Skip tracing is the practice of locating individuals who have deliberately avoided detection, often to evade responsibilities like debt repayment. The term originates from those who would “skip town” to escape unfavorable situations.
Individuals can conduct skip tracing manually or through services like BatchSkips.com, which compile comprehensive reports based on specified search criteria.
Depending on the circumstances and the person’s actions, skip tracers utilize various methods to locate the individual. A common starting point involves checking communication channels, including social media. Here, skip tracers not only search for recent posts or photos that may reveal location clues but also create lists of friends and potential locations where the person of interest might be residing.
How Skip Tracing Works?
When conducting a manual skip trace, each resource must be checked individually. In contrast, services that compile data have digital access to these sources, enabling them to consolidate all necessary information into a single report delivered promptly after your initial search.
These services aggregate data from various sources, including:
- Civil and criminal court records, including public arrest reports
- Pre-foreclosure and tax lien lists
- Internet and social media searches
- White pages and yellow pages
- Property ownership records
- Credit and debt reporting bureaus
- U.S. Postal Service address records
Wondering about the cost? While hiring investigators can be expensive, skip tracing services are more accessible. Subscription options with monthly quotas and pay-as-you-go services like BatchSkipTracing, which offers results for as little as $0.20 each, provide cost-effective access to these resources.
Who Uses Skip Tracing?
Skip tracing serves crucial roles in various industries. Real estate professionals utilize it to locate property owners and potential investors interested in properties. Debt collection services rely on skip tracing to locate debtors. Security professionals use it to identify individuals with partial identification.
Skip tracers access information not readily available to the public. They can review transaction histories of debit and credit cards to verify locations, examine phone records to determine contacts, and track new credit card applications with updated addresses. Utility records, employment applications, and rental or bank account applications also provide valuable data.
In addition to online research, skip tracers interview acquaintances of the person of interest for further insights. Former colleagues or neighbors may provide essential leads, although this process can be time-consuming and may involve travel.
People hire skip tracers for various reasons, such as locating long-lost relatives, recovering stolen possessions, aiding repossession agents, or assisting journalists with investigative work. Some skip tracers specialize in specific areas, while others accept diverse assignments. Hiring a skip tracer significantly enhances the likelihood of finding the person of interest in most cases.
Is Skip Tracing Legal?
The legal requirements for skip tracing vary by state, typically requiring a license for individuals to conduct this activity as private investigators. However, accessing and utilizing skip tracing information does not necessarily mandate licensure. Otherwise, hiring licensed private investigators for such tasks would serve no purpose.
Legal compliance hinges on whether the individual is performing the investigative work themselves, adhering strictly to state and federal privacy laws governing access to public records. Using skip tracing services for lead generation or locating individuals with outstanding debts is permissible as long as these services are contracted and not conducted independently.
Why You Should Consider Using Batch Skips Skip Tracing?
Considering the potential cost, this technique warrants careful consideration, although the investment required is minimal.
- Results available for just $0.10 each.
- Identify off-market leads for wholesaling, investment, or flipping.
- Locate elusive property owners, including foreclosures, vacant properties, and corporate holdings.
- Discover motivated sellers in sought-after neighborhoods.
- Access legal public records from multiple sources, such as title, credit, and county record offices, nationwide.
- Obtain results instantly with comprehensive reports generated within minutes.
Given these advantages, trying out the service is a logical step. Assess its effectiveness for your lead generation strategy with a minimal financial commitment. It’s difficult to argue against its value given the low risk involved.
