A friend of mine started dating someone she met online and texted me: "Hey, ever heard of this guy?" A quick Google search revealed everything: his workplace (company website), home address (property appraiser site), his kids' school (tagged in a Facebook post), and even a DUI from college (found in county court records).
With so much information readily available online, one might ask: does professional skip tracing still matter? Why hire a private investigator when a quick Google search can seemingly do the trick? Here’s why expertise and professional resources in skip tracing are irreplaceable:
Expertise
Clients don't just pay for the time it takes to find someone—they pay for years of expertise that streamline the process and ensure accuracy. Interpreting data correctly is key. While anyone can gather information, it takes professional expertise to analyze it and connect the dots meaningfully. Your years of education, licensing, and experience are what clients truly value. This specialized knowledge allows you to paint a clearer picture from data fragments, delivering insights beyond what's immediately available.
Always remember to communicate this value when setting your rates—clients are paying for the entire skillset you've built over time.
Access to Proprietary Data
Your professional credentials provide access to exclusive databases and regulated information that the average person cannot legally access. These sources are critical for locating individuals, ensuring public safety, enforcing court orders, and tracking financial accountability. While public records serve transparency, certain proprietary information remains protected to prevent misuse by criminals.
This level of access and the responsibility that comes with it isn't something a regular citizen can obtain or handle. Your role is vital in keeping dangerous individuals from evading the law and ensuring missing persons can be found.
Time is Money
Skip tracing isn't a "one-and-done" task; it often involves monitoring subjects across multiple cases and requires ongoing attention. With your laser focus on finding the subject, you allow clients—whether they're law enforcement agencies, businesses, or attorneys—to focus on their own responsibilities. By offloading the complex task of tracking people to you, they save valuable time, knowing you’ll handle the intricacies of the search.
Skip Tracing: More Than Data
The truth is, skip tracing isn't just about finding information—it's about providing safety, accountability, and expert analysis. While anyone can Google a name, the insight and context you offer as a professional skip tracer are what make the difference. Your expertise serves not just your clients but also the broader public. In the end, skip tracing is an essential service, ensuring people’s safety and holding individuals accountable.