Photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko
Skip searching is a powerful tool that can help you find people who are purposefully trying to be challenging to locate. This person may also be referred to as a “skip.” The information uncovered during a skip search can be used for various purposes, such as locating missing persons, locating debtors, or even gauging the credibility of a prospective client.
Skip searches allow private investigators, debt collectors, law enforcement, or small businesses to focus on what they do best without having to focus on locating the skip. But let’s start from the top with what exactly skip searching is.
What Is A Skip Search?
Skip search is a term that refers to the process of locating an individual who has gone missing, disappeared, or has otherwise become unresponsive. The search is called “Skip” because it seeks to skip over any obstacles that may hinder or delay locating the individual.
These obstacles could include changed addresses, unlisted phone numbers, or even false identities created by the person in question. Skip searches can be performed locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally.
Typical clients of skip searches include:
- Businesses – These types of services when they’re looking to collect debts from individuals who have skipped payments.
- Law enforcement – Skip searching is commonly used for tracking down criminals on the run or eyewitnesses in criminal cases who have gone missing without a trace.
- Private investigators – Many PIs offer their services to clients looking to locate family members they have lost touch with.
What Technology Is Used In A Skip Search?
Skip searches incorporate various data sets and information sources such as court records, criminal records, utility bills, and credit reports. They’re convenient when dealing with cases where there is little information available on the whereabouts of an individual under scrutiny.
How Do Skip Searches Work?
Skip tracing, also known as skip searching or people tracing, is locating individuals who have gone missing or have intentionally concealed their whereabouts for various reasons. The process begins with gathering as much information about the individual as possible, including an individual’s:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Social security number (if available)
- Last known address
- Phone number
- Employment history
- Family and friends’ contact information
- And any other relevant details
Skip searches usually start with the most recent known address or phone number associated with the individual and then work backward to locate them. They may search for additional leads through public databases such as property records or voter registration lists. While skip searches typically focus on one individual, they can be performed in batches if you need to look for a group.
What Can Skip Searches Reveal?
Skip searches can reveal a lot of information about an individual, including their:
- Current address
- Phone numbers
- Social media profiles
- Criminal records
- And other public records
By using various databases and sources of information, skip-tracing professionals can piece together a comprehensive profile of the person they are searching for.
This information can be used for various purposes, such as finding missing persons, locating debtors, or witnesses in legal cases. In addition to the primary contact information, skip searches can reveal valuable insights into an individual’s behavior and habits.
For example, if someone has been consistently moving from one location to another within a short time or has multiple phone numbers that change frequently, it could indicate that they are trying to avoid detection.
Skip-tracing professionals use this information to determine the best action to locate individuals effectively. Furthermore, skip searches can provide details about financial transactions made by an individual.
This includes past and present employment history, credit reports, bank accounts, and any loans or debts taken out in their name. This information is particularly useful when searching for individuals who owe money or have defaulted on loans.
Who Can Benefit From Skip Searches?
Skip searches can be beneficial for a variety of individuals and organizations, including:
- Small Businesses: Small businesses that charge in arrears, after rendering a product or service, can leverage skip searches to gauge how likely prospective clients are to pay them for their service.
- Employers: Companies use skip traces to verify employment history and screen potential employees.
- Debt Collectors: Skip tracing services help collectors find debtors who have gone off-grid.
- Law Enforcement Agencies: Law enforcement uses skip tracing to find suspects who have fled or gone into hiding.
- Private Investigators: Private investigators use skip-tracing to find people who have gone missing or into hiding.
Conclusion: How Skip Searches Work
Skip tracing is a powerful tool that can help you find people who are difficult to locate. It is used by private investigators, debt collectors, and law enforcement. It is essential to use skip tracing responsibly and only when necessary. If you are looking for a missing person or client who owes you money, skip tracing can help, and our trained experts can deliver.
