California Private Investigator Practice Exam

What is the best method for locating someone with a forwarding address?

1. Contact local law enforcement

2. Visit their last known address

3. Search online databases

4. Contact the US Postal Service

The correct answer is: Contact the US Postal Service

The best method for locating someone with a forwarding address is to contact the US Postal Service. When someone moves and sets up a forwarding address, they typically notify the Postal Service to ensure that their mail is redirected to their new location. By reaching out to the Postal Service, you can request information regarding the forwarding address, assuming you have a legitimate reason for wanting to locate the individual, as strict privacy regulations apply. While visiting their last known address might provide some insights, it may not yield current information if the person has already moved. Searching online databases could potentially lead to leads, but these databases often rely on public records that may not be up to date. Contacting local law enforcement may not be relevant, as they typically do not assist in finding individuals unless there is a legal case or concern. Each of these alternatives may have limitations, but contacting the Postal Service directly offers the most reliable route when trying to find someone who has established a forwarding address.