Skip tracing from Tracers.com is both an art and a science, requiring a mix of investigative techniques, resourcefulness, and persistence. Whether you’re a professional investigator, a real estate investor trying to locate a property owner, or simply someone attempting to reconnect with a long-lost acquaintance, mastering the basics of skip tracing can make all the difference. In this article, we’ll delve into 12 essential tips for locating a hard-to-find person, offering strategies that blend traditional methods with cutting-edge digital tools.
The term “skip tracing” originates from the idea of tracing someone who has “skipped” town, often to avoid debts, legal obligations, or other responsibilities. However, not all cases involve evasive behavior. Sometimes, life circumstances—like relocations, name changes, or outdated contact information—can make finding someone surprisingly challenging. Understanding the nuances of skip tracing ensures you’re better equipped to approach these situations ethically and efficiently.
Advancements in technology have revolutionized the field, making it easier than ever to access public records, social media footprints, and other digital breadcrumbs. Yet, successful skip tracing still relies on intuition and critical thinking, as not all valuable information is readily available online. Combining modern tools with tried-and-true practices, such as interviewing known associates or leveraging local databases, often yields the best results.
Whether you’re a seasoned investigator or new to the world of skip tracing, this guide will provide actionable insights to enhance your search efforts. From leveraging free online resources to navigating privacy laws, these 12 tips are designed to help you locate individuals efficiently, ethically, and effectively.
Let’s get started!
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1. Have a plan of action
Review the information provided, verify the subject, review the data, determine what information to use for the skip trace, run it, and analyze the data.
2. Search Close Relationships
Search using the spouse, children, or roommates from the last known address. These close relationships can provide leads as to where the individual is located, either living in the subject’s former or home or new address. Some people use their children’s SSN to qualify for their new residences.
3. Search Vehicle Registration
Many states require individuals to provide proof of residency when renewing their vehicle registrations. The DMV will review pre-approved documents and cross-check them to ensure the data is accurate.
4. Search By Phone Numbers Linked to Current Places
Phone numbers and email address can lead to friends they stay with, their employer, businesses they own, their current taxi driver, etc.
5. Look at Email Addresses
People change email addresses often but are often time linked to social media accounts, employers, or even city. The email address can provide helpful clues and additional information.
6. Perform a Postal Search
A postal search can take up to a week, sometimes more., but can reveal former, current, and new addresses (especially if they’ve recently moved).
Call to determine the name of the person who handles PCO
Fax the request with “URGENT: COURT DEADLINE PENDING” written on it
Follow up two days later
(It’s recommended that you don’t start with a postal search as it can take time).
Multiple current addresses can mean they moved back into a foreclosed property they previously owned, they used an old address to pull credit, or if they’ve set up temporary mail forwarding.
7. Send a PI to Speak with Neighbors
Sending someone to speak with the neighbors can get you information about who is living at the current address, where the subject moved to, and more. When approached correctly, neighbors will often be obliged to help, especially if you explain why you are there.
8. Check Local Jails
Sometimes a postal search returns no information or there is no current or new information in the database. If you find you can’t find any information on the individual, check jails.
9. Check Public Records
Check criminal records or find their parole officer. If you can identify what address an individual was released to, or friends or family who bailed them out of jail.
10. Check Your Databases
Most databases provide data, including date of birth, full SSN, date of birth, and driver’s license.
11. Check With the County Assessor
Find the current owner of a property (in case a forwarding address has been left behind). It can also give you a timeline of when the subject moved out.
12. Check Utility Records
Water, sewer, trash, internet, electric, and gas utilities are always changed when someone leaves and could reveal where the person is even if an address cannot be found.
These tips were put together with experienced skip tracers. Have something to add? Add your tips in the comments below.
Bill Foulkes is a business blogger who specializes in writing blog posts for small businesses. He has been blogging for over one year and does not use any ghost writers to help him with his work. Bill enjoys reading books on self-development and entrepreneurship, as well as watching YouTube videos on how to improve your life. When he’s not working, he likes playing video games and hanging out at the movies with friends.
Bill Foulkes is a business blogger who specializes in writing blog posts for small businesses. He has been blogging for over one year and does not use any ghost writers to help him with his work. Bill enjoys reading books on self-development and entrepreneurship, as well as watching YouTube videos on how to improve your life. When he’s not working, he likes playing video games and hanging out at the movies with friends.
