Searching for Identities

Mastering TripleValidate's search functionality is key to effective identity verification. This guide covers everything you need to know about searching for people, understanding search results, and working around privacy settings.

Search Methods

Search By Name or Username

What You Can Search:

• Full legal names ("John Smith")

• TripleEnable usernames ("john_smith_business")

• Tr3sPass usernames

• Display names

• Nicknames (if set as username)

Best Practices:

• Use exact spelling when possible

• Try variations ("John Smith" vs "J. Smith" vs "johnsmith")

• Include middle name/initial if known

• Search without special characters first

Example Searches:

• "Sarah Johnson"

• "mike_developer"

• "Dr. Robert Chen"

• "JSmith_NYC"

Search By Email Address

What You Can Search:

• Personal emails (gmail.com, yahoo.com, outlook.com)

• Business/corporate emails (company domains)

• TripleEnable emails (tripleenable.verify.com, tripleenable.secure.com)

• Custom domain emails

Best Practices:

• Copy and paste to avoid typos

• Include full email address with domain

• Try both personal and business emails

• Check for common typos (gamil vs gmail)

Search Tips:

• Primary Email First: Most people add their main email

• Work Email for Business Contacts: Professionals often add business email

• TripleEnable Email: If they're in ecosystem, their auto-generated email works

Example Searches:

• "sarah.johnson@company.com"

• "mike_dev@gmail.com"

• "john_smith@tripleenable.secure.com"

Search By Phone Number

What You Can Search:

• Mobile phone numbers

• Business landlines

• International numbers

• VoIP numbers

Format Requirements:

• Include country code for best results: +1, +44, +91, etc.

• Remove spaces and dashes (or include them - both work)

• Use international format when possible

Best Practices:

• Start with country code: "+1-555-123-4567"

• Try without formatting: "15551234567"

• Try with formatting: "(555) 123-4567"

• International: "+44-20-1234-5678"

Example Searches:

• "+1-415-555-1234"

• "4155551234"

• "+44-20-7946-0958"

Search By Social Media Handles

What You Can Search:

• LinkedIn profile URLs or usernames

• Instagram handles

• Twitter/X handles

• Other social media identifiers

Best Practices:

• Use the exact handle (including @ symbol or without)

• Try full profile URL

• Copy directly from their profile

• Check for verified badge on social platform first

LinkedIn Searches:

• "linkedin.com/in/john-smith-12345"

• "john-smith-12345" (just the profile slug)

Instagram/Twitter:

• "@sarahjohnson" or "sarahjohnson"

• Copy handle exactly as shown

Example Searches:

• "linkedin.com/in/sarah-johnson-ceo"

• "@mike_developer"

• "john.smith.official"

Understanding Search Results

When Identity is Found

You'll See:

User Profile Information:

• Username in TripleEnable/Tr3sPass

• Display name (if set)

• Profile picture (if public)

Zone Information:

• Verified Zone Badge: 2FA authenticated

• Secure Zone Badge: Government ID verified

• Zone indicator helps assess trust level

ZTRS Score:

• Numerical score (0-1000)

• Color indicator:

• 🟢 Green: 750-1000 (High Trust)

• 🟡 Yellow: 500-749 (Medium Trust)

• 🔴 Red: 0-499 (Low Trust)

• Score breakdown (tap for details)

Verified Assets (if visible):

• Email addresses linked to account

• Phone numbers verified

• Social media accounts connected

• Domains owned

• Asset verification timestamps

Account Metadata:

• Account creation date (if visible)

• Last active timestamp

• Account status (Active/Inactive)

• Verification level

When Identity is NOT Found

Possible Reasons:

1. Not in TripleEnable Ecosystem

• Person hasn't created a TripleEnable account

• Most common reason for no results

• Not necessarily suspicious

2. Privacy Settings Block Searches

• User set privacy to "Only My Contacts"

• User set privacy to "Nobody"

• You're not in their contacts list

3. Anonymous Zone User

• Anonymous users cannot be searched (by design)

• Their privacy is protected

• If you need to verify them, they must upgrade zones

4. Asset Not Added

• User is in ecosystem but hasn't added that specific email/phone

• Try searching by username instead

• Try alternative contact methods

5. Search Error

• Typo in email address or phone number

• Wrong format for phone number

• Misspelled name or username

What to Do:

• Try alternative search terms

• Search by different assets (email vs phone vs username)

• Ask the person for their TripleEnable username

• Request they create an account or adjust privacy settings

• Use traditional verification methods if not in ecosystem

Privacy Considerations

Who Can Be Found in Searches?

Searchable Users:

• ✅ Verified Zone users with "Everyone" privacy

• ✅ Secure Zone users with "Everyone" privacy

• ✅ Users with "Only My Contacts" privacy (if you're in their contacts)

Cannot Be Found:

• ❌ Anonymous Zone users (always hidden)

• ❌ Users with "Nobody" privacy setting

• ❌ Users with "Only My Contacts" privacy (if you're not in contacts)

• ❌ Deleted or suspended accounts

Privacy Settings Impact

"Everyone" Privacy Setting:

• Anyone with TripleValidate can find them

• All added assets are searchable

• ZTRS score visible

• Best for business/professional users

"Only My Contacts" Privacy Setting:

• Only people in their Tr3sPass contacts can find them

• Strangers see "User not found"

• Balance of privacy and verification

• Good for personal use

"Nobody" Privacy Setting:

• Cannot be found in any searches

• Maximum privacy

• Cannot receive validation requests

• Limits ecosystem benefits

Privacy Settings Sync:

Privacy settings set in TripleEnable or Tr3sPass automatically sync to TripleValidate. If someone can't find you, check your privacy settings in these apps.

