; check your local DMV website to see how much a driving records request fee will end up being.</li>
</ol>

<h3><em>Getting Driving Records Through Third-Party Vendors in 5 Steps</em></h3>

<ol>
	<li><em>Consider Your Timeline:</em> Third-party records search can often be a bit expensive, but they are the fastest way to get a copy of your driving records. This is the best option to choose if you need your driving record quickly and can&rsquo;t wait several weeks for it to come in the mail.</li>
	<li><em>Find a Service: </em>Search and compare different third-party driving records vendors to see who is highly rated and fits within your budget. Some services may offer subpar information, so make sure to research carefully.</li>
	<li><em>Request Record: </em>Once you&rsquo;ve selected a service, follow the instructions on their website to request your official driving record.</li>
	<li><em>Review Information: </em>Make sure to review the information given on this report, comparing it to any auxiliary documents you have pertaining to your driving history. If you see any inaccuracies, contact your service and ask for an updated report or refund.</li>
	<li><em>Make Sure it&#39;s Official: </em>You&rsquo;ll need to verify with your third-party vendor that the report you are receiving is official. Most reputable vendors will clearly list this at the top of your report; if they don&rsquo;t, that should be a huge red flag.</li>
</ol>

<h3><em>Getting Driving Records Through Auto Insurance Agents in 3 Steps</em></h3>

<ol>
	<li><em>Consider the Advantages: </em>When determining whether you should use an auto insurance agent, compare the advantages and disadvantages. You may get your copy a bit slower than a third-party service, but your report will be reviewed and provided for free by your auto insurance agent.</li>
	<li><em>Find an Auto Insurance Agent: </em>If you already have an auto insurance agent, all you need to do is contact them. If not, shop around and find an auto insurance agent that best meets your needs, making sure they provide driving records upon request.</li>
	<li><em>Request Your Copy: </em>Once you&rsquo;ve chosen an agent, you can request your copy. Depending on your agent this could be 100% free!</li>
</ol>

<h2>What is Included in Driving Records?</h2>

<p>Your driving record will have several key details about your driving history available to the public, including identification information, license information, driving infractions, moving violations, and accident history.</p>

<h3>Identification Information</h3>

<p>Certain pieces of identification information will be included on your driving record: these can include your full legal name, gender, and current address. What information is available does vary state-to-state, and some areas may not provide details about a driver&rsquo;s identity to the public.</p>

<h3>License Information</h3>

<p>This part of the report will be more extensive and feature personal details like your driver&rsquo;s license number. It will also show your driving classification with your letter designation when applicable. So if you have a Class A, Class B, Class C or any other designated license, your driving records will reflect that. Classifications are usually based on the weight of your vehicle; class a drivers, for example, usually drive large vehicles like semi-trucks or buses.</p>

<p><br />
Your records will also show your license status, and whether you are currently able to legally drive. This information includes how many points are on your license, whether you are a driver in good standing, whether your license is suspended or revoked, and whether it is expired. These suspensions and expirations can be based on the number of points currently represented on your license; not all states use this point system, and you can check your local DMV to see if the system is used in your area.</p>

<h3>Driving Infractions</h3>

<p>Your driving records will likely include a full history of your moving violations, traffic and driving-related convictions, and any driving-related tickets. Smaller offenses will stay on your record for a shorter amount of time; something like a speeding ticket, for example, will be on your record for three years, while a more severe charge like DUI can stay on for up to a decade.</p>

<h3>Moving Violations</h3>

<p>Your driving record will also have a history of any criminal charges that directly relate to the operation of a motor vehicle. These traffic offenses include:</p>

<table cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse:collapse; width:624px">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:312px">
			<ul>
				<li>Driving without a valid licenses</li>
				<li>Failing to yield</li>
				<li>Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol</li>
				<li>Not stopping for pedestrians</li>
				<li>Seat belt law violations</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
			<td style="vertical-align:top; width:312px">
			<ul>
				<li>Texting or calling while driving</li>
				<li>Exceeding the speed limit</li>
				<li>Running a stop sign or red light</li>
				<li>Failing to use turn signals</li>
				<li>Failing to keep proper distance between vehicles</li>
			</ul>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

<p>Any violations or convictions will be listed along with any current or past tickets on your vehicle. Again, the length of time each violation is visible depends on the severity of the crime and relevant laws of your state.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Accident History</h3>

<p>While not as comprehensive as a full accident history, the accident history on your driving records will likely show details about any recorded collisions and how it relates to your driving status. If an accident resulted in your license being suspended or an associated conviction, this information is usually available to the public.</p>

<h2>How to Clean Driving Records?</h2>

<p>It&#39;s always a good idea to keep your driving record clean by practicing defensive driving and being aware on the road. The better you drive, the cleaner your record will be. But accidents happen and a small mistake shouldn&#39;t ruin your record forever. There are several ways to clean your driving record:</p>

<ul>
	<li><em>Contest Tickets: </em>If you believe you have been ticketed without cause, or you can realistically explain the conditions that led to your actions, contesting tickets can be a great way to keep your records clean.</li>
	<li><em>Safe Driver Courses:</em> Safe driver courses are usually available for a nominal fee through state-certified organizations like AAA. These can help improve your chances of favorable outcomes in traffic court by showing the judge you are making an effort to improve your driving.</li>
	<li><em>Fix Ticket Cause: </em>If you have received a warning about something small like a broken tail light, make sure to get it fixed! Repairing a busted turn signal or malfunctioning headlight can be the difference between keeping your record clean and getting a hefty fine.</li>
	<li><em>Expunge Your Record: </em>Some states will offer provisions that allow you to expunge certain offenses from your driving record. Look at your local DMV or DOL website to see what criteria needs to be met and follow the instructions provided.</li>
</ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

Driving records, also known as motor vehicle reports, are documents and files kept by the state DMV on every driver. They include several key pieces of information about your driving history.

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