Go to our homepage - www.1stlocate.co.uk the UK's leading people finder
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
People finder services
Q. Why use 1st Locate, why not just use the search resources on the web?
A. You might get lucky and find what or who you are looking for by using some of the resources available on the web. However, finding a name and address is one thing, locating & confirming that it is the correct person, still in residence is something you will only get with our Full Trace product. Much of the time, we are tracing individuals from very limited information. Imagine we are asked to trace a John Smith in London. Web searches may give you a list of 300. How will you confirm which is the correct one. 1st Locate have a wealth of experience in this area, making it our business to trace the correct person and confirm they are still in residence - all for £19.99.
Q. I want my Father traced. I haven't seen him for 30 years and am worried about his reaction and the impact on his current life.
A. We are very discrete in our trace enquiries and when making contact with the subject of our trace. We will act as intermediaries in cases where there are family problems or estrangements, making sure that both parties want contact before we release address details. In cases where one party is hesitant, we will relay phone messages and mail.
Q. I want my sister traced but she has a name that is numerous and may have married.
A. We will do our best to trace all instructions. Where details are sparse, we are still often able to make progress and establish the subject's whereabouts. You have nothing to lose by instructing us. If we don't find them, you don't pay.
Q. What's a name search
A. Name searches will produce a list of names and addresses to your search criteria. If for instance you specify Peter Jones, countrywide then this may produce a list of 200 names and addresses. However, if you specify a more unusual name or a specific locality such as County or town or village then this will cut down the number of results considerably.
Once we have produced the name search results for you, we will email you the file of results and take payment of £7.50. This service is best suited to those persons that wish to undertake some of their own enquiries.
Q. What's a Full Trace.
A. Our Full trace service will find a specific trace subject, make contact and confirm that the person wishes to receive contact from the person instructing us. We will accept instructions even with the most basic details. If we need further information, we will contact you by phone or email.
If the person we are tracing does not want contact or is initially reluctant, we act as intermediaries or go-betweens. To instruct a Full Trace, click the order a full trace link in the main section. If you need to trace someone without them being aware, order a Full trace - No Contact but please tell us why there can't be any contact.
Q. How long will a Full Trace take?
A. Sometimes, we can trace and confirm all details within 24 hours. Other times, this may take us a month. Whichever result, we will not stop looking until we find the person, even if this takes us 6 months or becomes commercially unviable. Our systems will hold all trace requests and periodically search for updated information. Don't be surprised if we initially contact you and state our preliminary enquiries are negative only to re-approach you 3 or 4 weeks later with a positive result.
Q. How are you able to limit your trace fees to £19.99 - success only?
A. We are one of the largest people finders in the UK using the latest in sophisticated call centre telephony and bespoke computer systems. As a consequence, we are able to operate very efficiently. We limit our fees to £19.99 in order to give our clients a guaranteed price with no hidden extras irrespective of the costs that we incur when we trace a subject on your behalf. Some we win, some we lose. We fully recognise the importance of each individual instruction we receive and will make our best effort to ensure a positive outcome, even if we lose money on a particular instruction.
Q. Are there any licensing requirements for your type of business.
A. Some activities require licensing. We are licensed under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 issued by the Office of Fair Trading and hold a Data Protection Registration issued by the Data Protection Registrar. We are also full members of the Credit Services Association which maintains a strict code of conduct and requires members to demonstrate their suitability and solvency. We also maintain appropriate levels of Professional Indemnity and Insurance covers.
Q. What about my own personal details?
A. We will not release, sell or lease your contact details to any other organisation. We may from time to time send you an email regarding our products and services unless you instruct us otherwise. As our clients, your instructions remain totally confidential.
Q. I want to get maximum publicity for my message relating to a missing relative or friend. How do I achieve this?
A. You can post to our message board free of charge. We may even pick your message out and assist you. You should also post a message on www.peopletrace.com
Q. when can we expect to see some other free resources on the 1st Locate web site?
A. We are hoping to bring you some more free services early in the New Year.
Q. How do I get my money back if you are unsuccessful with my name search or full trace?
A. We automatically refund you payment in the event of the full trace services resulting in a negative trace. Obviously, a full trace is an investigation and we need a little time to complete our enquiries. However, you can request a refund at any point (providing we have not yet found the person). If you have sent us a cheque as payment then phone or email us and we will refund straight away. For full trace's you need to give us a little time to complete our investigations but nevertheless, we will close the case and refund you whenever you want (obviously providing we haven't finished the case with a positive result already). For full trace products there is also the option to purchase the negative report in the event we are unsuccessful - this details all of the steps we have taken to trace the subject.
Q. What does a Property search get me?
A. For £12.95, we will identify if there is a Title and if so, you will receive the property registered title number, the owner's name and address, details of mortgages (not value) and charges, restrictions and in many cases the purchase price of the property. (England & Wales only). You will receive an official copy of the title register. Searches in Scotland are charged at £29.99 and provide additional information including a title plan where registered on the Scottish Land Register.
If the property is not registered, then there is no charge.
Q. Why would I want this information?
A. You may want to get in contact with the owner (particularly relevant where the property is not lived in) or you might be considering purchasing the property and want to know how much it sold for previously or identify the extent of the property, covenants, restrictions, etc.
Q. What will I get with the Company Director search?
A. We will supply you with a list of the directors names, addresses and other statutory information for any Limited Company in England & Wales.
Q. Why would I want this information?
A. You may have experienced problems with a particular Company and might want to contact the Directors independently of the normal channels.
We can also supply you with the Directors other interests and Directorships in other companies if required.
If we can't find any information, then there is no charge.
Q. How can I find out who lives at a particular address in the UK?
A. Purchase a subscription to Locate GB. It covers the 2004, 2005, 2006 and soon the 2007 electoral roll will be added. Great value from £7.50 for 7 days unlimited access. Go to www.locategb.com
Q Is there another way I can order your products as I don't have a credit or debit card or am worried about giving my credit card details out?
A. Firstly, you shouldn't be worried about using your credit card as our online ordering facility is totally secure. No one can see your details and your card number is not transmitted by email. However, if you want to pay by alternative means, just print out the order form and send a cheque.
Q I'm concerned that the internet can create an illusion that a company is bigger than they actually are. Are you a genuine company and can you back up your claims to be one of the UK's leading people finder organisations.
A. We appreciate your concern. It is easy to portray an image over the internet that a company is big and successful. Many in fact are just one or two people working from serviced office accomodation or anonymous PO box numbers. We have undertaken a study of a number of our perceived competitors as we had hoped to acquire a few of these smaller companies. Alarmingly, a number of these have negative net worth shown on their balance sheets together with zero or negative profitability.
However, our credentials are as follows:
We are fully filed and up to date with our statutory returns and accounts with Companies House. We meet the requirements of the Credit Services Association in terms of eligibility for membership and solvency.
We have a positive balance sheet and are consistently profitable. A simple search of Companies House will establish that we are considerably larger than many, if not all of our immediate competitors on the internet.
We are continuing to grow turnover, profitability and net worth. For example, our turnover is now around £4 million.
We employ approximately 100 staff, operate from 2 office locations and service many thousands of consumers and large corporate clients such as Banks and Utility companies. We welcome visitors to our office premises in Leeds and accept orders over the internet, phone, fax or in person. Corporate clients using our services on a regular basis are welcome to open an account with us.
You can now order a trace for debt recovery purposes by going to our secure ordering area. For more information on debt recovery services visit www.1stlocate.com or www.better-by-design.co.uk
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If you have an other questions, please email us at General Enquiries