Skiptrace: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
Removed repetition Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit |
||
| (307 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{short description|Process of locating a person's whereabouts}} |
|||
{{About||the 2016 film|Skiptrace (film)}} |
|||
Also commonly referred to as a "locate." A '''skip tracer''' is someone who performs this task, and may be the person's primary occupation. Skip tracing tactics may be employed by [[debt collection|debt collectors]], [[bail bond]] enforcers ([[bounty hunting]]), private investigators, police detectives, or almost any as a part of any investigation that entails locating a subject whose contact information is not immediately known. |
|||
{{More citations needed|date=May 2013}} |
|||
'''Skiptracing''' is the process of locating a person's whereabouts. Skiptracing tactics may be employed by a skip tracer, [[Contact tracing|contact tracer]] (in a [[public health]] context), [[debt collection|debt collector]], [[process server]], [[bail bondsman]] or bail agency enforcer ([[bounty hunter]]), [[repossession]] agent, [[private investigator]], [[lawyer]], police [[detective]], [[journalist]], [[stalker]] or by any person attempting to locate a subject whose contact information is not immediately known. Similar techniques have also been used by investigators to locate [[witness]]es in [[criminal trial]]s.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bohm|first=David|date=2007-02-15|title=Practical Handbook for Professional Investigators|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/9781420006407|doi=10.1201/9781420006407|isbn=9780429245268 }}</ref> |
|||
==Terminology== |
|||
It is done by collecting as much information as possible about the subject which is then analyzed, reducted, and verified. Sometimes the subject's current whereabouts are in the data, but is obfuscated by the sheer amount of information/disinformation. More often the data will be used to identify third parties that might be able to assist the process. This is where the job becomes more than mere research since one must be very diplomatic in order to get information in this manner without compromising the situation. A common tactic involves calling or visiting former neighbors, employers or other known contacts to ask about the subject, sometimes under false or misleading pretenses. In most jurisdictions this deception is legal. |
|||
Other terms include '''to skip trace''', or '''debtor and fugitive recovery'''.<ref name="SkipTracingManual2018"/> A '''skip tracer''' is someone who performs this task, which may be the person's primary occupation. The term "skip" (as a noun) refers to the person being searched for, and is derived from the idiomatic expression "to skip town", meaning to depart (perhaps in a rush or perhaps hoping to elude creditors or law enforcement). As such, the skip tracers need to track down ("trace") the "skip" to their new location. The term "skip" is "attested by the mid 14th century, meaning 'to run, go, rush, flee,' and also 'to make off, hasten away'."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/skip |title= Skip|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=20 January 2023|website= www.etymonline.com|publisher=Online Etymological Dictionary |access-date=20 January 2023 |quote=}} |
|||
</ref> |
|||
==Methods== |
|||
Controversy is sometimes raised in connection with the industry, due to persons selling pirated information under false pretenses. Such persons are not recognized by the professional community; they are ostracized and often hunted by legitimate companies in an effort to protect the industry's reputation. |
|||
Skiptracing is performed in stages. The first step is gather the basic information about the person, such as first, middle, and last name, variants (e.g. Robert may go by "Rob"), aliases, and nicknames. The person's date of birth, last known physical addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers are also important. The person's social media pages may yield clues about their whereabouts. The skip tracer also gathers historical information such as the names of schools the person attended, as this can generate leads about friends who might know their whereabouts. Skip tracers also gather information about the person's friends, family and business associates. |
|||
Then the skip tracer will start collecting as much information as possible about the subject using Internet searches, databases, public records, and their network of contacts. Often, the job becomes more than research since one must usually employ methods of social engineering, which involves calling or visiting former neighbors or other known contacts to ask about the person, sometimes under false or misleading pretenses.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Blake |first1=William F. |title=A manual of private investigation techniques : developing sophisticated investigative and business skills to meet modern challenges |date=February 1, 2013 |publisher=Charles C Thomas |isbn=9780398088569 |pages=147–165}}</ref> |
|||
One example of this type of scenario would be an unlicensed "company" selling cell phone numbers or records to anyone with money. This is obtained by the abuse of social engineering/pretexting methods which are normally used by enforcement agencies for the common good when information can not be acquired more direct means. Cell phone data should be legally acquired by the use of a subpoena. |
|||
Records or Information that skip tracers use may include phone number databases, [[credit report]]s (including information provided on a [[loan application]], [[credit card]] application, and in other debt collector databases), [[job application]] information, [[criminal background check]]s, utility bills, [[social security|Social Security]], [[disability insurance|disability]], and public tax information.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Miller|first=James|date=2018-08-20|title=What is Skip Tracing and How You Can Use It [2019 Update]|url=https://www.searchbug.com/info/what-is-skip-tracing/|access-date=2021-04-09|website=Searchbug Blog|language=en-US}}</ref> While some of these records may be publicly available, some cannot be accessed without an appropriate [[search warrant]], or a specific permissible purpose, which is generally only available to financial institutions, their contracted third-party vendors, law enforcement or licensed private investigators.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ball|first=Craig|title=Cybersleuthing for People Who Still Can't Program Their VCRS|journal=GPSolo}}</ref> |
|||
Most often recognized outside of the industry by phone calls placed to individuals that fit the profile of a person being searched for (e.g. same first initial and last name, address or city and state) |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
