How To Track Someone Down

Looking For Someone?

Use their Name, Phone Number, Email, or Address to find information.

NameEmailPhoneAddress

There are several reasons why you might need to track someone down. You may have lost touch with an old friend and want to get back in touch.

You may be trying to find a relative whom you’ve never met. You may be a private investigator hired to track down a person for whatever reason. 

In this article, we will share some ways on how you can track someone down.

Can I Really Track Someone Down?

You can absolutely track someone you need to find from social media, public databases, or old fashion sleuth work. Knowing your options is essential to maximize your chances of finding your person.

There are many ways to track a person down. All of which involve a little bit of resourcefulness and perseverance. 

Different Ways to Track Someone Down

Social Media

Social media is a great place to start if you’re trying to find someone. With billions of people using platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, the chances of finding someone are pretty good. 

And, thanks to how social media works, you can often find people you wouldn’t be able to see through other channels.

For example, if you’re looking for an old friend from high school, a quick search on Facebook might turn up their current address and phone number.

Or, if you’re trying to find a lost relative, a Twitter or Instagram search might reveal some clues as to their whereabouts. 

Facebook

While it’s only sometimes possible to find someone on Facebook, you can do a few things to increase your chances of success. 

First, try searching for the person’s name. If that doesn’t work, try looking for mutual friends to help you get in touch.

You can also try using Facebook’s “People You May Know” feature, which uses algorithms to suggest potential friends based on things like mutual friends and shared interests. 

Finally, you can always contact Facebook’s customer support team for help if all else fails. 

Linkedin

There are a few different ways to find someone on LinkedIn. The first place to start is the search bar. Try entering the person’s name, company, or location.

If that doesn’t yield any results, try clicking on the “People” tab and selecting “Advanced Search.” It will give you more options for narrowing down your search. 

You can also try searching for groups that the person might be a part of or looking at the “Companies” tab to see if the person is listed as working for a specific company.

If you still need help tracking someone down, you can always reach out to mutual connections and see if they can put you in touch. 

Search engines

Looking For Someone?

Use their Name, Phone Number, Email, or Address to find information.

NameEmailPhoneAddress

Tracking someone down using search engines is pretty straightforward. 

The first step is to enter the person’s name into a search engine like Google. Then, click on the “News” tab.

It will bring up any recent news stories that mention the person you’re looking for. If there are no current news stories, try clicking on the “Images” tab to show any pictures that the person published. 

Once you find a picture, you can use a reverse image search engine like TinEye to see where the photo was originally published. It can give you some clues about the person’s whereabouts. 

Phone books and White pages

In today’s age of technology, it can be easy to forget that sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. If you need to track someone down, phone books and white pages can be helpful resources. 

While most people nowadays use cell phones, landlines are still fairly common, especially for businesses. Simply looking up the person or company’s name in the phone book will give you their phone number.

From there, you can use reverse phone lookup tools to find out their address and other information. 

White pages work similarly, although they may include additional information, such as email addresses.

So if you’re looking for someone and need help figuring out where to start, try using the old-fashioned method of looking them up in the phone book. You might be surprised at how effective it can be.

Cellphones

In today’s world, almost everyone has a cell phone. And it’s good to know that you can use your cell phone to track someone down.

If you have their phone number, there are a few different ways to go about it.

GPS Location Markers

Having access to the person’s cell phone allows you to use GPS location markers to track their movements. 

There are a few different ways to do this, but the most common is to use Google Maps. Open up the app and enter the person’s phone number.

It will show a map with their current location. You can also use this method to track down a lost or stolen phone.

Tracking Plan or App

If you suspect the person you’re looking for is up to no good, you might consider using a tracking plan or app. There are a few different options available, but they all work similarly.

You’ll need to install the app on the person’s phone, and then you’ll be able to track their location and see their activity. It can be a helpful way to keep an eye on someone without them knowing.

