A skip trace (or skiptrace) typically refers to the process of finding the location of someone – usually with the implication that the person does not want to be found.
This term originates from the idea of “skipping town” with the “skip” being the person that needs to be found and “trace” referring to the process of finding that person.
A skip trace is most often associated with law enforcement, lawyers and private investigators, but is also linked to journalists, debt collectors, bail bondsmen and even bounty hunters. Conducting a skip trace starts with the collection of known information surrounding an individual.
If known, a social security number – which is typically associated with any type of credit transaction (including even things like cell phone contracts) as well as virtually every type of legal/governmental transaction – is often a great way to trace whereabouts of an individual. Public records – including criminal records, marital records, judgments, liens, etc. – are all tied to social security numbers.
However, even if a social security number is unknown, many public records databases can successfully link this same useful information based on little more than a name and last known city and state. In addition, these public record background checks can also provide a list of relatives and known associates, which can further help to locate someone and complete a skip trace.
While these instant online resources are used extensively by private investigators and the like for skip traces and other investigations, because the information they contain is a matter of public records, they are available for use by anyone. Most importantly, in addition to the public records, you’ll also receive a current address and phone number. You can try a search below for free preview results on what’s available:
Through our partnership with PeopleFinders.com, you'll receive Industry-Leading data by combining over 43 Billion Verified Public Records giving you the most comprehensive Background, Criminal, People, Marriage and Divorce Checks available Online. We receive income from our partnerships.
The background reports are available almost instantly and – by cutting out an expensive lawyer or private investigator – you can save yourself hundreds of dollars. Plus, with the unlimited search option, you can get contact information for not only the person you’re looking for, but also their friends and relatives which can provide invaluable leads.
These databases are updated daily and stack up extremely well against similar skip trace programs that are only available to legal professionals.
So, if you need a skip trace, it’s possible to save yourself both time and money by cutting out the middleman. As well as someone might try to hide, there’s information just a few clicks away that can pull them back into the light.
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Ron is the lead writer for USATrace.com. Ron has over 40 years of experience both as a private investigator and attorney. He brings excellent value to the site with his insite on public records and the changing demographics of people search on the internet. You can contact Ron via ron.richardson@usatrace.com.