| Trying to find people, especially people who don't | | | | of view. Something as simple as searching all |
| want to be found, is not easy. Tools exist to make a | | | | phonebooks nationwide can give a person's location in |
| search easier but it is rare an amateur will | | | | minutes. Typing a person's name into Google can |
| successfully find someone. For the best chance of | | | | reveal newspaper articles, social networking pages |
| success, hire someone who finds people for a living. | | | | and websites to help track someone down. |
| What is Skiptracing? | | | | If you know any mutual acquaintances, they can be |
| Among private investigators, a "skip trace" is the act | | | | a goldmine of information even if they didn't know |
| of finding a missing person. It refers to "tracing" a | | | | your target well. Some small fact could give you the |
| person who has "skipped" town. The first thing | | | | lead you need. Usually, though, you won't be able to |
| skiptracing brings to mind is bounty hunting, finding | | | | find someone even after a lot of effort. When it |
| someone who has fled bail. In a broader sense, | | | | comes to really finding people, you need a |
| skiptracing is commonly used to find anyone who has | | | | professional. |
| defaulted on a debt. The client could be a business | | | | Let the Pros Handle It |
| owed the debt or a collection agency, but can also | | | | Skiptracing is an art and it takes many years of |
| be hired by individuals seeking personal debts. | | | | experience to get it right. A talented skip tracer can |
| Skiptracing is used by law enforcement to find | | | | find just about anyone, often in a matter of hours. |
| suspects or witnesses in criminal actions and by | | | | Avoid online "find anyone" services. These companies |
| attorneys in civil actions to locate persons of interest | | | | simply scan public databases to present information |
| to the case. Private consumers hire skip tracers for | | | | you could get yourself. The only advantage is you |
| reasons such as locating a parent defaulting on child | | | | get your result quickly rather than spending a lot of |
| support or tracking down the owner of a fly-by-night | | | | your time. |
| company. | | | | For the best skiptracing you need a private |
| Not all skiptracing is for criminal or debt purposes. An | | | | investigator. Not only do you get years of experience |
| estate lawyer might use it to find heirs or adoptees | | | | in locating missing persons, but you get access to |
| might be looking for birth parents. | | | | information you wouldn't be able to see otherwise. |
| Do It Yourself Tools | | | | There are many databases of information open only |
| There are a few things an individual can try, but the | | | | to professionals such as licensed investigators. |
| success rate is low if the person is hiding. The | | | | Skiptracing fees vary depending on the difficulty of |
| internet is a huge source of personal information, | | | | the job, but run in the ballpark of $100 to $500 for |
| which can be good or bad depending on your point | | | | most jobs. |