Skip tracing is a specialized technique used to locate individuals—sometimes they have intentionally disappeared to avoid legal or financial
responsibilities, sometimes they are a missing heir to an estate who has been lost in the midst of clerical obscurity, sometimes you just don’t know how to reach them. The term “skip tracing” is derived from the old idiom “to skip town,” referring to someone who absconds or leaves town to escape a situation, such as debt or criminal charges. It’s an important process in industries where finding a missing person is necessary for resolving legal, financial, or personal issues.
Why is Skip Tracing Used?
Professionals who rely on skip tracing include repossession agents, law firms, bail bondsmen, creditors, and debt collectors. Each of these individuals or organizations may need to find someone who is attempting to evade their responsibilities. Some common scenarios where skip tracing is used include:
– Debtors who have defaulted on loans or credit obligations.
– Fugitives who have skipped bail or run from the law.
– Missing heirs who have lost contact or cannot be found to claim an inheritance.
In all of these situations, the goal is to locate the individual by gathering enough information to either enforce a financial obligation or to pursue legal actions.
How Does Skip Tracing Work?
Skip tracing involves a deep search of data sources to uncover the location and identity of an individual. While there are many publicly available resources for skip tracing, such as social media platforms and phone number databases, the most valuable information often resides in records that are typically only accessible to law enforcement or licensed professionals. These include:
– Family and neighbor contact information: Key to tracking down a person, as someone close to them may have knowledge of their whereabouts.
– Address history: While the most recent address is often the most relevant, previous addresses, including both residential and business locations, can provide crucial clues.
– Credit header information: Data tied to an individual’s credit history can lead to their current location.
– Vehicle registration details: Information about vehicles, including license plate numbers, may help find a person through car registration records.
– Driving citations: Tickets and legal violations tied to a person’s name can provide geographic clues.
Who Performs Skip Tracing?
While anyone can technically attempt skip tracing, it is typically carried out by professionals who have the legal access and knowledge to search through these private databases and records. For instance:
– Repo Agents: Specialize in tracking down and reclaimed assets using advanced search techniques and access to skip trace databases.
– Bounty hunters: Often hired to locate bail jumpers who have skipped their court dates.
– Debt collectors: Need to locate individuals who have defaulted on loans or missed payments.
What is Skip Tracing Software?
In the age before the internet, skip tracing was a difficult and time-consuming process; however, the evolution of modern technology has made skip tracing more efficient and cost-effective than ever. The days of flipping through phone books or getting in touch with law enforcement officers are long gone, as most professionals now use a skip tracing software or database. Typically skip tracing software allows you to easily search a comprehensive database containing personally identifiable information (PII). This can include, but is not limited to:
– Current and Historical Addresses
– Current Home and Mobile Phone Numbers
– Social Security and Driver License Numbers
– Contact Information of Family and Neighbors
For larger businesses, many data providers (Including USinfoSearch!) also have batch processing and API solutions, allowing you to run a high quantity of searches if you have a backlog, or integrate their data into your website or mobile app.
How USinfoSearch Can Assist with your Skip Tracing Needs?
USinfoSearch is a valuable tool for skip tracing, offering quick access to comprehensive public records, such as property ownership, phone numbers, criminal records, and more. We help many professionals like law firms, debt collectors, and repo agents locate missing individuals and recover assets efficiently. By cross-referencing multiple data points, USinfoSearch streamlines the search process, delivering fast and reliable results. Additionally, our world-class customer service helps remove the headache that usually accompanies big data. Whether it’s a technical issue you need to troubleshoot, plan adjustments as your business grows, or anything else, we are always here to help! Call us at 866-463-6346 or click here to start searching!
