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license number?  Do you know what they do for a living?  Do 
they have any kids?  Have you ever talked with them?  What 
did they have to say? 
Skiptracing By Mail
a)	Remember, a debt collection agency may not send 
correspondence through the mail that indicates  the sender 
is a debt collector. 
b)	The Post Office will search their records and give you 
the new address, if one exists, for $1.00. 
c)	The Post Office is also a pretty good source of 
information to get additional data on the debtor (if they 
rented) by tracing the 9-digit zip code.  These 9 digit zips 
can supply more specific data that can be used for further 
tracing. 
d)  Try mailing an empty envelope (with your return mailing 
address) to the last known address with the notation in the 
bottom right-hand comer "POSTMASTER: FORWARDING AND ADDRESS 
CORRECTION REQUESTED If there is a forwarding address the 
post office will send this information to you for 
(currently) a $50 fee. 
e)  "RETURN TO SENDER" is your first sign of trouble and 
indicates your debtor is probably a skip. 
f)  Carefully examine all returned mail that is 
undeliverable for clues. 
g)  "NOT HERE" is a typical Post Office wording that 
indicates the debtor is no longer there.  
h)  "NOT THERE" is not normally used by the Post Office and 
indicates it was probably written by someone still at that 
address. 
i)	 MOVED-NO FORWARDING ADDRESS" indicates the debtor is 
probably a true skip. 
j) FORWARDING ORDER EXPIRED" indicates the time limit for 
forwarding has run out (you may get lucky and check with the 
post office and get a copy of the forwarding order). 
k) "CERTIFIED MAIL/RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED" is useful when 
you need confirmation of a piece of mail being delivered and 
also to verify who signed for it. 
l)	"RESTRICTED DELIVERY" assures that the target debtor 
receives the mail.  This is a premium service and costs 
extra. 
m) "FORWARD" will show the target debtor's new address if on 
file and will show the return item from the post office. 
n)  "RETURN TO SENDER IF NOT DELIVERED ON FIRST ATTEMPT" is 
used if you are trying to keep from tipping your hand that 
you are searching for the target debtor.  Without this 
instruction, your target will be able to claim the letter at 
the post office and will know that you're looking for them.  
In addition, you  still would not have a certified address. 
Skiptracing By Telephone 
a)  Making telephone contact is the most effective, fastest 
and cheapest method. 
b)  Use good timing when contacting your informants in order 
to gain their maximum cooperation.  Don't forget the time, 
place and type of person you are attempting to contact. 
c)  Avoid calling early in the morning, when your informant 
is trying to get kids to school and themselves to work, or 
at dinnertime.  
d)  Always leave a phone number (preferably toll-free) for 
informants to call you back. 
e)	Identify your informant.  Always know who you are talking 
to and verify their name and address. 
f)  Identify yourself, stating only your name.  Don't 
identify your employer, unless they specifically ask you to 
do so.  If informant asks you to identify your employer, 
simply state the name of the original creditor (not your 
Collection Agency name).  
g)  Tell your informant you need their help.  Be courteous 
and friendly.  Try to build a rapport with your informant 
immediately ... this will encourage them to respond. 
h)	Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (Public Law 
95-109) you can only contact your target debtor at their 
place of residence, their place of employment or the 
telephone number you have on record.  
i) Use psychology on your informant.  Silently wait for them 
to make the next move.  Wait for them to respond.  Be 
patient. 
j)  Listen closely for information and leads.  Analyze 
everything the informant says to you since they may give you 
leads to other sources of information.  
k)  Analyze the informant's attitude.  Be alert for 
inadvertent clues and listen closely for inconsistencies.  
l)  Question your informant.  Your questions may help turn 
up more information than the informant realizes they know.  
Limit your questions to acquisition of location information. 
 Be sure to phrase all of your questions in a positive 
manner.  Sound confident that you have the right 
information, even though you may be attempting to bluff 
information out of your informant.  
m)  Be prepared for any questions your prospective informant 
may have for you.  You should try to structure all of your 
answers with a combination answer and counter-question of 
your own.  This counter-question will usually prevent the 
informant from asking you any additional questions.  If the 
informant should ask, tell them that you need to contact the 
debtor about a business matter. 
n)	Close your call.  As soon as you have all of the 
information you want or all you think you can get from this 
particular informant, end the call.  
o) Don't allow time for the informant to ask you too many 
questions.  Take your information and end the call. 
Additional Sources Of Information
a)  Old and new telephone directories.
b)  Criss-cross directories.  One section lists households 
and businesses by street name and number; another section 
lists all telephone numbers by exchange and lists to whom 
that number is assigned.  
c) City directories.  Information obtained by direct 
canvassing of the city by mail, phone and sometimes even 
personal contacts.  Most residents of the city are included, 
even those with unlisted phone numbers.   City directories 
are usually divided into four sections: 
Business and professional firms
Names of residents and businesses listed alphabetically
Listing of households and businesses by street name
Telephone numbers (in numerical order) followed by the names 
and addresses of the person(s) or business(es) to whom the 
telephones are listed 
Who Do You Contact?
a)  Go back through all/old files on debtor.
b)  Contact former or current neighbors.
c)  Contact former or current friends.
d)  Contact relatives.
e)  Former employers.
f)  Apartment managers or landlords.
g)  Local stores, service stations, barber/beauty shops, 
restaurants or bars the debtor may have frequented. 
h)  Social services agencies.
I)  Schools, alumni associations, PFAS, etc.