How hard is it to trace a debtor?
Tracing debtors isn’t always easy. People move. People lie. People die. Company directors hide behind tower block addresses in London. If you are about to engage financially with any company or individual — whether it’s your best friend or family — you still need to be one step ahead, every time.
And before anyone tells me that directors have anonymity when it comes to their own personal details if they wish – I don’t care. I have seen too many directors get away with billions in fraud over the years. It is about time people got the upper hand.
DIY Debtor Tracing: Embrace Your Inner Sherlock (or not)
Stage 1
Yes, you can attempt to trace debtors yourself. You can start with search engines and social media. Just Google their name, throw in a city or job title, and boom – maybe you’ll find them. Or maybe you’ll just find 500 people with the same name who also enjoy collecting stamps and have nothing to do with your missing money. The more obscure the debtor’s name, the easier to trace.
Stage 2
There are also free databases and public records you can try. It’s like going on a digital scavenger hunt! Genealogy websites and even obituaries might offer some clues. But be warned: online information can be outdated.
Here are some links to databases that may help:
| Organisation | What can you use it for? | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Companies House | Sometimes has the director’s home addresses. | Click here |
| Insolvency Register | You can search for bankruptcies, which will usually reveal the subject’s address. | Click here |
| Often gives away where your debtor works. | Click here | |
| Land Registry | Confirm if your debtor owns address you’ve traced. | Click here |
Stage 4
If you draw a blank, don’t panic.
Although you may have to put your hand in your pocket a little bit, seeking professional help is definitely worth it – especially if the transaction is big money. Be aware, there are ‘professional’ trace companies out there that will charge a fortune and only use the tools have I have listed above.
I have a lot of contacts in the trace industry. Some are better than others, depending on who or what you need to find. By all means, drop me a message or give me a call on 0161 399 0170 and I will have a look as soon as possible
The Cost of Catching a Debtor: Free vs. Professional Help
Now, about the money. Can you trace debtors for free? In theory, yes. Using the DIY methods above, you *could* track someone down without spending much-to nothing. But time is money, and let’s be honest, your time is probably worth more than the few quid you might save by doing it yourself.
Professional tracing services, on the other hand, do cost money, expect to pay £30-£50 plus Vat.
Trusting the Tracers: No Trace, No Dice?
Ah, the million-dollar question. Can you trust tracing companies to provide accurate data? And will you really not get charged if they can’t find your elusive subject? Some companies offer a “no trace, no fee” or “no win no fee” service. It sounds great in theory, but as the saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I’ll be testing some of these companies over time to give you the lowdown. Stay tuned!
My Twopenn’orth on 192.com & The Reverse Lookup
For now, I’ll direct you to my recent blog article, where I give my detailed opinion of 192.com. It seems to be the most useful online tool available at the moment.
