Skip tracing is the process of locating a person's whereabouts, often used by debt collectors, bounty hunters, and private investigators. It involves gathering information from various sources, such as public records, social media, and databases, to track down individuals who have moved or are avoiding contact. The term "skip" refers to the person who has skipped town or is difficult to find, while "tracing" involves the methods used to locate them. Effective skip tracing can help recover debts, serve legal documents, or find missing persons, making it a valuable tool in various fields.