What Does Open Source Intelligence (ENT) Provide?
So what exactly does the open-source intelligence ENT give you for a bank account search and for the uh bank account number?
How ENT Research Differs from Other Record Searches
So the way ENT research works is that unlike many other types of record searches, like for vehicles or real estate, it’s not a direct search of any actual direct banking records because, as you know, banking records are very private. They’re not anything anybody can access directly. Those are private between the bank and between the depositor, the account holder. So what ENT does is it searches for references to those bank accounts in other areas where they may have been disclosed, revealed, or indicated.
Examples of Bank Account Reference Disclosures
For example, if a person uses their bank account for direct deposit, for a wire transfer, or even for paying things like insurance or some other use, that transaction or use may have revealed the existence of that banking relationship in the open-source community (open-source intelligence). And by searching for other records, you may find references to that bank account.
Identifying Bank Accounts and Potential Pitfalls
So the banking institution, the bank financial institution identity, the name, it may be identifiable. Sometimes the banking institution is identified through patterns, like geographic patterns or usage patterns, which again may not be a direct reference to the bank. Open-source intelligence also may have false positives or false negatives on banking records. The routing number is pretty much accurate because routing numbers are specific to a bank. However, the account number may also be developed or projected using that same open-source method, using patterns or extrapolation.
Account Numbers and Garnishments
Of other similar account numbers to know what the patterns of numbers are, that’s why a lot of times the end is truncated with x’s. It does give you a good starting point if you do want to file garnishments or other requests to that bank to get more information or to confirm it. At least now you have a starting point.
ENT as a Starting Point for Further Inquiries
Open-source intelligence records for bank accounts are not the end result of the search. It’s usually a good place to start doing inquiries to that bank to find out more things like prior activity, account tracing, asset tracing, or to verify the exact correct account number. So use the ENT as a means to get the account records because they’re not available by any other legal method.
Legal Compliance and Privacy Considerations
It is a method that’s GLB (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) compliant, which you want to make sure of anytime you’re searching for any private information, that it’s always compliant with federal laws. So you’re not violating privacy or doing something that could get you into trouble for searching the wrong way. Obviously, if you get records about a bank using an illegal method, you won’t be able to use them anyways. If you use them in court, use them for garnishment, you can get in trouble and it can get thrown out.
Legal Advice and Using ENT in Asset Searches
Check with your attorney or check with qualified legal advice about how all that works, but you can use ENT or open source to at least get a peek into possibilities for banking records. So now you can proceed further along with the other records for other assets like vehicles, real estate, corporate assets, and intellectual property, putting together a picture of what that person may be holding for asset value, wealth, or other worth on their balance sheet.
