Props to U.S. Search

OMG I'm finally a blog-head! This is the first of many posts on Background Found, the preferred site for info, news and commentary on background- and people-search services. This is also one of several consumer-interest blogs under my new online performance publishing umbrella, Publiss, which will include beauty, dating, travel, finance and gossip communities. Please forgive the rudimentary design, I literally signed onto WordPress yesterday, but transferred all my blogs over to Blogger...much more flexible platform.

So anyhoos, I'm a 20-year consumer and trade publishing/new media veteran, as well as a graphic designer and copywriter. Been in Manhattan for 7 years. A few months back, I accepted a freelance design gig from a former co-worker; putting together a kickass Powerpoint presentation (name withheld to protect the skanky...let's call him Mr. Stiffy, cuz that's what he eventually tried to do to me, stiff me). He called me in a panic, saying he needed the project turned around in a matter of hours. I took Mr. Stiffy out to breakfast, we discussed the content, and he asked how much. I told him 5 hours at $50/hour, so $250 total. Mr. Stiffy is an independent job recruiter...I was looking for a full-time gig, and offered to barter my services; he agreed to review my resume and shop it around, in exchange for my fee.

Completed the presentation by deadline and Mr. Stiffy "loved it." I emailed the final file off to him, and then the BS began. I emailed him the following week, asked how the Powerpoint went over, reminded him to help with my job hunt...no response. TWO MONTHS LATER, I emailed him an invoice, with a friendly note reminding him of our barter, informing him he broke our agreement, and telling him I had no need of his "services" going forward. He actually wrote back, and said he'd "call me" (never did) to discuss the invoice, which he found "funny."

Well, he's not laughing now. Filed a small claims suit and won; Mr. Stiffy didn't even bother to show up for court. I don't blame him. I was trying to find his home address on WhitePages.com, and was directed to U.S. Search, a background checking service. The curiosity was irresistible; I paid the $40, and BOY what a rap sheet! Tons of addresses, aliases, and creditors who've filed similar suits. I had questions about the report, and the U.S. Search customer service team couldn't have been nicer or more knowledgeable or more responsive. Thanks U.S. Search! You gave me the ammo I needed to win my case!
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