Check-Ins

Another way to use your cellphone to track someone down is to check their recent check-ins.

Most social media apps, such as Facebook and Foursquare, allow users to check in to their current location.

So if you’re looking for someone, try checking their recent check-ins to see where they’ve been. 

Carrier Lookups

If you have the person’s phone number but can’t find anything else, you might consider doing a carrier lookup.

It will give you the name of the person’s cell phone carrier, which can help track them down.

Once you have the carrier’s name, you can usually find their address and other information on the carrier’s website.

Private Investigator

You may need to find a court case witness or locate someone who owes you money. Whatever the reason, if you don’t have the time or resources to track down somebody yourself, consider hiring a private investigator. 

Private investigators are professionals who specialize in finding people. They have access to databases and resources that most people don’t, and they know how to conduct a thorough search.

In addition, they’re experienced in dealing with complex cases and can often find people who are hiding or have moved without a trace. 

Collecting Information on the Person

Last contact information of the person

When trying to find someone, the first step is gathering all your information on that person. It includes anything you know about their last known whereabouts and other relevant information. 

Once you understand what you know, you can start your search by reaching out to their last known contact information. It could be an old address, phone number, or email address. 

Note the person’s employer

One of the best ways to collect information on a person is to try and find out their employer. It can be difficult, but if you can find this information, it can be beneficial. 

Employers usually have a lot of information on their employees, including contact information, work history, and sometimes even personal information. It can be a great way to get in touch with someone or to find out more about them. 

Even if you cannot find the person’s employer, it is still worth trying to find their last employer. It can give you valuable information about the person and their work history.

Get in touch with acquaintances of the person

One way to try to find a person is to reach out to their acquaintances. These people may know the person better and have information about where they are now.

It can be helpful to talk to these people to see if they can give clues about the person’s current whereabouts.

Sometimes, people are hesitant to talk to strangers, so it is essential to be respectful and tactful when approaching potential sources of information.

However, if you are polite and explain your situation, most people will be happy to help however they can.

Search for relatives of the person

If you know the name of any person’s relatives, you can try searching for them online or through public records.

You can also find contact information for relatives by searching through the person’s social media accounts or online profiles. 

If you cannot find any relatives of the person you are searching for, you can try contacting any close friends or acquaintances they may have.

How Can I Track Down Someone for Free?

You can track someone down for free with social media and some old-fashioned research. With social media being such a popular part of our lives, more and more people are becoming easy to find.

Another way to track someone down for free is to use public records. Public records are an excellent resource for finding information on just about anyone. You can access public records through your local courthouse or online. 

When searching for someone using public records, you’ll want to start with a basic search and then narrow it down as you find more information.

Finally, remember the good old-fashioned word of mouth. If you’re trying to track down someone, chances are somebody else knows where they are.

Talk to your friends and see if anyone has any information on the person you’re looking for. You might be surprised at what you find.

Can You Track Down Someone’s Location by Phone Number?

The answer is yes, but there are a few caveats.

First, it’s important to note that you can only track down the location of a mobile phone – landlines are not traceable in this way.

Secondly, you’ll need to have the cooperation of the person whose phone you’re trying to track. You could be breaking the law if they have yet to give you their permission.

You can track down someone’s location by phone number, but only if you have their permission and if they’re using a mobile phone.

Conclusion

There are several ways that you can go about tracking someone down. Social media, search engines, and phone books can help find someone. 

You can also access databases that will give you information on where someone is located if they are in prison.

Some apps allow you to track their location via GPS if you have the person’s consent. You can also put a tracking device on their car or person if they agree. 

Remember, the best way to find someone will depend on the situation and the available resources.


bryan rucker
Written by Brian Williams

Brian is an expert in security, privacy, and information. He has studied background checks, criminal, people search, and such topics over the last 5 years. He is also an avid writer and enjoys sharing his knowledge through this blog. Read more of Brian's articles.