As Realtors, we all have access to a great deal of information, and we are ethically charged with using this information wisely.  Most of the information we have access to is in the public record (if you know where to find it) and some is not. 

Say you have a client that you really like and they are wanting to find an "estranged" relative.  If this client is not already aware of some of the public information avenues to use, may I suggest that you just "play dumb" and not show them how to access that information.  Take it for granted that there could be a reason people have not stayed in contact with one another.  In trying to do a good deed, you could be inadvertantly placing others in a position where they will be harrassed, or worse.

 I personally became aware of this yesterday evening and was told that the "help" came from a Skagit County Realtor.  I don't have a name, nor do I want one.  I'm sure that the intentions were good, however the results are not.  Now I feel compelled to speak out.  I am not a paranoid person, but in a world full of "wackos" one never knows what the results will be.

Knowledge is power, no doubt.  We can use our knowledge to help someone-we can also use it to hurt someone, even unintentionally.

 Thank you for allowing me to get this off my chest.  Now I can get back to the business of Real Estate and taking care of my family.