The term “A Skip” refers to an individual who has disappeared from their known location, often to avoid legal or financial responsibilities. This concept of having “skipped town” is the origin of the investigative process known as “skip tracing.” Skip tracing is the systematic process of gathering, analyzing, and verifying information to locate a person whose whereabouts are unknown.
What Is Skip Tracing
Skip tracing is a formal investigative process used to determine the current location of an individual who is difficult to find. The process involves compiling and verifying numerous data points to piece together a person’s movements and current circumstances. A successful skip trace requires a layered strategy that combines data mining with professional investigative techniques. The goal is to establish contact information, such as a current address, phone number, or place of employment, for individuals like debtors, witnesses, or heirs.
Common Reasons for Conducting a Skip Trace
Skip tracing is employed across numerous professional fields when a subject’s last known contact information proves unreliable.
Debt Collection
A primary application is in Debt Collection, where skip tracers are hired to locate individuals who have defaulted on loans, credit card payments, or other financial obligations.
Legal Sector
The Legal sector relies heavily on this service for the proper functioning of the judicial system. Process servers frequently use skip tracing to locate defendants or witnesses who must be served with subpoenas, summonses, or other court orders to ensure legal proceedings can move forward.
Financial and Real Estate Applications
For Financial Investigations, the practice is used to locate assets or to find heirs and beneficiaries in probate cases when an estate is being settled. Real Estate investors and agents also utilize skip tracing to identify and contact the owners of specific properties they are interested in acquiring.
Data Sources and Techniques Used
The process of locating a “skip” is a rigorous exercise in data triangulation and verification. Skip tracers draw information from two main categories: proprietary databases and public records. Proprietary or subscription-based databases aggregate vast amounts of information from various sources, and access to these is restricted to licensed professionals.
These specialized systems often contain data not available to the general public, such as credit header information and aggregated utility service records. Public records include court filings, property deeds, marriage licenses, and vehicle registration information, all of which provide historical and current data points.
Analyzing a subject’s Digital Footprint is also a major technique, as social media profiles, email addresses, and online forums often reveal clues about current activities, location, and social connections. The technique involves cross-referencing these varied sources to confirm the accuracy of a lead. Skip tracers also gather details about the subject’s friends, family, and business associates, as these personal networks can often provide the most current and accurate information.
Legal Requirements and Ethical Considerations
Skip tracing must be conducted strictly within the boundaries of federal and state law. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) governs how debt collectors must operate when attempting to locate a debtor. Under the FDCPA, a skip tracer contacting a third party, such as a relative or employer, is only permitted to ask for location information and must not disclose that the person owes a debt.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) restricts the practice by regulating access to consumer credit information. To legally obtain a credit report, a skip tracer must have a “permissible purpose,” such as a legitimate business need like debt collection or a background check. Ethical constraints prohibit pretexting, which is the act of impersonating someone else or using deception to obtain private information. Violating these laws can result in significant fines and legal penalties, underscoring the necessity of a legitimate and legally defined purpose for every search.
Working with Professional Skip Tracers
Individuals and businesses typically work with professional skip tracers, such as private investigators, specialized agencies, or legal support firms. These professionals are selected for their access to advanced proprietary databases and their expertise in navigating complex legal compliance.
The cost structure for skip tracing services varies based on the complexity of the search and the information the client provides. Simpler searches may be available for a flat fee, while complex cases are often billed at a higher rate or hourly. The client’s role is to provide accurate initial data, including full names, aliases, and last known addresses, to make the tracing process more efficient. Vetting a professional involves confirming their adherence to legal standards, such as FDCPA compliance, to ensure the retrieved information is legally usable.