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The following article was published in Pursuit Magazine, a periodical for educating private investigators.

https://pursuitmag.com/unmasking-the-harasser-how-modern-investigation-tools-crack-the-code-on-burner-phones/

Private investigation has always been about keen observation, deductive reasoning, and following the breadcrumbs left by folks who think they’re clever enough to evade detection. In today’s world, however, the power of technology and data can uncover hidden trails that would have been impossible to chase just a few years ago.

Recently, I was involved in a case that highlighted how powerful modern marketing data tools can be when cross-referenced with other information. The case involved a man harassing a client using a burner phone — a device typically considered difficult to trace. But despite his attempts at anonymity, we were able to crack his disguise and unravel his entire life story.

A client approached me, distressed after receiving several anonymous calls and messages from a number she couldn’t trace. The calls weren’t just bothersome; they were threatening. The client suspected it was a man she had encountered in the past, but without solid proof, it was difficult to proceed with legal action. The harasser was using a burner phone, which usually means they’re trying to stay off the radar.

Traditionally, tracking someone through a burner phone would be a longshot. But with the advancement of data tools, I knew we stood a solid chance to crack this case.

I began by entering the burner phone number into a people search website. (There are several powerful databases — TruePeopleSearch.com or FastPeopleSearch.com — that aggregate and cross-reference marketing and public data.) To my surprise, the tool linked the burner number to another number, suggesting it had been associated with the harasser’s primary phone at some point. This connection was the first crack in his wall of anonymity. From that single link, I was able to dig deeper into other sources of data.

Once I had the primary phone number, a flood of information opened up. These websites can pull up linked data that reveals not just names and addresses, but an individual’s entire address history. From the harasser’s real phone number, I accessed information that showed every location he had lived at in the past decade. The depth of the information was astonishing, complete with the names and phone numbers of every person who had shared those addresses with him during that time.

What was even more revealing was cross-referencing his address history with other individuals. From the data, I was able to track down his parents, siblings, and even some extended family members. I uncovered their addresses, phone numbers, and other personal information such as dates of birth and even social media profiles. These tools paint a shockingly clear picture of someone’s personal life, which made it easy to begin understanding the broader network around the harasser.

One particularly interesting discovery was that the man had recently changed jobs, but the data still carried his old employment information. With a few more cross-references, I was able to determine where he currently worked. This was crucial because contacting his employer was one of the steps we could take to bring the harassment to a stop. At this point, I had built an extensive dossier on the man, going far beyond just identifying him. I had a clear map of his entire personal and professional life, all from what began as a burner phone number.

In this case, the power of data was enough to confront the man directly with his real identity, but we chose a more indirect approach. While the idea of contacting his family or employer directly was tempting, it often isn’t the best course of action. As a professional, I don’t recommend clients take matters into their own hands by reaching out to a harasser’s family or workplace, especially in cases where a person could retaliate or escalate.

Instead, I advised the client to work with legal authorities using the information we had gathered. By presenting the evidence we collected, including the detailed tracking of his identity, address history, and family connections, we were able to build a strong case. Authorities contacted the harasser with a clear message that they knew exactly who he was and that his actions would have serious consequences if they continued. In this case, the pressure was enough to stop the harassment without further escalation.

This case isn’t unique. Several colleagues of mine have used the same investigative techniques in a variety of cases, from stalking to fraud investigations. The real takeaway here is how much the landscape of private investigation has changed with the advent of cross-referenced data. What would have been an impossible task a decade ago — tracing a burner phone to an individual — can now be done in a matter of hours with the right tools.

One of the most fascinating aspects of using people search websites in investigations is how seamlessly they connect the dots among phone numbers, addresses, and personal details. A phone number is often linked to an address or a name, along with an age. These tools allow you to see when a phone number was associated with an address, which helps in creating a timeline. If the suspect switched numbers, you can still track the person as long as their name or address shows up. Clicking through these connections, you can trace not only where a person lived but also the people they lived with, often mapping out their entire life — including their siblings’ movements, family ties, and work history. In many cases, even a basic Google search of a name, age, and location can reveal even more, such as a LinkedIn profile or other public information, further filling in the blanks of the investigation.

As private investigators, we must always balance the power of these tools with ethical considerations. It’s tempting to push the boundaries of what can be done with such comprehensive data, but we need to ensure that it’s used in a responsible and professional manner. In this case, data revealed everything we needed to build a case against the man, but stopping the harassment in a lawful, controlled way was the best outcome for everyone involved.

Ultimately, modern data tools have become an invaluable asset in private investigations. While burner phones were once a shield for anonymity, today they are just another thread that can be pulled to unravel an individual’s hidden identity. And as the technology continues to evolve, so too will our ability to protect clients and bring those who harass them to justice.