Advanced Search Techniques

Search Strategy for Unknown Results

Step 1: Start Broad

• Search by name/username first

• Wider net for initial discovery

Step 2: Narrow Down

• If multiple results, search by specific email

• Use phone number to confirm identity

• Match ZTRS scores and zones

Step 3: Cross-Reference

• Compare social media handles

• Check verified assets list

• Look for consistency across identifiers

Finding People with Common Names

Problem: Searching "John Smith" returns 50+ results

Solution:

1. Add geographic identifier: "John Smith NYC"

2. Search by email instead: "john.smith@company.com"

3. Use phone number: "+1-555-123-4567"

4. Search by unique username: "johnsmith_designer"

5. Look for company/industry in results

Verifying Correct Person

Check Multiple Factors:

• Does ZTRS score match expected trust level?

• Are linked assets consistent with who you know?

• Does zone level match (professional = Secure, casual = Verified)?

• Does username/profile make sense?

• Are social media handles correct?

Red Flags:

• Very low ZTRS score for supposed professional

• New account (created yesterday) for long-time colleague

• Inconsistent assets (business email + personal social media mismatch)

• Zone level doesn't match context

Search Results Interpretation

High ZTRS Score (750-1000)

What It Means:

• Highly verified identity

• Multiple assets confirmed

• Established account history

• Government ID verified (if Secure Zone)

Your Action:

• High confidence in identity

• Still validate for high-risk transactions

• Generally safe to proceed

Medium ZTRS Score (500-749)

What It Means:

• Moderate verification

• Some assets confirmed

• Building trust score

• 2FA enabled (if Verified Zone)

Your Action:

• Normal caution advised

• Validate for financial transactions

• Cross-check with other sources

Low ZTRS Score (0-499)

What It Means:

• New account or minimal verification

• Few verified assets

• Limited history

• Possibly legitimate but unestablished

Your Action:

• Exercise extra caution

• Always validate before trusting

• Use additional verification methods

• Consider waiting for account maturity

Troubleshooting Search Issues

Search Returns No Results

Try These Solutions:

1. ✅ Check spelling and formatting

2. ✅ Try alternative search terms (email vs phone vs username)

3. ✅ Remove special characters

4. ✅ Try with/without country code for phone

5. ✅ Search by first name only, then narrow down

6. ✅ Ask person for their TripleEnable username

Search Returns Too Many Results

Narrow Your Search:

1. Use email address instead of name

2. Add geographic or company identifier

3. Use phone number (usually unique)

4. Search by exact username

5. Filter by ZTRS score range

6. Look for verified assets that match

Search Returns Wrong Person

Verification Steps:

1. Check all verified assets

2. Compare ZTRS score

3. Review zone level

4. Look at account creation date

5. Send validation request to confirm

6. Ask for specific identifier to verify

Can't Find Someone You Know Is in Ecosystem

Possible Issues:

1. Their privacy settings block you

2. They haven't added that specific asset

3. You're searching wrong identifier

4. They're in Anonymous Zone (can't be found)

5. Account suspended or deleted

Solutions:

• Ask them to check privacy settings

• Request they add the asset you're searching

• Ask for their exact username

• Request they upgrade from Anonymous Zone

Search Best Practices

Before Searching

✅ Gather multiple identifiers (email, phone, username)

✅ Have context ready (why you're validating)

✅ Know what you're looking for (business vs personal)

✅ Prepare validation message in advance

During Search

✅ Start with most unique identifier (email or phone)

✅ Review all results carefully before selecting

✅ Check ZTRS score and zone level

✅ Look for verified assets that match your context

After Finding

✅ Send validation request if uncertain

✅ Document the search and results

✅ Save to validation history

✅ Follow up based on validation response

Privacy-Respecting Search

Respect User Privacy

• Don't spam searches for same person

• Don't share search results publicly

• Don't use TripleValidate for stalking or harassment

• Respect "Not Found" results - they may have privacy settings

Legitimate Search Reasons

✅ Verifying identity for business transaction

✅ Confirming communication authenticity

✅ Protecting against phishing

✅ Validating new business contact

✅ Due diligence for partnerships

Inappropriate Search Reasons

❌ Stalking or harassment

❌ Doxing or exposing personal information

❌ Competitive intelligence gathering

❌ Unauthorized background checks

❌ Spam or unsolicited marketing

Next Steps

Now that you understand searching for identities:

• Sending Validation Requests (Section 4.5) - How to effectively validate after finding someone

• Validation History (Section 4.6) - Track and manage your searches and validations

• Advanced & Business Use Cases (Section 4.7) - Enterprise-level verification strategies