When you're in the middle of trying to locate a lost loved one online,  the last thing on your mind might be identity theft or fraud. But like any internet-based transaction, people search services involve risks.

People search scammers are experts at obtaining and exploiting your personal information. Hiring a people search service also puts the private information of who you are searching for at risk. How can you protect yourself and still find someone safely online?

To avoid identity theft and fraud, thorough research is a must when you are exploring internet people search options. Research and evaluate every service before you register or pay for a search. Even seemingly harmless or "free" services can put private information at risk.

Although risks cannot be eliminated, they can be reduced. Minimize your risks by taking the time to rate people search services on the following ten questions. These are ten basic questions you can expect any quality people search service to answer thoroughly and professionally.

1. Is there a verifiable address and telephone number for the service? Any reputable internet-based people finder will want clients to know how and where to contact them.

2. How long have they been in business?

3. Where were the investigators trained?

4. What is their success rate? Are you given a meaningful or misleading statistic?

5. Are verifiable references available?

6. Is there a choice of payment options? How are internet transactions secured?

7. What will they do with personal information you provide?

8. When will your search begin?

9. When will your receive results?

10. What guarantees are offered? Will you be provided with verification of their search efforts?