Have you ever wondered what it takes to serve legal documents to someone who doesn’t want to be found? If you find yourself in this position, you’ll want to know what tools and tactics your process server may use to track down the recipient. Join us as we explore the art of skip tracing.
What, exactly, is skip tracing?
Skip tracing is a strategy used by professional process servers, debt collectors, real estate investors, bail bond agents, bounty hunters, and private investigators to locate hard-to-find people.
What information do skip tracers gather?
When searching for someone, a skip tracer will build a profile using small pieces of information that, when combined, can point to a current location or contact method. This data includes:
- Full name and aliases
- Current and past addresses
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Date of birth
- Driver’s license and Social Security number
- Employment information
- Relatives and known associates
What sources do skip tracers use to find information?
Skip tracers use a range of public, private, and proprietary data sources, including:
- Public records: Property tax records, voter registrations, police reports, court filings, business registrations, and marriage and divorce records.
- Credit card and financial data: Credit header data, utility connections, and loan applications.
- Online and digital resources: Social media profiles, online directories, Marketplace listings, and professional profiles.
- Skip tracing databases, software, and tools: TLOxp, LexisNexis Accurint, IDI Core, and BeenVerified.
- Fieldwork: Less common today. Visiting the last known property address, talking to neighbors, and observing locations.
Is skip tracing unethical?
Whether or not skip tracing is ethical depends on the purpose and methodology used to locate someone. For example, it’s above board when used to serve court documents, find someone for a legal claim, or locate heirs and beneficiaries. However, it may become unethical or even illegal if the process involves stalking, harassment, misrepresentation, violating privacy laws, and obtaining restricted data without proper authorization.
When would skip tracing be required?
Although skip tracing is used in many industries, from bail bonds enforcement and collections agencies to repo services, we’ll focus on how this methodology is applied in service of process.
Legal proceedings
Due process mandates that defendants be properly notified before legal action can proceed. So, if a respondent has moved out of state – or is purposely evading police, law enforcement, or process servers – the lawsuit may stall out before justice is served.
A skip trace may be performed when a process server hits a dead end, such as an outdated address and phone number.
Family law and missing persons
Sometimes, skip tracing tactics are employed in situations that hit closer to home. A law enforcement agency may use these techniques to locate a missing person or estranged family member. Or, a process server might trace an individual wanted in a child support case, custody dispute, or divorce proceeding.
Asset recovery
Debt collectors, credit card companies, insurance providers, and other professionals often need assistance in locating certain people to collect unpaid debts, identify hidden or undisclosed assets, or initiate wage garnishment. These services may even be used to help real estate investors find property owners for off-market deals.
What techniques are used for skip tracing?
Skip tracing goes far beyond free search websites and public social media profiles. In fact, this work often combines a delicate balance of data inference and human behavior. Here are some of the techniques and resources skip tracers utilize in the field:
Data aggregation and corroboration
Modern skip tracing relies less on door-to-door fieldwork and more on data analytics. Tracers typically pull information from various sources, then compare the results to piece together a target’s potential location.
For instance, they may:
- Pull address history from public records
- Compare that with a phone number database
- Cross-reference with utility records, property ownership, eviction history, and past employment
- Validate patterns to determine what’s current and what’s outdated
Looking at the big picture rather than each individual piece of information allows these experts to make more accurate determinations.
Social engineering
Of course, a little legwork can go a long way in tracking down an evasive recipient. Skip tracers might talk to a target’s most recent neighbors, coworkers, relatives, landlords, and others who may have information not available online.
Remember that legitimate professionals won’t misuse sensitive information or use deception, pretexting, harassment, or other unethical tactics to obtain information.
Predictive modeling
Predictive modeling is a cutting-edge technique that uses complex algorithmic programs to analyze behavioral patterns and predict a subject’s next move. These systems may compile:
- Past address timelines
- Relocation trends like job changes and family ties
- Credit header movement
- Geographic behavior
Depending on the information uncovered, a predictive model may flag a new city – or even a specific street address – where the target is likely to go.
Need papers served quickly and accurately? Contact Quickserve Legal
Quickserve Legal is here to help you move your case forward with professional process serving and skip tracing services. Reach out to our office today to request assistance from a trusted process server!