Even when no specific information is returned, public and private databases exist that cross-reference skiptracing information with others the "skip" may have lived with in the recent past. For instance, if previous records show a "skip" lived in the same house as a third party, the third party may also be skiptraced in an effort to locate the primary target.<ref name="SkipTracingManual2018">{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/SkipTracingManual2018|title=Skip Tracing Manual 2018|first=Brad|last=Lyons|date=12 January 2018|publisher=|via=Internet Archive}}</ref> |
|||
{{crime-stub}} |
|||
The next step is to verify the information. The information is then analyzed and verified, eliminating some leads as outdated or associated with the wrong person. Sometimes the person's current whereabouts are in the data, but are obfuscated by the sheer amount of information or disinformation. |
|||
In the past, skiptracing included such things as [[dumpster diving]] and [[pretexting|pretext]] calls to utility companies. Currently, skip tracing is largely conducted online using paid databases and phone calls to gather and verify information.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Harms |first1=Steven |last2=Larson |first2=Aaron |title=Credit & collections kit for dummies |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-0470555408 |page=197|date=2009-07-31 }}</ref> Modern social media platforms such as Facebook have greatly simplified skiptracing work.<ref name="SkipTracingManual2018"/> |
|||
== See also == |
|||
* [[Doxing]] |
|||
==References== |
|||
{{Reflist}} |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:Legal action]] |
|||
[[Category:Law enforcement]] |
|||
Latest revision as of 08:13, 30 March 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2013) |
Skiptracing is the process of locating a person's whereabouts. Skiptracing tactics may be employed by a skip tracer, contact tracer (in a public health context), debt collector, process server, bail bondsman or bail agency enforcer (bounty hunter), repossession agent, private investigator, lawyer, police detective, journalist, stalker or by any person attempting to locate a subject whose contact information is not immediately known. Similar techniques have also been used by investigators to locate witnesses in criminal trials.[1]
Terminology[edit]
Other terms include to skip trace, or debtor and fugitive recovery.[2] A skip tracer is someone who performs this task, which may be the person's primary occupation. The term "skip" (as a noun) refers to the person being searched for, and is derived from the idiomatic expression "to skip town", meaning to depart (perhaps in a rush or perhaps hoping to elude creditors or law enforcement). As such, the skip tracers need to track down ("trace") the "skip" to their new location. The term "skip" is "attested by the mid 14th century, meaning 'to run, go, rush, flee,' and also 'to make off, hasten away'."[3]
Methods[edit]
Skiptracing is performed in stages. The first step is gather the basic information about the person, such as first, middle, and last name, variants (e.g. Robert may go by "Rob"), aliases, and nicknames. The person's date of birth, last known physical addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers are also important. The person's social media pages may yield clues about their whereabouts. The skip tracer also gathers historical information such as the names of schools the person attended, as this can generate leads about friends who might know their whereabouts. Skip tracers also gather information about the person's friends, family and business associates.
Then the skip tracer will start collecting as much information as possible about the subject using Internet searches, databases, public records, and their network of contacts. Often, the job becomes more than research since one must usually employ methods of social engineering, which involves calling or visiting former neighbors or other known contacts to ask about the person, sometimes under false or misleading pretenses.[4]
Records or Information that skip tracers use may include phone number databases, credit reports (including information provided on a loan application, credit card application, and in other debt collector databases), job application information, criminal background checks, utility bills, Social Security, disability, and public tax information.[5] While some of these records may be publicly available, some cannot be accessed without an appropriate search warrant, or a specific permissible purpose, which is generally only available to financial institutions, their contracted third-party vendors, law enforcement or licensed private investigators.[6]
Even when no specific information is returned, public and private databases exist that cross-reference skiptracing information with others the "skip" may have lived with in the recent past. For instance, if previous records show a "skip" lived in the same house as a third party, the third party may also be skiptraced in an effort to locate the primary target.[2]
The next step is to verify the information. The information is then analyzed and verified, eliminating some leads as outdated or associated with the wrong person. Sometimes the person's current whereabouts are in the data, but are obfuscated by the sheer amount of information or disinformation.
In the past, skiptracing included such things as dumpster diving and pretext calls to utility companies. Currently, skip tracing is largely conducted online using paid databases and phone calls to gather and verify information.[7] Modern social media platforms such as Facebook have greatly simplified skiptracing work.[2]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Bohm, David (2007-02-15). Practical Handbook for Professional Investigators. doi:10.1201/9781420006407. ISBN 9780429245268.
- ^ a b c Lyons, Brad (12 January 2018). "Skip Tracing Manual 2018" – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Skip". www.etymonline.com. Online Etymological Dictionary. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ Blake, William F. (February 1, 2013). A manual of private investigation techniques : developing sophisticated investigative and business skills to meet modern challenges. Charles C Thomas. pp. 147–165. ISBN 9780398088569.
- ^ Miller, James (2018-08-20). "What is Skip Tracing and How You Can Use It [2019 Update]". Searchbug Blog. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
- ^ Ball, Craig. "Cybersleuthing for People Who Still Can't Program Their VCRS". GPSolo.
- ^ Harms, Steven; Larson, Aaron (2009-07-31). Credit & collections kit for dummies. John Wiley & Sons. p. 197. ISBN 978-0470555408.