March 9, 2020 / by Marcy Phelps / Due diligence / 0 comments
In looking over past blog posts, I’ve realized that I frequently write about due diligence, but I’ve never really explained what it is. Also, judging by the questions I get, there are lots of misconceptions about what it really is, what it’s used for, and why someone would bother taking this step. So, what follows […]
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Confirming what you know and finding what you don't
What sources do I use for searching news?
March 23, 2020 / by Marcy Phelps / Information sources, Search tools / 0 comments
I’m frequently asked about what I use for news searching, so I thought I’d share my sources and why they’re so important to my investigations. Note that these include free and fee-based sources, because – with online information – you definitely get what you pay for. You can’t do a thorough job with just free. […]
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What is due diligence?
March 9, 2020 / by Marcy Phelps / Due diligence / 0 comments
In looking over past blog posts, I’ve realized that I frequently write about due diligence, but I’ve never really explained what it is. Also, judging by the questions I get, there are lots of misconceptions about what it really is, what it’s used for, and why someone would bother taking this step. So, what follows […]
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Searching online public records – How to prepare
February 24, 2020 / by Marcy Phelps / Information skills, Tips/Techniques / 0 comments
Searching public records such as corporation filings, recorded documents, and court records can be the most challenging type of online research – even for the professionals. I’ve been searching online information for more than 20 years, and public records never cease to amaze me. No uniformity among jurisdictions, missing records, clunky search tools, and other […]
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After the background investigation: What’s next?
February 10, 2020 / by Marcy Phelps / Due diligence / 0 comments
You’ve finally completed the due diligence background investigation. You’ve gathered your findings, analyzed the results, and written and sent your report. Time to cross this one off your to-do list and bask in that wonderful feeling of a job well-done. Or maybe not – because due diligence background investigations don’t end here. What else could […]
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Time for a change: Google alternatives
January 27, 2020 / by Marcy Phelps / Search tools / 2 comments
Looking back at some blog statistics, it seems that readers can’t get enough of Google alternatives. Google is great, and – I must admit – it’s my usual starting point. But Google has its limitations, and sometimes we need more. Maybe it’s more privacy. Perhaps you need something more specialized. Or maybe you’re frustrated with […]
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Why it pays to pay for online information
January 13, 2020 / by Marcy Phelps / Information sources / 2 comments
If you read this blog, you know that I frequently advise others to conduct a background investigation on themselves. It pays to know what others find when they search for your name on Google or another search engine. But what if the news isn’t good? What if, among your results, you discover information that you […]
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What I learned in 2019
January 1, 2020 / by Marcy Phelps / Odds & Ends / 2 comments
Happy New Year to all! I’ve always loved this time of year. Days start getting longer, there’s optimism in the air, and it offers an opportunity for a fresh start. I also like to reflect on the past year and lessons learned. 2019 was full of surprises, and it had its ups and downs – […]
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Top post: Conduct a background check on yourself – It’s worth it
December 11, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Due diligence, Tips/Techniques / 1 comment
This post was originally published in May 2018. Have you ever run a background check on yourself? I’m not talking about just googling your name. I’m talking about checking court and other public records, news, and even social media, and taking a deeper dive into your digital footprint to see what others might find out […]
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Top post: Questions to ask before starting an investigation
November 27, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Investigative business / 0 comments
I’m busy with holidays, client work, and completing a big new project (watch for announcements), so I’ll be running some oldies-but-goodies for the next month or so. Enjoy this one, originally published in March 2019. No matter the type of research or investigations that you do, it’s important to prepare. Before you start your interviews, […]
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20 years later: Mistakes and lessons learned
November 13, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Information industry, Investigative business / 0 comments
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 20 years since that fateful email message – the one that changed my career. At the time, I was in grad school, about to earn a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science. I was working two part-time library jobs, and one thing I learned from both jobs […]
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