Skip Tracing
Skip Tracing for Legal & Private Clients We Locate Individuals Globally
Australia’s leading skip tracing and online investigations team. Our investigations combine open‑source intelligence, custom databases and proprietary techniques to trace and locate people. Each investigation is undertaken confidentially and in support of intended legal proceedings.
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We never share or sell your data — 100% confidential.
What is Skip Tracing?
Skip Tracing. is the professional process of locating a person whose whereabouts are unknown. The term comes from the term “skipping town” and the person being searched for is the “skip”. In general terms, a skip trace is a private investigation to locate someone. The examples below are where a skip trace would assist to locate someone in Australia.
The person has disappeared. A debtor, former partner, tenant or witness in an upcoming case can no longer be found. Calls go unanswered, emails bounce and the last address you have is no longer valid.
You’re stuck without an address. Legal action, serving documents, recovering money or simply getting closure is impossible if you don’t know where they are or how to contact them. We can assist you with locating someone in Australia.
The stakes are real. It could be unpaid debts, stalled court matters, beneficiaries that need locating, witness testimony requirements or a defamation case. You need an accurate, confirmed address to be able to progress your case or hold someone accountable.
Dan Halpin
Founder & CEO
Cybertrace is led by Founder and CEO Dan Halpin, who has more than two decades of experience in investigations, intelligence and security risk management across public and private sectors. His background includes work with Australian intelligence (ASIO), Australian Federal Police, and government agencies. This experience informs Cybertrace's practical, evidence-focused approach to cyber fraud and scam investigations.
- 20+ Years' Experience
- Australian Intelligence (ASIO)
- Australian Federal Police
Why Cybertrace For Skip Tracing?
Our team of licensed and experienced private investigators conduct discreet skip tracing investigations that deliver results.
We don’t take guesses
Our skip tracers use proficient investigative tools, Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) results, government and corporate records, social media and other closed-source datasets to deliver results. By combining these tools and databases with our experience and knowledge, we can follow the cyber footprint to gain answers.
Skip tracers don’t just “Google” a name; they cross-reference vast amounts of data to build a profile of where a person is likely to be.
Step-By-Step Process For Skip Tracing Investigations
Step 1: Data collection: Our Investigators start with what they know, which is usually a name, the last known address, email addresses and phone numbers.
Step 2: Database analysis: They then use custom and proprietary databases which are often only accessible to licensed professionals. We use a combination of domestic and international databases, depending on the need. The datasets contain a range of data types including consumer records.
Step 3: Digital footprints: They analyse social media accounts, professional networking sites, and even public records like funeral notices, Company and business records and property titles.
Step 4: Human intelligence: If digital trails go cold, and with our Client’s consent, our Investigators may use ‘old school’ techniques such as contacting family, former neighbours, landlords, or known associates.
Step 5: Reporting: Our Investigators then compile a comprehensive and professional report for our Client. Unlike many providers, we compile a hybrid-style report which includes both evidence and intelligence assessments. Should we be unable to locate the person, our intelligence will provide solid recommendations based on the information compiled during the skip trace investigation.
What to expect with our delivery: Our clients receive a structured, evidence and intelligence based skip trace report that discusses the work concluded within our investigation, and all of our findings. Our reports can then be used to serve papers to the individual, support legal cases and in some cases provide peace of mind.
Who Do We Work With?
Specialised skip tracing and investigative support and solutions for companies, individuals and agencies.
Law Firms And Legal Professionals
We assist in locating witnesses, respondents and defendants. If someone has relocated overseas, we use international capabilities and tools to locate them globally.
Debt Recovery And Credit Agencies
To support the lawful recovery of debt or credit, skip trace services can be extremely important.
Corporations And Businesses
We can support clients who need to locate individuals for compliance issues, workplace investigations and commercial matters.
Private Clients
Our investigations are conducted professionally and confidentially to locate estranged spouses, parents, assist in custody cases, divorce, or child support matters.
What Do Our Clients Say?
Law firms, creditors and private clients who needed to locate hard‑to‑find individuals
How Does it Work?
We can provide actionable evidence and information that can be used in support with decision making, legal issues and of course, closure.
- Initial Consultation We begin with a confidential consultation to understand your situation and the information you already have.
- Data Collection And Assessment The team will need to accurately review and assess the relevant records to determine our investigation strategy.
- The Investigation Our investigation teams will begin the investigation using a range of advanced tools, proprietary databases and investigative methods.
- Review And Verification All investigations undergo a review process to ensure accuracy and verification of results.
- Report Outcome All reports are produced to a legal standard and cases are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
We never share or sell your data — 100% confidential.
Questions We Hear Most
A skip trace investigation will typically take our investigators around 2 weeks to complete.
We can often identify the individual’s contact details, social media accounts, employment, and of course, their location. Skip tracing is all about locating the person!
Yes, it is legal to locate someone. We carefully assess each request to ensure there is a legitimate reason for the investigation before proceeding. This helps ensure our work is conducted ethically, responsibly, and in accordance with applicable laws.
The more information we have on the person to be located, the better. The type of details that help is as follows:
· Full name
· Date of birth
· Past addresses or general area lived
· Contact details
· Any links to known social media accounts
· Companies and businesses.
Skip tracing is an investigation to confirm where someone resides. Our investigators have access to data and records that others don’t. We conduct searches of investigative databases, tenancy and property ownership records, company and business registrations, websites/domains, social media, court attendance records and open source investigations (OSINT). Cybertrace investigators are known for providing valuable intelligence that others don’t provide.
Very. Our clients rely on our skip tracing services and results to proceed with legal action, serving documents, surveillance or finding someone dear to them. Whilst no investigation has a guaranteed outcome, we are known for providing accurate information.
We can. It can be more challenging, however we have achieved success in past cases where the individual has legally changed their name.
If someone has moved interstate, that’s not a problem. We can conduct skip tracing in Australia and overseas. If someone has moved overseas, we can still help. Cybertrace specialises in international investigations, and we are not bound by borders. However, international skip traces can be more complex.
No. Our investigations remain completely confidential and covert. Only if our clients instruct us to make overt enquiries does the person ever find out about an investigation. In almost all cases though, our investigations remain completely confidential.
We provide all clients with a comprehensive investigation report. Our reports outline what searches were conducted, what leads were followed and what results were achieved.
Whilst we maintain a very high success rate, not all cases are successful. If the investigation is not successful, then our report will outline all efforts undertaken. The investigation is not refundable for an unsuccessful case.
Yes. In many cases, we are hired to locate people who are purposefully hiding. Our team is turned to for complex cases.
We ensure that all investigations are conducted in accordance with all relevant laws and regulations. A skip trace investigation is an online investigation and does not include an investigator physically attending a property or conducting field work.
Whilst we maintain a very high success rate, we cannot guarantee a result. In the assessment of your case though, we can often determine the likelihood of success and advise you of any complications.
If you have a question that has not been answered here, complete a contact form or call us.