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What does a Skip Tracer do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A skip tracer is a professional who specializes in finding people who have skipped out on their obligations, such as debtors or fugitives from the law.

Skip Tracer job duties include:

  • Locate and contact debtors to collect on outstanding debts
  • Research and locate debtors using a variety of resources
  • Verify debtor information and update records
  • Negotiate payment arrangements with debtors
  • Prepare reports on debtor activity
  • Enforce judgments against debtors
  • Locate assets of debtors for seizure
  • Serve legal documents to debtors
  • Perform surveillance of debtors

Skip Tracer Job Requirements

There are no formal education requirements for skip tracers, although many have at least a high school diploma. Certification is not required, but many skip tracers become certified through the American Recovery Association or the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators. Experience is also not required, but many skip tracers have at least a few years of experience in the field.

Skip Tracer Skills

  • Analytical skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Research skills
  • Persistence
  • Patience
  • Creativity
  • Flexibility
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Time management skills

Related: Top Skip Tracer Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Skip Tracer

Skip tracing is the process of finding a person who is missing or has skipped out on a financial obligation. The first step to becoming a skip tracer is to obtain a list of people who are missing or have skipped out on their obligations. This list can be obtained from a variety of sources, including credit agencies, collection agencies, and law enforcement agencies. Once you have obtained a list of potential subjects, you will need to gather as much information about each person as possible. This information may include their full name, date of birth, last known address, and any other identifying information. Once you have gathered this information, you will need to use various resources to locate the person. These resources may include public records, online databases, and private investigators. Once you have located the person, you will need to contact them and attempt to collect the debt or bring them into compliance with their obligation.

Related: Skip Tracer Resume Example

Related: Skip Tracer Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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