Hiding from a stalker

virgil · Post by **virgil** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:31 am

I have a friend who is trying to make sure a parent doesn't know where they live (currently living with someone else at their home). There is something they want to do that requires a background check and/or credit check, specifically applying for occupancy at an apartment; not leasing, but they'll be staying at the apartment often enough for the lease to want to consider them an occupant, and thus filling out the application. This is Texas, for those who are aware of any eccentricities.

Can the parent, through a background check or something, find out about this background check and trace its location?

Josh_Kablack · Post by **Josh_Kablack** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:38 am

No idea, and I am not a lawyer, but if the hiding is justified, that friend should strongly consider getting a restraining order.

virgil · Post by **virgil** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:47 am

A restraining order will give the person information about their location, and they only need to break it once...

Cynic · Post by **Cynic** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:04 am

If the parent is savvy enough, sure. If not, if they hire someone savvy enough. easily. The cheapest method of doing this would be going to a bail bondsman offering them 50$ and ask them to locate someone's address.

Whatever · Post by **Whatever** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:10 am

virgil wrote:A restraining order will give the person information about their location, and they only need to break it once...

Your friend can just put a PO Box as their address when they file the restraining order, that part is only to allow service of process. The order itself can just instruct the parent to stay 50/100/whatever yards away from the child, it doesn't have to specify that they also stay away from a particular home or workplace (it can, but need not).

Or at least that's how it works in California, Texas may be different.

virgil · Post by **virgil** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:20 am

Whatever wrote:
virgil wrote:A restraining order will give the person information about their location, and they only need to break it once...
Your friend can just put a PO Box as their address when they file the restraining order, that part is only to allow service of process. The order itself can just instruct the parent to stay 50/100/whatever yards away from the child, it doesn't have to specify that they also stay away from a particular home or workplace (it can, but need not).

That doesn't solve the problem though. If the application creates a 'ding' that can be traced, then a restraining order will not be of any help if they decide to ignore it.

RadiantPhoenix · Post by **RadiantPhoenix** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 4:53 am

I am filled with a morbid curiosity, but...

Whatever · Post by **Whatever** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 5:22 am

virgil wrote:
Whatever wrote:
virgil wrote:A restraining order will give the person information about their location, and they only need to break it once...
Your friend can just put a PO Box as their address when they file the restraining order, that part is only to allow service of process. The order itself can just instruct the parent to stay 50/100/whatever yards away from the child, it doesn't have to specify that they also stay away from a particular home or workplace (it can, but need not).
That doesn't solve the problem though. If the application creates a 'ding' that can be traced, then a restraining order will not be of any help if they decide to ignore it.

I don't know enough about those kinds of applications/background checks to say. But if the situation warrants a restraining order, it's still a good idea to get one. It makes it a whole lot easier to involve the police, for example.

PoliteNewb · Post by **PoliteNewb** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 5:36 am

Cynic wrote:If the parent is savvy enough, sure. If not, if they hire someone savvy enough. easily. The cheapest method of doing this would be going to a bail bondsman offering them 50$ and ask them to locate someone's address.

Curious...is that legal? I would have thought there was some legal restriction on who bail bondsmen are allowed to track down (namely, people who have skipped out on bail).

I mean, anyone can attempt to track down anyone, using public records and internet accessible information...I've done it myself for a previous job. But I don't think I'd be able to turn up a background check from commonly available records.

Do bail bondsmen have access to otherwise restricted information? Because if so, I'd expect their utilization of that access to be similarly restricted.

Koumei · Post by **Koumei** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 7:12 am

My advice here is to think back to what my grandfather would always say: use a Magnum 44-40, problem solved.

And it's Texas, so that's not even a crime.

Seriously though, from what you're telling us it sounds like it's serious enough that you could get the police involved. Is that an option?

Cynic · Post by **Cynic** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 7:43 am

@Politenewb: I'm not sure. But, in retrospect, that has all sorts of shadiness attached to it.

Neeeek · Post by **Neeeek** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 8:16 am

virgil wrote:
Can the parent, through a background check or something, find out about this background check and trace its location?

Since no one else seemed to answer the question, I will. Yes. They can totally find that out with nothing more than an internet search and about $40. I certainly could.

Meikle641 · Post by **Meikle641** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 9:36 am

If things are that serious maybe they should get a CCW and enlist some help from our pals Smith & Wesson? Ideally, yeah, not letting the stalker find them is ideal, but some insurance is useful...

Hell, since it's Texas, they might not even need a license for that.

sabs · Post by **sabs** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 3:13 pm

There are organizations that help battered children/spouses start new lives. Churches, etc. It's much harder these days, because of terorrism, but she might be able to build a new identity.

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