Starting a skip-tracing business can be done from home. Skip tracing is an art which involves looking for people for a variety of different purposes. The most common reason for skip tracing is to locate people who owe money and can't be contacted by the lender.This is a highly personalized business which requires the ability to market your business, research your subjects, and talk on the phone in order to conduct the investigations. There is a wide variety of clients and client firms that a skip-tracing company will service. Determining which client type you want to market your services to is an important step in making sure that your new business will succeed.

Things You Will Need

  • Phone

  • Fax

  • Computer

  • Desk

  • File cabinet

  • Target client list

  • Incoming account log

  • Access to investigative databases

Getting Started

Set up your business work area with the desk, filing cabinet, fax machine, and phone.

Go to your local county recorder's government office and file a fictitious business name statement registering your dba business name.

Obtain a business license or business permit from your local, county and/or state authority.

Prepare your marketing materials including your price list, flyers, business cards, letterhead, invoices, and envelopes.

Create a prospective client list including the contact names, addresses, and phone and fax numbers of your prospective clients.

Create an incoming skip-trace assignment log.

Market to your prospective clients by mailing and faxing a flyer and price sheet and following up with phone calls requesting assignments be faxed or emailed to your office.

Log the incoming assignment, prepare a case folder, and set to work locating the subject individual.

Advise your client via fax and phone of the subject's location. Send your client an invoice.

Tip

After locating your subject always find an additional means to verify you have identified the correct individual.

To make sure you get paid, email or fax the subject's location to your client along with the invoice.

Warning

Be certain to check for licensing regulations. Some states and some industries require professional licenses for skip tracing.