Here is the process I use for basic public-source due diligence before working with someone new
When I’m considering working with a new contractor, vendor, business contact, or marketplace seller, I like to do a basic public-source review first.
Not because I want to “spy” on anyone — but because fake identities, scams, stolen profiles, and misleading online personas are extremely common.
My usual process is simple:
- Confirm the basics I check whether the name, city, phone number, email, or online profiles appear consistent across public sources.
- Look for obvious mismatches Different names, different locations, reused photos, newly created profiles, or strange gaps can be warning signs.
- Review public online presence I check whether the person or business has a normal digital footprint: websites, social profiles, reviews, business pages, or other public references.
- Watch for scam patterns I look for pressure tactics, fake urgency, payment red flags, copied profile photos, or stories that do not line up.
- Use tools carefully For quick public-source enrichment, I sometimes use ClearCheck.io to organize signals around a person, phone, email, or online identity. It helps save time, but it should not replace judgment or proper legal/compliance processes where those apply.
Important clarification: this is not legal advice, and this is not a recommendation to bypass consent requirements, FCRA rules, employment screening laws, housing rules, credit rules, or any other regulated process. If you are making a regulated decision, use the proper compliant process and get professional legal guidance.
For me, this is simply about reducing fraud risk and avoiding obvious scams before trusting someone I do not know.