Home » Guides » Legal » Business Records » Address Search and Reverse Address Lookup

Featured Listings

 
Dave Chartock

Guide to Address Search

A little effort on address search can beat fraud and wasted mailing.

By Dave Chartock, Consultant and Sr. Writer, Information Resources

Address verification can save you a lot of time and headaches. You can verify addresses and phone numbers of customers, credit card users and even prospective employees through an address search (often called “reverse address lookup” or “reverse address search” if you start your search with the address). Some address search can be done for free, some address lookup requires the assistance of your credit-card merchant bank and some can be done with computer software or via reverse address lookup paid services.  Among the uses of address search:
  1. Combat fraud by a reverse address lookup of potential clients.
  2. Protect against a bad hire by reverse address search using the address of a job applicant
  3. Ensure correct mailing lists to promote your business by regular address search.  
  4. Improve collections by eliminating returned mail through address lookup.  

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done


Go for free address search first

There are free Internet sites that verify addresses and/or phone numbers.
I recommend: Run an address search or phone number search at  U.S Postal Service, WhitePages, Switchboard or AddressDoctor, which offers 250 free transactions. Many free services act as gateways to paid address search services that will do more extensive checks for arrest or court records.

Use your merchant account for address lookup

Most credit-card companies offer merchants online Address Verification Systems (AVS). AVS can run an address search on cardholders’ billing addresses at no cost to the merchant. It can save merchants the cost of purchasing software, help combat fraud, and check customer billing addresses for shipping.
I recommend: Open a merchant account at Chase Paymentec, Visa, Barclaycard Business, SecureTrading or Infomerchant.

Buy verification software for reverse address lookup

Reverse address search software can do more than check addresses. It also can perform postal presorting and detect duplicate addresses and/or names, which can save money by cutting down on wasted mailings and postage.
I recommend: Purchase reverse address search and verification software from Satori Software, Intelligent Choice Technology, Intelius or Capscan.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • Save time and money by doing an address search the first time.
  • Use the appropriate means of address verification for their specified purpose. For example, if it is for direct mail or billing efforts, try one of the software programs. If it is for a credit card, check with your merchant bank or the specific credit-card site.

The official source of Address Search is the Address Search page at Business.com

More Featured Listings
Company Address Search: Dun & Bradstreet®
Get Unlimited Access to Company Information for All US Businesses. Search by Address & Build Lists. Free 7-Day Trial.
Free Trial | Learn More | Company Profile
www.selectory.com
Find Any Number - $4.95
Find current unlisted numbers, address history, birthdates. Find Anyone. Start searching now!
Property Report | Background Check
phone-number.intelius.com
IBM LotusLive iNotes
Explore New Web-based Email Service & Gain a Rich Webmail Experience with IBM. Download the No-Cost Trial.
Download Trial
www.LotusLive.com/iNotes
Email Search Software Resources
Find Email Search Software. Search listings and reviews of retailers, specialists and services in your local area now.
JustClickLocal.com
Related Resources

Recommended Solution Providers

QAS: Address Verification
Addresses can be taken faster, leading to higher call turnover and contact center efficiency. Address verification against the U.S. Postal Service® (USPS®) data file, down to Apt/Suite level. Enjoy better data integrity, decrease in address correction charges and reductions in returned mail.

Accurint: Accurate Information
Get the latest and most accurate address information here.

Public Records: Address Finder
Use public records resources to find court and criminal public records, property records, marriage and divorce records, birth and death records, and business information.

How To Investigate: Address Finder
Use this service to find last known addresses and other relevant information.

US Search: Information Search
Find the addresses you need using this service.

Search Systems: Public Records
Use this resource to find addresses, business information, corporate filings, property records, deeds, mortgages, criminal and civil court filings, inmates, offenders, births, deaths, marriages, unclaimed property, and professional licenses.

Pasasec: Records Retrieval Services
Find everything you need from public records to addresses, this service provides timely and accurate information for your small business.

Best Sites to Learn More

Virtual Chase: Background Check
Get advice and tips about address search service and determine which one best suits your small business.

How To Investigate: Search Databases
Use this overview of search methods and determine which one is right for your small business to find that elusive address.



FEATURED LISTINGS
Company Address Search: Dun & Bradstreet®
Get Unlimited Access to Company Information for All US Businesses. Search by Address & Build Lists. Free 7-Day Trial.
www.selectory.com
Find Any Number - $4.95
Find current unlisted numbers, address history, birthdates. Find Anyone. Start searching now!
phone-number.intelius.com
IBM LotusLive iNotes
Explore New Web-based Email Service & Gain a Rich Webmail Experience with IBM. Download the No-Cost Trial.
www.LotusLive.com/iNotes
Email Search Software Resources
Find Email Search Software. Search listings and reviews of retailers, specialists and services in your local area now.
JustClickLocal.com

What WorksTM for Business Records

Daniel Kehrer

Improving Your Collections

 By Daniel Kehrer, Editor, Business.com & Work.com
Better invoices, dunning letters and agencies can help you collect more cash
In today's troubled economy, late or unpaid invoices are a fact of life for any business that doesn't collect in full upfront. But there's much a business can do to head off trouble before it starts, or to speed up payments. The key is to create a clear collections process at your business. It starts by making smart credit-granting decisions in the first place. "But I don't grant credit!" you may protest. ... Read more

Related Topics

Free B2B search marketing whitepaper, B2B Search Marketing Strategy Guide: Advice From the Pros.
Download

To advertise on Business.com, click here
Business.com Home | Advertise With Business.com | Advertiser Login | Business Categories | Legal Guides | Jobs | Affiliate Program | About Business.com
© 2009 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy | Terms Of Use | Help | Business How To Guides
Business.com SMART BUSINESS RESULTS ™