There are many important aspects of a process server’s duties. One often overlooked job is the skip tracing aspect. Skip tracing is a very effective tool in getting to know a subject and finding their whereabouts no matter where they might be. This can be a difficult task because typically, the people that the process server is searching for do not want to be found.
Why Skip Tracing is Important
To serve an individual with paperwork for either an eviction or a subpoena, the process server needs to do it in person. To do this, they need to know where to locate their target. The person might be at their home, but there are techniques that allow a process server to pinpoint the location of their query if their home is either not listed or they are staying away from it.
Manual Search
Searching for their target using old school detective work still has its place within skip tracing. Cracking open a phone book and looking for names and addresses can still be effective. In addition, going to a local municipality record center could still yield hard copies to get the knowledge they might need.
In addition to these searches, interviewing neighbors, friends, or in some cases, their place of work, will also give important information on the subject’s whereabouts. While technology has made the search easier, these tactics should not be entirely forgotten.
Internet Searching
With the advent of the internet, finding someone has become a lot simpler. Depending on the subject, visiting a social media site will not only give you an idea of where they live and who their family and friends are, but it also will allow for an up-to-the-minute location of where they are or will be in the near future.
It also provides you with a current picture, so you know exactly what they currently look like. This allows the process server to use precise movements to carry out tasks efficiently and effectively.
