Definition
Skip tracing is the process of locating a person who has "skipped" out of contact, by finding current addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses through data sources including credit bureau header data, utility and phone records, public records, property records, and proprietary databases. In collections, it is the essential step for the 20% to 40% of placed accounts whose contact data is stale.
Skip tracing is regulated: credit header data requires a permissible purpose under the FCRA and GLBA, and collectors may not misrepresent themselves to obtain location information. Contacting third parties for location information is restricted by the FDCPA to a single contact and no disclosure of the debt.
Example
A placed account has a disconnected phone and returned mail. A skip trace returns a new address from a utility connect, a cell number from a carrier record, and an email from a marketing database. Outreach resumes with a validation notice to the new address.
How HL Hunt handles it
HL Hunt runs automated skip tracing when contact fails, through integrated data partners under permissible purpose, scores each new contact point by confidence, and feeds verified data back into outreach without manual work. Right-party contact rates typically rise 30% to 50%.