What is Skip Tracing? Techniques, Tools, and Real-World Applications

Skip tracing refers to tracking individuals who are difficult to reach or skipped through gathering information. Businesses use skip-tracing services to find defaulters and fugitives. This blog will give a brief of techniques, software, and tools to help in tracking the fugitives.

What is Skip Tracing?

Skip tracing is a process of finding individuals through available information from public records, databases, and other resources. Here the term skip refers to an escapee running or attempting to avoid being located. This process involves the collection, analysis, and verification of individual data to locate them. Majorly Debt collectors use tracing to recover the payment by finding the defaulter. SKIP tracing services are currently used in industries such as legal services, real estate, banks and NBFCs.

How Does SKIP Tracing Work?

It involves the collection and analysis of data to find the person’s whereabouts. Here are the  steps:

Collection of Information

This process includes gathering information about the person such as

• Full Name
• Last known address
• Social Security Network
• DOB
• Phone Numbers and alternate phone numbers
• Email Addresses
• Employment History
• Vehicle Details

Data Mining
After the collection of personal information usually skip tracer search for other data sources,

• Social Media Profiles.
• Public Records.
• Credit Records.
• Job applications and utility bills.
• Driver’s License Records.
• Criminal Background Checks.
• Search Engine.

Analysis and Verification

This step includes the analysis and verification of information.

• Cross-referencing data points.
• Identifying patterns or inconsistencies.
• Checking the accuracy.
• Finding the current location and phone number.

SKIP Tracing Techniques

Here is the list of widely used tracking techniques:

• Traditional Methods: Traditional tracing involves manually searching information from phone directories and physical records.

• Modern Method: Modern Methods uses advanced tools like online databases and software made for SKIP Tracking.

• Manual Method: The manual method involves searching public records, and social media profiles and contacting close ones.

• Online Method OR Tools: Presently, many software and services are available in the market. They provide data within seconds.

What to Look for in SKIP Tracing Software

Choosing the right skip-tracing software is important to streamline the search process. It should have these qualities:

• Data Accuracy: The software should provide up-to-date information including phone numbers, email addresses, and ownership details.
• Batch Processing: The service offers batch processing with the ability to process large volumes of data.
• User-Friendly Interface: The interface should be easy to navigate and use.
• Compliance with Privacy Laws: The software should comply with legal regulations to avoid legal issues.
• Easy Integration: The solution should be capable of integrating with the systems.

SKIP Tracing in Real Estate

It is an important tool for real estate investors to find property owners or individuals to close important deals. By getting accurate contact information, investors can simplify the negotiations, acquire properties, and expand their portfolios.

Why is SKIP Tracing Important in Real Estate?

SKIP Tracing plays an important role in real estate:

• Finding Absentee Owners: Many property owners do not stay at their listed address which makes it challenging to contact them.
• Locating Heirs: In case of inheritance sales, skip tracing can identify heirs who hold legal rights to the property.
• Reaching Out to Distressed Sellers: Investors can contact individuals facing foreclosure or financial hardships to offer assistance.
• Tracking Delinquent Borrowers: Lenders and investors can use this software to find defaulters.

SKIP Tracing Software For Real Estate Investors

• Surepass SKIP Tracing Solution

Surepass SKIP tracing API is considered the best that provides comprehensive data of an individual including phone number, recent e-commerce address, current and alternate address, etc. It also offers a batch processing option that improves the efficiency of operations. It easily integrates with the system and offers affordable pricing.

• Propstream

Propstream is an effective solution for real estate investors that offers comprehensive data on property ownership, market trends, and potential leads. It provides do-not-call list scrubbing. This feature helps real estate investors find the grey area of contacting individuals on the DNC list, reducing the risk of complaints while offering valuable insights.

• Skip Genie

Skip Genie is a comprehensive solution for real estate investors to get addresses, phone numbers, and related contacts by property to find owners and contact details. It is also affordable in pricing.

Who Can Use SKIP Tracing?

Apart from real estate, Skip Tracking can be used in various industries,

• Insurance Companies: It is used to investigate fraudulent claims or locate beneficiaries for policy payouts.
• Law Firms: It helps in finding witnesses and defendants for legal proceedings.
• Real Estate Investors: Investors can use this tracing software to find and contact property owners for negotiation of potential deals.
• Debt collectors and collection Agencies: These professionals use Skip tracing to find individuals who have defaulted on loans or other financial obligations.
• Private investigators: They can use this service to get details about fraud and missing persons.

Common Challenges Faced By Skip Tracer

A skip tracer faces the following challenges:

• Altered or Outdated data: It becomes difficult to trace the person who is frequently moving, changing his location, or changing personal information.
• Ethical Considerations: Skip Tracer must navigate privacy and ethical boundaries, especially when handling sensitive information of individuals.
• Time-consuming Analysis: The SKIP tracer has to analyse vast amounts of data to filter out relevant details, which consumes time.
• Legal Restrictions: Skip-tracing activities are governed by laws such as the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act (FDCPA) and various privacy regulations.

Conclusion

Skip Tracing solutions are important for finding fugitive or hard-to-find individuals. These services are widely used in industries like debt collection, real estate, and private investigations. It provides accurate and comprehensive data about an individual. Many services and software are available, but you should check the features and affordability while choosing the right solution.

FAQs

What is SKIP Tracing used for?

It is used to find the whereabouts of a person due to unpaid debts, or other reasons.

How to do SKIP Tracing in debt collection?

It’s in debt collection involves searching public records, social media, and other online sources. 

Is SKIP Tracing Legal?

Yes, It is legal if it is conducted under law and regulations.