Skip tracing is the process of finding people or businesses that have not paid what they owe, such as overdue debts or missed payments. This method is often used by debt collectors, banks, and companies to locate debtors who have stopped responding or are avoiding contact. Below are some commonly used skip tracing methods in finding people:

Database Searches: These involve using both public and private databases to collect details about the debtor. This may include credit reports, public records, utility bills, and other financial documents.

Social Media and Online Presence: This method involves checking the debtor’s activity online. Social media profiles may give clues about their current location, job, and lifestyle.

Phone Number and Address Checks: This includes confirming phone numbers and addresses by using phone directories, reverse lookup websites, and address verification tools.

Contacting Known Associates: This involves reaching out to friends, family, employers, or others who may know where the debtor is.

Public Records: These records may include court cases, property records, business registrations, voter registrations, or vehicle ownership documents that can help locate the person.

Credit Bureau Reports: Credit reports can show recent financial activities that may lead to a new address or updated contact information.

Postal Services: This includes checking with the post office for change-of-address forms or mail forwarding requests.

Field Visits: A visit to the debtor’s last known home or workplace may offer useful information from neighbors, current residents, or property managers.

Professional Skip Tracers: These are experts or agencies with access to advanced tools and knowledge to locate hard-to-find individuals.

Utility and Service Providers: These companies may have new account information that shows where the debtor currently lives.

These skip tracing techniques are used together to collect the information needed to locate the debtor and take the next steps to recover the debt.

Example of Skip Tracing Techniques in Action

Here is an example showing how skip tracing can work in a real situation:

ABC Financial Services is trying to locate John Doe, who stopped paying on a personal loan and has not responded to contact attempts. His last known phone number and address are no longer working. ABC Financial Services decides to use skip tracing techniques to find him.

Steps Taken:

Database Searches:

• Credit Report: ABC checks John Doe’s credit report to see if he has applied for any new credit cards or loans, which could show his current address or job.

• Public Records: They also search for any recent property sales, court documents, or business licenses under his name.

Social Media and Online Presence:

• Social Media Profiles: They check Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. On one account, they find a recent photo of John tagged in a different city.

• Online Search Engines: A search reveals John recently joined a local event in another town, suggesting he may be living nearby.

Phone Number and Address Checks:

• Reverse Lookup: They use a tool to check if John’s old phone number has been given to someone else or linked to a new address.

• Address Tools: They confirm whether his former address has any updated or forwarding information.

Contacting Known Associates:

• Friends and Family: ABC contacts people listed as references in his loan application to ask if they know where he is now.

• Previous Employer: They also call his former employer to see if they have updated contact details.

Postal Services:

• Change-of-Address: ABC checks with the postal service to find out if John filed a change-of-address request.

Field Visits:

• In-Person Visit: An agent visits John’s last known address. They speak with current tenants and neighbors to get any helpful information.

Utility and Service Providers:

• Utility Records: They check if John has opened any new accounts with local utility companies.

As a result of these steps, ABC Financial Services finds out that John recently moved to a nearby city and started a new job. His new address was listed in a recent credit card application found in his credit report. With this new information, the company is able to contact him again to discuss repaying the loan or take further steps if needed.

This example shows how skip tracing uses a mix of tools, records, and personal connections to help find someone who has stopped responding, giving businesses a way to move forward in collecting debts.