Final answer:
Public directories such as People Search and Infobel are not always reliable sources for phone numbers and addresses due to a variety of factors including the absence of public listings for all individuals, an increased use of cell phones with unlisted numbers, privacy concerns, and the hectic personal schedules of individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering which of the following is not an ideal place to seek out phone numbers and addresses, one must take into account several factors that affect the reliability of such information. People Search and Infobel are both directories that provide contact information, but they may not always be the most reliable sources. There are several reasons why phone numbers and addresses found in public directories or through online search might not be accurate or representative.
One of the key sources of bias is that not all individuals have a telephone, let alone a publicly listed number. Additionally, the use of cell phones has significantly increased, and their numbers are often omitted from traditional directories. Privacy concerns have led to a rise in the use of private numbers, caller ID, and privacy managers, making it harder to reach people or verify their contact details. The hectic nature of personal schedules and a generally decreased willingness to be interviewed contribute to the difficulty of acquiring accurate contact information through direct inquiries.
Surveys and studies show that reaching people at their residence has become more challenging. Instances wherein people are not at home and surveyors failing to return to collect information are not uncommon. Furthermore, the increased utilization of mail surveys and the unreliable response they garner is a testament to the complexity of obtaining valid contact details through public listings. Polling organizations often resort to alternative methods such as random-digit-dialing (RDD) to incorporate unlisted and cellular numbers. This also serves to highlight the limits of conventional directories for providing a comprehensive and current database of contact information.
The complexities of finding reliable phone numbers and addresses mean that while directories such as People Search and Infobel can be starting points, they may not be the most up-to-date or comprehensive sources. When sensitive tasks like job searching are at hand, exercising caution is paramount in order to protect against scams and identity theft.