Explore in-depth the ins and outs of skip tracing from how it works to its biggest challenges. Understand best practices and what technology you need to be at your best.
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As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city, George, a seasoned skip tracer, finally let out a sigh of relief. After hours of meticulous searching, cross-referencing, and following digital breadcrumbs, he had located his target – a debtor who had seemingly vanished into thin air. This scene, once a rarity, has become increasingly common for skip tracing in the digital world.
In today’s digital age, the art of finding people who don’t want to be found has both evolved and become more challenging. Technological advancements have transformed the landscape of skip tracing, offering new tools and methods while simultaneously creating more ways for individuals to cover their tracks. As our lives become more intertwined with the digital realm, the relevance of skip tracing continues to grow across various industries, from debt collection to law enforcement, and from real estate to legal services.
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| What is skip tracing? |
| How does skip tracing work? |
| Skip tracers’ biggest challenges |
| Skip tracing best practices |
| What to consider in skip tracing technology |
| Final words |
What is skip tracing?
Skip tracing is the process of locating a person’s whereabouts for any number of purposes. Usually, it’s performed when a person has “skipped” town or is deliberately trying to avoid detection.
The term originates from the phrase “to skip town,” combined with “tracing” for the act of tracking someone down. While its roots can be traced back to the early days of bounty hunting and debt collection, skip tracing has evolved into a sophisticated investigative technique used by various professionals.
In essence, skip tracing involves gathering, analyzing, and verifying information to locate individuals who have disappeared, whether intentionally or unintentionally. It’s a critical tool in modern investigations, helping to reunite families, recover debts, serve legal documents, and even assist in criminal investigations.
Who uses skip tracing?
Many industries use some type of skip tracing, although usually performed by collection agencies. Skip tracing services could be done by a wide range of professionals and organizations:
- Debt collectors and collection agencies: To locate debtors who have defaulted on payments.
- Law enforcement: To find fugitives or missing persons.
- Private investigators: For various types of cases, including missing persons and fraud investigations.
- Process servers: To deliver legal documents to individuals who are difficult to locate.
- Real estate investors: To find property owners for potential deals.
- Bail bondsmen: To track down individuals who have skipped bail.
- Law firms: To locate witnesses, heirs, or parties in a lawsuit.
- Insurance companies: To investigate fraud or locate beneficiaries.
- Repossession Agents: To find individuals who have defaulted on loan payments for vehicles or other assets.
- Journalists: To find sources or subjects for stories.
How does skip tracing work?
The skip tracing process is a systematic approach to gathering and analyzing information. Let’s break down the key steps:
1. Information gathering
The first step in skip tracing work is collecting as much initial information as possible about the subject.
This may include:
- Full name and known aliases
- Last known address
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Employment history
- Vehicle information
Skip tracers often start with the information provided by their clients and expand from there.
2. Data mining
Once the initial information is collected, skip tracers dive into various data sources to uncover additional details.
These sources may include:
- Public records (court records, property records, marriage/divorce records)
- Credit reports
- Social media platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter)
- Job applications
- Utility bills
- Driver’s license records
- Criminal background checks
- Online search engines
- Other skip tracing techniques (image search, synthetic identities, voter registration, and vehicle records)
Skip tracing software and specialized databases often play a crucial role in this stage, allowing tracers to access and search through vast amounts of data quickly.
3. Analysis and verification
After gathering data from multiple sources, skip tracers must analyze and verify the information. This helps prevent the risk of misinformation which could lead to a loss of time.
This step involves:
- Cross-referencing data points
- Identifying patterns or inconsistencies
- Verifying the accuracy of information
- Piecing together a timeline of the subject’s movements
- Determining the most likely current location or contact information
This stage requires critical thinking skills and attention to detail to separate relevant information from noise.
4. Contact attempts
Once a current address or phone number is identified, the skip tracer or their client will try to contact them. This is often referred to as right-party contact in the industry.
This may involve:
- Phone calls
- Emails
- Physical visits to addresses
- Reaching out to family members or associates
- Sending mail to verify addresses
The method of contact often depends on the purpose of the skip trace and any legal restrictions that may apply.
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Skip tracers’ biggest challenges
While skip tracing can be highly effective, it comes with its own set of challenges. Here are the top obstacles skip tracers often face:
Limited data
In some cases, the initial information provided about a subject may be minimal or outdated. This can make it difficult to begin the search or to differentiate the subject from others with similar names or backgrounds.
