Skip tracing is often seen as a straightforward task: find a person, serve a document, move the matter forward. In reality, it’s anything but simple. Many lawyers experience frustration when skip tracing efforts come back empty-handed—delaying proceedings, increasing costs, and in some cases jeopardising outcomes, as well as client relationships.
So why does skip tracing aka person location services fail?
The truth is, there are multiple layers of complexity involved in locating individuals—and many of them are easily underestimated.
The Reality: People Don’t Want to Be Found
One of the most common reasons skip tracing falls short is simple: people actively avoid being located.
Some individuals leave the country entirely, making traditional search methods ineffective. Others change their name, either formally or informally, making records difficult to trace. In more concerning cases, the name originally provided may have been completely false, leaving investigators chasing a person who technically doesn’t exist.
Then there are those who deliberately stay “off the radar”—living with friends or relatives, or moving between short-term arrangements. Many reside in hostels, share houses, or as cash-paying flatmates, leaving little to no formal record of their whereabouts.
These are not rare scenarios—they are everyday challenges in modern investigations.
The Bigger Issue: The Wrong Tools for the Job
While these obstacles are significant, one of the biggest reasons skip tracing fails is far less obvious: the investigator simply doesn’t have access to the right tools.
Not all private investigators are operating with the same capabilities. Many rely on basic databases or outdated methods that only scratch the surface. The reality is that effective skip tracing requires advanced, often costly tools and data sources—resources that are simply out of reach for the average investigator.
At Rampart Consulting, we’ve made a conscious investment in ensuring our team has access to the best possible tools available in the industry. These tools allow us to go deeper, connect data points more effectively, and uncover information others miss.
Structure Matters More Than Luck
Another key difference between a failed trace and a successful skip trace is the investigative approach.
Without a structured methodology, leads fall through the cracks. A name gets searched once, a database gets checked, and when nothing obvious appears—the trail goes cold.
We don’t rely on chance.
Rampart uses a systematic, multi-layered approach to person location. Every case follows a structured process designed to eliminate gaps, cross-check information, and build a clear intelligence picture over time. This ensures that even when initial leads are weak, the investigation continues in a deliberate and targeted way. It also means we can explain how we came to our conclusions.
You Get What You Pay For
It’s no secret that there are cheaper options when it comes to skip tracing. But cost alone shouldn’t be the deciding factor—because a cheaper investigation that doesn’t deliver results often ends up costing more in the long run.
Paying for incomplete work means:
At Rampart, we recognise that we may not be the cheapest option. But we are focused on delivering results. Our combination of experienced personnel, premium tools, and proven methodology is designed to get the job done properly the first time.
The Bottom Line
Skip tracing doesn’t fail because it’s impossible—it fails because it’s complex, and too often underestimated.
People who are being chased for legal matters change identities. They move frequently. They actively work to avoid detection. And without the right tools and approach, they stay hidden.
For lawyers, the key is working with a provider who understands these realities and is equipped to overcome them. Because in legal matters, half a job isn’t just inefficient—it can make all the difference to your outcome and whether you keep the client or lose not just the client but also your good reputation.