Skip Trace Tutorial
How to understand and utilize your Comprehensive Skip Trace Report
We provide comprehensive and very detailed reports, so it's recommended that you start by 'highlighting' each section of the report to help you break it down and determine which sections you need to focus on based on the particular situation.
Next you should look at the 'date last verified' in each section and highlight the most recent dates. These listings will likely be the most useful to you.
Now you have a starting point. We realize that the reports we provide can seem overwhelming at times, but it is our intent to provide you the best information that we can. We believe when it comes to finding the Subject you are looking for, there can never be too much information. This is especially true when you are seeking the owner of a vacant house where you stand to make a lot of money.
SEARCH TIP: To look for a specific name, street etc. on a lengthy report, use the following Windows commands:
Edit menu, Find (CTRL F), Find what: Enter the first name, last name, street name, relatives name, etc. and click Find Next.
This will take you right to any entries matching what you entered in the box.
This is good for when a person has used alias names (AKA) and the name you are searching is embedded in this area on the report making it hard to find.
Description of the Sections:
SUBJECT INFORMATION
The first section of the report is called “Subject Information”, and in many cases, contains all the information you need to find the Subject you seek. It's where you'll find some or all of the following.
Name: Full name
DOB: Date of birth
SSN: (Confidential) along with date and state issued.
AKA: Other names used along with DOB, Age, SSN
DEATH: Date if reported when applicable
MOST LIKELY CURRENT ADDRESS
This is the most recent address, on record, showing the dates verified there and a phone number when available. (This will not appear on all reports, if not available.)
In many cases the information in these first two sections is all you need. It's those times when it's not enough that you will need some or all of the additional information provided.
When a phone number is listed and it may lead you directly to your Subject, and if so, you're done. Or if there is no phone number but there's an address, you can send mail or you can use a reverse directory to find their phone number. There is not always a phone number listed for your subject.
The availability of a current phone number and address will have everything to do with the actions taken by your subject after vacating their last known address. If your subject has moved in with a friend or family member, and has not turned on a phone, power, applied for credit of any kind, there may not be a current address or phone number. It is important for you to understand that we make no guarantees as to what the report will contain. It is completely beyond our control. Our “No records – No Fee” Policy is clear and we ask that you take a moment to read and understand it. It is located here.
Using a reverse directory is a great way to take a current address and use it to find the phone number (if it's not in the report) and/or if there is a phone number and you want to verify a current address. You will find a reverse directory at your local library or on line at here.
PROPERTY OWNERSHIP
If the Subject has owned property in the past, this information will appear here. For people who have not owned property this section will not be available.
If your Subject has moved or abandoned the property, this will help you verify that the address is correct and that your Subject did in fact own it. Maybe you had the address slightly wrong and that was the reason why the owner didn't get the letter you mailed.
PREVIOUS OR NON VERIFIED ADDRESS(ES)
This section is repeated for each of the addresses as listed in the “Most Likely Current Address” section. It gives you current ownership info on the property your Subject previously owned or lived in.
In addition, you'll get information about the neighbors and possible geographic relatives near this address. This info may include name, address and phone numbers.
This section shows previous addresses owned or lived in by your Subject going back as many as 10 years with phone numbers when available.
What if the Subject you seek decided to move back in with a previous spouse, significant other, or family member? You just might find them at a prior address.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Name, address, SSN and phone numbers when available for neighbors of the current address.
Neighbors can be very useful when you are unable to find the Subject with the information in the first section. It's common for ex-neighbors to stay in touch and so it's likely that one or more of them will lead you to the Subject you seek.
POSSIBLE GEOGRAPHIC RELATIVES
This shows up to 10 possible geographic relatives. These are possible relatives on file with addresses and phone numbers (if available) that are geographically close to the previous addresses.
When the info in the first two sections doesn't easily lead you to the Subject you seek, info about relatives can be very useful. Maybe the Subject you are looking for is a senior citizen and in a nursing home. That Subject may be sick and\or unable to talk with you. If you reach a relative listed on the report they may be able to help you with the information you are looking for. Or if the Subject is deceased, their relatives are exactly who you need to contact.
POSSIBLE ASSOCIATES
This section shows names, addresses, DOB, age range and phone numbers, if available, of possible associates. Also, the approximate dates they lived in the property is listed so you can determine the most recent to start with.
Maybe the Subject you are looking for is a single child and has no known relatives. You just might find them under this section through Possible Associates. This could be a previous roommate. Another source for Associates is people with whom your Subject has applied for credit jointly with. An example would be partners in a rental property, business, auto, etc.
POSSIBLE RELATIVES
This section shows up to 10 possible relatives along with their names, addresses, DOB, age range and phone numbers, if available. This is different than the “geographic relatives” listed for previous addresses in that they could be anywhere in the country.
This list of relatives can include those that are far away and maybe even heirs of the deceased owner.
As the variables are always different for each search situation, you will need to determine what sections are of most value to you on each Skip Trace.
The idea is to start at the top and work your way down, until you find your Subject. Some will require a little more digging than others. And remember there's nowhere else you can get all this information in one report for such a small price.
Now use it wisely and go make money!
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