How to Use LinkedIn for Skip Tracing

Private investigators may use social media websites like the LinkedIn professional network to skip trace a person. Skip tracing is the process of locating a missing person and commonly used by debt collectors to find debtors. Some private investigation experts mention that social networks, including LinkedIn, should only be used as a last resort or to confirm a person's identity.

Instructions

1. Create one or more fake accounts on the LinkedIn website. Although it may be discouraged by the network's usage policy, it's part of the undercover work of a private investigator. You should have more than one account, as you may need to befriend an individual to obtain more information for your case.

2. Go to LinkedIn.com and sign into one of your accounts.

3. Type the person's first and last name in the top search box and click the magnifying glass icon. A list of people with that name appears on the next page. Click the name link for a person to view the full profile. You may have to view many profiles to find a correct match.

4. Write down notes for each profile you visit that meets part of your case criteria. For example, you would record the profile link, current city, telephone number and profession. Make special note if the phone number is listed as a home, office or mobile number.

5. Analyze the data from your notes. Look for solid matches. Once you find a solid match, go back to the LinkedIn profile on the computer.

6. Click the "Add to Your Network" link on the right-hand sidebar. Select one of the reasons from the list on the next page and click the "Send Invitation" button. After the person accepts the invite to connect, you can snoop on his status messages and open up a dialogue to extract more personal information.

References

• Entrepreneur: Take Advantage of Electronic Communication
• Enrepreneur: Going After Overdue Accounts
• PINow.com: Social Media Expert Offers Skip Tracing Tips for Private Investigators