Private Eyes

Cannot find someone through the traditional journalistic methods? Many investigative companies offer license, social security number, criminal record and other searches -- though often for a steep fee.  This list does not in any way represent an endorsement of any company or its services.  Keep in  mind that some agencies may engage in practices that violate your company's journalistic principles or possibly even the law in your area. For  more information on finding people, see JNet's page on Spying on People

Directories of Investigators:

American agencies:

Canadian investigative agencies:

 And for backgrounding:

  • Internet Prospector     "Prospect researchers" try to find out as much as they can about folks, with the goal of figuring out how much they may be able to contribute to fund-raising. They might be able to help you do a background check
  • Prospector Backgrounder        Internet Prospector's three-part series on locating, backgrounding, and completing financial research on people
  • Company Records              Internet Prospector's guide to locating incorporation (and other) records in Canada