The Top 10 Uses for Skip Tracing

Skip tracing is useful tool for tracking down missing information, people or assets.

The term “skip tracing” is derived from the expression “to skip town,” “where skip” refers to the person who has departed and left no “trace” of their whereabouts.

Though the origins of the term skip tracing may be not be common knowledge, the practice is widely used in many different industries.


How does it actually work?

Skip tracing services utilize a combination of information databases and investigative tools.  Each investigation has its own unique challenges, but the main techniques used in skip tracing investigations are:    

• Database searches
• Online inquiries
• Surveillance
• Telephone Interviews
• In-person Interviews

What is Skip Tracing Used For?

Since skip tracing can be applied in so many different industries, it is a valuable tool that can help you find information, people and even lost assets.

The most commonly used form of skip tracing is in the collections industry.  Skip tracing can be used to locate customers whose accounts are in arrears.  This process typically involves locating contact information such as place of residence and place of employment.

Skip tracing can be used to:

1.  Find beneficiaries.
2.  Find loan borrowers.
3.  Serve legal documents.
4.  Track down defaulting Contractors.
5.  Find vehicles or equipment for repossession.
6.  Locate customer residences and contact information.
7.  Locate former spouses who need to pay alimony or child support.
8.  Locate a lost loved one.
9.  Find a witness to a crime.
10.  Locate a tenant who has skipped out on rent payments.

Finding information can be difficult for those without Private Investigation Licenses due to legislation that limits data collection.  Most often, the skip trace process is a time consuming task that cannot be added onto regular job responsibilities, requiring the hiring of investigator.


The Renwick Group is Canada's leading Private Investigation Company specializing in SKIP TRACING - We locate hidden assets, people, missing autos & boats, witnesses, beneficiaries, property and missing persons.

We will search and locate anyone.  Our success rate is over 90%

Going Beyond the Internet For Asset Searches

The art of locating assets is something that we at the Renwick Group have spent a considerable amount of time cultivating and perfecting.

Asset searching often starts with certain searches on the Internet and databases, but for the really in-depth work, and the tough assignments there is no database available. It therefore takes a lot of original research and creativity to put all the pieces of the puzzle together.

We also have access to networks of Canadian, North American and Worldwide “sources” that we have developed over the years that include connections with other professional investigators and search organizations with whom we have worked for years.

So if you're looking for asset location and recovery services ... always find out if you are using asset relocation investigators who are relying solely on databases, if so, you may be missing out on finding what you need to satisfy your or your client’s needs.

As many clients soon realize, in the Canadian legal system, securing a judgment against a defendant, whether it be an individual or a company, is only half of the battle.

The second half is trying to find the assets to satisfy the judgment.

The Renwick Group is often asked to find bank accounts, stock holdings, real estate and vehicles or any other assets of value, sometimes the assets can be located anywhere in the world.

Our asset investigations can cover all of the following:

• Asset Tracing
• Asset Recovery
• General Financial Investigation
• Bankruptcy Fraud Investigations  
• Money Laundering Investigations  
• Embezzlement Investigations  

The Renwick Group has the knowledge and experience to help businesses with these types of investigations. Please call us at 1 (888) 722-9807 to discuss your corporate requirements.