Definition
The practice of skip tracing involves utilizing data collection of employment, utility and public tax information, among other sources in order to locate a debtor and obtain contact information.
Analysis
Skip tracing was originally created to assist bounty hunters attempting to track down bail jumpers. However, debt collectors have found that utilizing information from skip tracers can improve their debt collection results.
Skip tracers will supply collection agencies with contact information that may or may not be accurate. Collection agencies will then use the information in order to pursue collection of a past bad debt.
Zombie debt collectors are some of the biggest buyers of skip tracing services. Their debt clients have frequently moved and changed jobs since the debts were incurred.
