Top 5 Tips on Finding the Right Tracing Agent

Tip 1. The Customer is Always Right! Look for Tracing Agent Reviews

The first thing to look for is whether the company the tracing agent works for is any good. How do you do that? You look at what kind of company it is and its customer reviews.

With Vilcol for example, you can clearly see this information on our website.  Our tracing agents investigate all sorts of matters from conmen who have disappeared with someone’s life savings to extended relatives in a sprawling family tree on the other side of the world.

Most trusted tracing agent businesses will have a dedicated section on their website listing reviews from satisfied customers. There’s nothing that can vouch for a reliable professional more than a strong client testimonial, especially when it is from a company that is easily verifiable, as Vilcol’s are.

If there is no customer review section available on the tracing agent service’s website, proceed with caution!

Tracing agents and how to trace a person

 

 

Tip 2. How Long has the Tracing Agent Company Existed?

Next, take a look at how long the tracing agency has been in existence? If you find a well-established, sophisticated and long-standing business that’s been around for more than 38 years, you know you’re in safe hands.

Tracing agent services are used by local authorities, law firms, debt recovery companies, government bodies and private individuals.

When it comes to tracing people, be sure to choose the right agent who you can know will follow the law. As with most industries, there are cowboys who will be glad to take your money and disappear.

With Vilcol, you know where you are.

Tracing agents in the UK

 

Tip 3. Do the UK Tracing Agents have Strong Credentials?

Professional accreditation is another equally important aspect to consider when choosing the right tracing agent.

Vilcol’s credentials are strong, with membership of the Credit Services Association and the Financial Conduct Authority. We are the only tracing agent with membership of the Confederation of British Industry and are also registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Our tracing agents provide a quality, trusted service, going much further than simply finding a person and handing over their location details to you. For example, if you want to track down a debtor, our tracing agents will thoroughly investigate until we find that person. You can also instruct us to locate assets in order to secure reimbursement.

In cases where this is not possible to do without redress to a court, we will advise of this at the earliest opportunity.  Situations like this are rare because if our tracing agents think locating a debtor is not financially viable, we tell you this before you instruct us.

Vilcol can also help if you are trying to trace a person’s employment status.

Tracing agents use several methods in their work, including phone, work and address checks, but if these are unsuccessful, they have access to more sophisticated computer programmes that are not available to the general public. 

Tracing agent software programmes 

Tip 4. Look for Tracing Agent Specialists that Span the World

Vilcol’s tracing agents operate in the UK and across the in more than 40 partner offices.

Our international tracing agents know their localities inside out and have their own specialist support networks on the ground who can help in complicated cases.

Get the best people tracing results with our speedy and efficient investigators who can track down witnesses, lost family members or beneficiaries to wills.

 

Tip 5. Is the Tracing Agent Offering Value For Money?

How much the tracing agent company will charge can make the difference between who you choose to instruct.

A respected agency will usually provide a range of options for its people tracing service. This provides you with the flexibility to choose the package that suits your needs best.

Vilcol’s tracing agent fees are:

  • £45 – to trace a person from an address that’s less than ten years old
  • £85 – to trace a person from an unknown address or one that is older than ten years
  • £175 – for a more involved tracing agent investigation that requires a doorstep trace

All fees are exclusive of VAT. Each of our services will produce a report that will be emailed to you on receipt of payment.  

To speak to a member of Vilcol's award-winning investigations team, email us at customer.care@vilcol.com or call (+44) 020 8038 3827. We look forward to helping you.