Changed or outdated data
People’s lives are dynamic – they move, change jobs, get married, or divorce. Keeping up with these changes can be challenging, especially if the subject is intentionally trying to avoid detection.
Time-consuming analysis
In the age of big data, skip tracers often find themselves sifting through vast amounts of information. While this is important for due diligence, determining what is relevant and what is not can be time-consuming and may lead to false leads if not done carefully.
Legal restrictions
Skip tracing must be conducted within the bounds of the law. Regulations such as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and various privacy laws can limit the methods and extent of skip tracing activities, particularly in debt collection cases.
Ethical considerations
Skip tracers must balance their investigative duties with respect for privacy and ethical conduct. This can sometimes create dilemmas, especially when dealing with sensitive information or potentially vulnerable individuals.
Skip tracing best practices
To overcome these challenges and conduct effective skip traces, professionals should adhere and append to the following best practices:
Continuous professional development
The field of skip tracing is constantly evolving, with new technologies and techniques emerging regularly. Successful skip tracers commit to ongoing learning and professional development to stay at the top of their game.
Stay updated on tools and techniques
From advanced skip tracing software to new data sources, it’s crucial to stay informed about the latest tools and methods available. This includes understanding how to leverage social media platforms, public records databases, API integrations, and other digital resources effectively.
Maintain organized records and a systematic approach
Effective skip tracing requires meticulous organization. Keeping detailed records of all searches, contacts, and findings not only helps in the current investigation but can also be valuable for future traces or if legal questions arise.
Thorough preparation and research
Before diving into a skip trace, it’s essential to gather as much initial information as possible and develop a clear strategy. This preparation can save time and resources in the long run and increase the chances of a successful trace.
What to consider in skip tracing technology
For investigative agencies looking to invest in skip tracing software, (aside from pricing) there are several key factors to consider:
- Data quality and breadth: The software should access a wide range of up-to-date and accurate data sources.
- User-friendliness: The interface should be intuitive and easy to navigate, allowing for efficient searches and data analysis.
- Compliance features: Look for software that includes built-in compliance tools to help ensure all skip tracing activities adhere to legal requirements.
- Integration capabilities: The ability to integrate with other tools and databases can significantly enhance the skip tracing process.
Why Thomson Reuters CLEAR Skip Tracing software?
Thomson Reuters CLEAR Skip Tracing is a powerful tool that offers several benefits to users:
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- Flexible search criteria to help you find more with less: Find people quickly through various search criteria. Backed by machine learning, this will help you expedite your collection efforts, even if you begin your search with an old phone number.
- Tailor reports to meet your specific needs: Document your findings through distinct report sections and personalize the report to highlight specific sections or remove details that are not meaningful to you. Then, export and print reports to easily review or share important information.
- Receive fast results from premium data sources: Access critical location information supplied by a myriad of transparent data sources, including the top three credit bureaus and bank account header records.
- CLEAR value: From the timeliness of data, ease-of-use, and return on investment within seven to 12 months, organizations find clear value in CLEAR Skip Tracing.
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Sarah Englund
Professional Service Bureau
Final words
Skip tracing remains an essential tool in our increasingly connected yet complex world. As individuals become more mobile and digital footprints more intricate, the skills and technologies involved in skip tracing continue to evolve. From debt collectors to law enforcement, and from private investigators to real estate agents, and bounty hunters to legal professionals, the ability to locate individuals efficiently and legally is more critical than ever.
While challenges persist, advances in skip tracing software and techniques offer new opportunities for professionals in this field. By staying informed, adhering to best practices, and leveraging powerful tools like Thomson Reuters CLEAR Skip Tracing, skip tracers can navigate the complexities of modern investigations successfully.
As we look to the future, the importance of balancing investigative needs with privacy concerns and ethical considerations will only grow. Skip tracing, when conducted responsibly and effectively, serves not just as a means of locating individuals, but as a crucial component in maintaining the integrity of our legal, financial, and social systems.
Thomson Reuters is not a consumer reporting agency and none of its services or the data contained therein constitute a ‘consumer report’ as such term is defined in the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. sec. 1681 et seq. The data provided to you may not be used as a factor in consumer debt collection decisioning, establishing a consumer’s eligibility for credit, insurance, employment, government benefits, or housing, or for any other purpose authorized under the FCRA. By accessing one of our services, you agree not to use the service or data for any purpose authorized under the FCRA or in relation to taking an adverse action relating to a consumer application.
