Have you ever heard about skip tracing? If not, it’s no different from finding a needle in the haystack. The term “skip tracing” is used to define the process of tracking down someone who’s missing, has skipped out on a debt, or is hiding from the law.

Simply put, skip tracing is finding someone who currently has relocated or, sometimes, disappeared. It is usually because this person doesn’t want to be found due to legal or financial issues. The good news is that skip tracing is a legal activity as long as you have a permissible purpose to find the person in question.

It’s quite different from looking for missing persons. The latter is mostly associated with law enforcement and finding people who have been kidnapped or are victims of crimes. Skip tracing, on the other hand, is about finding debtors or people who have skipped bail.

This article will show you everything you need to know about skip tracing, keep reading!

Who Uses Skip Tracing?

Skip tracing is commonly used by debt collection agencies, so it can be from a bank or any other type of institution that a person might have debt with. It is also used by landlords to find former tenants who have skipped out on rent, and by lawyers to locate witnesses in order to serve them with a subpoena.

Skip tracing is also used by private investigators, but this is usually in more extreme cases where someone fears for their safety or is the victim of harassment.

In some cases, skip tracing is also used by people who are trying to find long-lost loved ones or friends.

How Does Skip Tracing Work?

Skip tracing usually starts with some basic information about the person you’re looking for, such as their name, date of birth, last known address, or Social Security number.

With this information, a skip tracer will start searching public records to try and find more information about the person in question. This can include things like property records, court records, criminal records, and marriage/divorce records.

Private investigators can also be hired as a skip tracer as they have access to more resources, such as credit reports, utility records, and employment records. They also have the ability to run background checks.

In some cases, skip tracing can also involve surveillance in order to find someone’s current whereabouts. This is usually a last resort, as it can be quite expensive and time-consuming.

Why Would Someone Need to Use Skip Tracing?

There are a few different reasons why someone might need to use skip tracing. The most common reasons are:

• To find someone who owes you money
• To find someone who has skipped bail
• To find a witness for a court case
• To find a missing person
• To find someone who has underreport income to the IRS
• To find a person who is in hiding

What Are the Different Methods of Skip Tracing?

There are a few different methods that can be used for skip tracing. The most common methods are:

Public records search

This is the most basic form of skip tracing and involves searching for public records that might contain information about the person you’re looking for.

Private investigators also have access to public records, but they also have the ability to search for things like credit reports, utility records, and employment records.

Credit Report

Someone with debt from any type of institution, such as a bank or hospital, may have their name appear on a credit report. This can be helpful in finding someone’s current address or place of employment.

Utility Records

If you’re trying to find someone’s current address, you can search for their utility records. This can be helpful if the person is trying to avoid being found.

Employment Records

If you’re trying to find someone’s current address, you can also search for their employment records. This can be helpful if they’ve changed their name or are using a different name than what appears on public records.

Background Check

A background check can be helpful in finding someone’s current address, criminal history, or other important information.

Criminal Records

If you’re trying to find someone who has skipped bail or is a fugitive, checking criminal records can be helpful. This can also be useful in finding someone’s current address or place of employment.

Can I Hire a Private Investigator to Skip Trace?

Yes, you can hire a private investigator to help you with skip tracing. Private investigators have access to resources that the average person does not, such as credit reports, utility records, and employment records. They also have the ability to run background checks.

If you’re trying to find someone who owes you money, has skipped bail, is a witness for a court case, or is missing, hiring a private investigator can be helpful.

How Much Does Skip Tracing Cost?

The cost of skip tracing depends on the method used and the amount of information you have to start with. Public records searches are typically the most affordable option, while hiring a private investigator may be an expensive option, but they are most reliant in keeping the job done.

The cost also depends on how difficult it is to find the person you’re looking for. If the person is easy to find, it will typically be less expensive than if the person is more difficult to find.

Get in Touch with us for a Free Consultation

If you need help with skip tracing, Spousebusters is  here to help. We offer a free consultation so you can learn more about our services and how we can help you. Contact us today at 1300 776 873 and start your search.