Skip tracing
Skip tracing for creditors: find the unfindable.
Are you having trouble locating someone who owes you money? We match businesses with collection agencies and collection attorneys that use investigators, data tools and techniques to track down debtors thought to be unfindable, whether they moved out of state or even out of the country.
Updated October 17, 2026 · CollectionPlacement editorial team
What skip tracing is
A "skip" is a debtor who has moved, changed numbers or closed the business without leaving forwarding details. Skip tracing is the work of finding a current address, phone number, employer or bank for that debtor so collection can continue. Most collection agencies skip trace as part of working an account, sometimes included in the contingency rate; ask.
Common sources
- Public records: court filings, property records, liens and judgments, business registrations
- Commercial data providers and credit-header data, used with a permissible purpose
- Prior contact information in your own file: credit application, references, guarantors
- Postal, phone and online data
The rules
Access to consumer data is regulated. Consumer reports can only be pulled for a permissible purpose under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. §1681b(a)(3)(A), which includes review or collection of an account. Obtaining a consumer's financial-institution information by pretexting (false statements) is prohibited by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, 15 U.S.C. §6821. A collector covered by the FDCPA must also follow its rules for contacting third parties to get location information (15 U.S.C. § 1692b). These rules are a reason to let a compliant agency do the tracing.
Skip tracing plus collection
Finding the debtor is only half the job. If you need someone located so the debt can be collected, placing the account with an agency that skip traces is usually simpler than hiring a tracer and then an agency. Once the debtor is found and has assets, a collection attorney can sue or enforce a judgment. Fill out the form to see how we can help.
Related
- B2B debt collection guide
- Debt collection agency licensing
- Debt collection laws for businesses
- Statute of limitations by state
Not legal advice. This page is general information, not legal advice, and laws vary by state and change over time. CollectionPlacement is a referral service, not a law firm or collection agency. Consult a licensed attorney about your situation.
How it works
Three steps to placement
One short form replaces calling a dozen agencies.
Tell us about the debt
Debt type, total balance, age, number of accounts and location. Takes about two minutes.
We match you
We review your file and introduce you to agencies or collection attorneys that handle your debt type, size and jurisdiction.
You choose and place
Compare terms (contingency rates, fees, reporting) directly with the partner and place only if it's a fit. No obligation.
Trust & compliance
How we approach compliance
Compliance is the partner's responsibility
Consumer and medical accounts are subject to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Regulation F and state law. We ask partners about their compliance, but agencies and firms are independent and responsible for following the law.
Independent partners
We ask partners about licensing, bonding and the debt types they handle. Agencies and firms in our network are independent and responsible for their own licensing. Check credentials yourself before placing (how to verify a license).
No pressure, no obligation
Matching is free for creditors. You negotiate terms directly and decide whether to place.
Your data, handled carefully
We share your details with the agencies or firms we introduce you to, for the purpose of the introduction.
Frequently asked questions
Do collection agencies do skip tracing?
Most do, as part of working an account. Ask whether it's included in the contingency rate.
Is skip tracing legal?
Yes, when the data is obtained and used lawfully. Consumer reports need a permissible purpose under the FCRA, and FDCPA rules limit how covered collectors contact third parties.
Can you find a debtor who moved out of the country?
Sometimes. Some agencies have international partners. Recovery abroad depends on the country and the debtor's assets.
Free, no obligation
Get matched with agencies that skip trace hard-to-find debtors
Tell us about your receivables. We'll review it and introduce you to collection agencies or collection attorneys suited to your debt type, size and state.