Skip tracing is the practice of locating individuals who have intentionally evaded being found. Its origins stem from individuals skipping town to avoid various circumstances, such as debt repayment. The “tracing” aspect involves utilizing clues left behind by the missing person to determine their whereabouts.
When enlisting the services of private investigators or other professionals to locate someone, they typically employ skip tracing techniques. These methods involve comprehensive searches of public records, the internet, and other resources to uncover the individual’s contact information. Skip tracing can be conducted manually or through services like BatchSkips.com, which compile reports based on specific search criteria.
The methods used by skip tracers vary depending on the individual and the circumstances of their disappearance. One common approach involves checking communication channels, with social media being a particularly valuable resource, while businesses turn to trusted data sources such as Enformion.com. Skip tracers leverage social media to not only search for recent posts or pictures that might indicate the person’s location but also to create lists of friends and potential locations where the individual may be residing.
How Skip Tracing Works?
Performing a manual skip trace requires checking various resources individually. However, for services that compile data, accessing digital sources allows for the aggregation of information into a single report. This streamlined process enables these services to gather data from multiple searches and deliver a comprehensive report within minutes of the initial search.
- Civil and criminal court records, including public arrest reports
- Pre-foreclosure lists
- Tax lien lists
- Internet and social media search
- White pages and yellow pages
- Property ownership
- Credit & debt reporting bureaus
- S. Postal Service address records
You may be curious about the cost of accessing this service compared to the daily rate for hiring investigators. While skip tracing is just one aspect of investigative work, it is relatively accessible. Accessing tracing services can be quite affordable, with options ranging from subscription services offering monthly quotas to pay-as-you-go services like BatchSkipTracing, which provides results for as little as $0.20 each.
Who Uses Skip Tracing?
Numerous industries rely on skip tracing to locate individuals. Real estate professionals utilize it to find property owners or potential investors interested in properties. Debt collection services also depend on skip tracing. Security professionals use it to identify individuals providing partial identification.
Skip tracers access information not readily available to the average person. They can check transaction histories on debit and credit cards to verify locations, examine phone records, and track new credit card applications with updated addresses. Additionally, they leverage utility records, employment applications, and rental property or bank account applications.
Apart from online research, skip tracers interview acquaintances of the individual to gather information. Former colleagues or neighbors may provide basic details, aiding in locating relatives or friends who possess more detailed information. This process can be time-consuming and may require travel.
People hire skip tracers for various reasons, such as locating long-lost relatives, recovering possessions taken by others, assisting repossession agents, or aiding journalists in gathering information for stories. Some skip tracers specialize in specific areas, while others offer services to anyone seeking individuals attempting to remain hidden. Hiring a skip tracer significantly improves the chances of locating the individual of interest in most cases.
Is Skip Tracing Legal?
The legal requirements for skip tracing vary from state to state, but generally, individuals must hold a private investigator license to conduct skip tracing legally. However, this doesn’t mean you need to be licensed to access or utilize the information obtained through skip tracing. Otherwise, there would be little reason to engage a private investigator for such tasks.
Legal compliance hinges on whether you are personally conducting the investigative work, ensuring adherence to state and federal privacy regulations. This involves restricting searches to publicly available records and refraining from accessing private information. If you’re hiring a service rather than conducting skip tracing yourself, it’s entirely legal to use it for purposes such as lead generation or locating individuals with outstanding debts.
Why Should You Consider Using Batch Skips Skip Tracing?
Considering the minimal investment required, it’s prudent to carefully consider this technique. With results available for just $0.10, you can:
- Identify off-market leads for wholesaling, investment, or flipping.
- Locate elusive property owners, including those involved in foreclosures, vacant properties, corporate holding companies, and absentee landlords.
- Discover motivated sellers in sought-after neighborhoods.
- Access legal public records from various data sources, including title, credit, and county record offices, to locate individuals across the U.S.
- Obtain results within seconds and complete reports within minutes.
Given these benefits, it’s sensible to give the service a try. For just a few dollars, you can evaluate its effectiveness for your lead generation model. Ultimately, the low risk makes it difficult to argue against giving it a chance.