One of the first things I did when I decided to give this hobby a whirl was to sign up with RS2K, which went smoothly (as far as I can tell) and has gotten me as far as getting some responses from inquiry emails to more upscale providers.  One of them suggested that P411 might be a better choice, since it's cost-free for the ladies and more widely used outside the Chicago area, so I thought what the heck, it's only another $89.

So I was filling out the forms, and this thought popped into my head: do they block the number they call from when they do employment verification, or use a number other than the one listed on their website?  So I googled the number and... oh my, that wouldn't be good.  Yes, I'm paranoid, but I work for a private financial firm that a) has very few employees and b) all of them are extremely computer-savvy.

I will ask them this question directly before finishing the registration, but thought it worth throwing out here as food for thought.


-- Modified on 9/19/2010 8:53:55 AM

They're very responsive and happy to answer questions about their service.

http://www.preferred411.com/index.cfm?fx=Contact

That's a very good question, btw. Considering how discreet they typically are, I'd think they'd use a separate number with a benign name attached, but it never hurts to double check.

Have you met someone through RS2K?  If so, if she is a member of P411, she can give you a "Provider Okay" through P411.  I am now P411 Verified Member through provider okays. All of this done without any other reference checks.

Hmm, that would be cool.  I haven't met anyone at all yet, the first appointment I made ended up an NCNS (on her part).  I have a second appt. set up for next weekend, this time with a *very* well reviewed and communicative lady.  The suspense is freakin' killing me!  Assuming everything goes well, I'll definitely ask her about this.

I called up P411 yesterday and talked to a very nice woman.  FWIW, she assured me that they for employer contact they use a benign number that is not trivially traceable back to them.

However, she also said that an alternative is to provide them with scanned/PDF copies of three pieces of paper ID: 1) cell phone bill linking number to name, 2) driver's license, and 3) recent paystub, with it being acceptable for the details like address, account/DL number, financials and so on blacked out.  You can go this route by explaining this in the client notes and emailing the docs to them.  It's a different address than their general contact number, I won't repeat it here just in case I misunderstood or they prefer not to have it publicized.  I'm sure if someone else wants to go that route they can call as I did and get the same info.