Tools of a Skip Tracer

Would you go to a dentist if the only tools she usedHowever, if it does PLEASE let me know.
are a chainsaw and a stick? Would you take your carWORKSHEETSWhatever you call it. A worksheet, a
to be serviced by a mechanic whose only tools werechecklist or a form. This is what the investigator uses
a chocolate bar and hairspray? Would you want toto make sure that every stone has been turned, every
your child to go to an elementary school that onlynook and cranny (what’s a cranny?) has
taught from a set of 1964 encyclopedias?been checked for information to help locate the debtor.
Do you see the connection?LETTERSThis provides another option to reach out a
It is simple- really. Every industry has tools that can betouch the debtor. By sending a letter with PLEASE DO
specific to that industry. The dentist would never use aNOT FORWARD ADDRESS CORRECTION
chainsaw (even though it may feel like it). They useREQUESTED printed on the envelope is an easy way
tools that are designed and that are necessary for theto get determine if the debtor has moved and left a
successful completion of their task- to assist withforwarding address. The downside to sending a letter
proper dental hygiene. The same holds true for everis the turn around time.
other profession and industry. At the same time, toINTERVIEW TECHNIQUESThere are two different
take tools that may not be useful to an industry canapproaches direct and indirect. Direct is determining the
slow down the process.information that you need contact the people that
So here comes the question. Why is it that those thathave that information and ask them for it. Indirect is
skip trace do not utilize the tools that are available toalso called pretext or social engineering. Determine
our profession or we try to use the tools of otherwhat information that you need then develop a story,
professions to do our job?contact the people that have that information and
What are the tools available to the skip trace industry?present your story so that they will give you the
You’ve heard me talk about some of them.information that you need. Sometimes pretexting is
Databases, each other and our minds. But, what areillegal; please make sure you know both the federal
some other tools available to us? Below is a list.and your state laws that apply.
I’m not calling it a complete list, because weTRAPLINESThis is a service provide by various
think out side of the box and have incredibletelephone companies. When someone calls a trap line
imaginations, so the list will never be completed. Not allthe number is captured. It does not matter if it is non
of these will apply to your needs, but maybe it willpublished or published you will get a report of all
spark some ideas and you can add to the list.numbers. You can setup a standard toll free number to
CALLER IDHave caller ID setup on ALL incoming calls.do this but it takes up to 30 days to get results.
When you ask for a debtor for their number, is itHELLO LINESThis is a phone line that is simple
matching up with the number they are calling from? Ifanswered as “hello”. It is not
possible, through you phone provider have a reportanswered with the company name or with the
available to you per day of all received calls (justprofessionalism of the company. It is answered in the
incase you miss it and they don’t leave asame way that you would you home phone.
message). Any numbers that you do not recognizeCALLER ID SPOOFINGThere are companies that can
reverse that number and see what you get.be used or phone systems that can be purchased
SUBSCRIPTION DATABASESMost of us already useallowing the user to change their outgoing Caller ID
these. They can be very useful for obtaining additionalinformation.
information on your debtor or those around them.INVESTIGATOR SURROUNDINGSCollections and
Some include: and to name a few. There are severalskip tracing need to be physically separated. It helps
more available, do some research and see which bestwith the mindset of the skip tracer as well as not
suites your needs.allowing the other party to hear a demand for
FREE PUBLIC INFORMATION WEBSITES Thesepayment in the background.
websites have gathered tons of links to public recordNETWORK OF INVESTIGATORSA spider web
sites. Most of themseparate the information by state.works because there are many strands connected. If
Some examples include: andyour debtor is running from you they are probably
FILTER DATABASES On these websites you enterrunning from someone else. We need to work
various information of the debtor, public records andtogether.
other websites are searched and the results areMINDSETHere is where the rubber meets the road.
provided in a quick easy to understand format. SomeSkip tracing is a game of hide and seek. The debtor is
examples include: and These really speed up thehiding you are seeking, it’s that simple.
investigation process.INVESTIGATOR EDUCATIONA skip tracer MUST
COMPARE DATABASESThis is where I daydreamstay up to date with laws, procedures and resources
about a database that you can enter the informationto be the best that they can. About a once a year
for two different people at the same time. Then withseminar that includes laws, processes, skill sets and
the same process of the other databases informationresources with the ability to network should do the
is researched on both subjects then is compared fortrick.
anything that is the same and that information isWe have the skills. We have the resources. We have
returned to the user. This way you can determine ifthe tools. Lets show the rest of the world how the
there is a spouse or roommate or significant other.professionals do it!
The reason that I daydream is because to myOh, if you come up with some more to add to the
knowledge no such database exist at this time.list-please send a copy my way.