If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
Skip Tracing and Missing Persons Investigations in Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley
I am a licensed private investigator based in Loudoun County. I help families, attorneys, businesses, and organizations find someone who is missing or cannot be reached. I also locate people to recover money or property.
I am Zach Baumgart, a Virginia-licensed private investigator, Certified Fraud Examiner, and former federal criminal investigator. About me
What Is Skip Tracing?
Skip tracing is the work of finding someone who cannot be reached or is intentionally avoiding being found. To locate the person, I use investigative methods including public records, proprietary databases, interviews, and other sources. I handle every matter in confidence.
People hire me for skip tracing to:
- Recover money or property owed to them
- Locate a debtor, former tenant, or former employee
- Locate a witness for an attorney
- Locate heirs or beneficiaries
- Reconnect with a lost or estranged family member
Missing Person Investigations
When someone you care about is missing, every day matters. I treat every case with care and discretion. I handle missing person investigations for families, attorneys, businesses, and organizations. A missing person investigation helps find someone whose whereabouts are unknown or who has stopped responding.
If you have not already, I encourage you to report the person missing to law enforcement. If you believe a missing person is in immediate danger, or if a child is missing, call 9-1-1 first.
What you can expect:
- I ask about the person, the circumstances, and your connection to the person.
- I work alongside law enforcement and coordinate on the investigation when appropriate.
- I provide regular case updates.
- When I find the person, I confirm the person's identity and report the person's location and contact information to you or your representative.
Cases I Decline
I do not accept a skip tracing or missing person investigation if I determine that locating the person and sharing that information could put that person at risk. Such cases include matters involving allegations of domestic violence, sexual abuse, or child abuse between the client and the person.
Who I Serve
I accept cases from organizations, attorneys, families, and others.
Organizations
Businesses (medical offices, law and financial offices, retail spaces, and restaurants and bars), nonprofits, schools, childcare facilities, and houses of worship that need to locate:
- Former tenants
- Former employees
- Debtors
Attorneys
Attorneys who need to locate:
- Witnesses
- Heirs and beneficiaries
- Debtors
Individuals and Families
Individuals and families who need help finding:
- An adult who has stopped responding or gone missing
- A lost or estranged family member
- Someone who owes you money or property
How It Works
Initial Consultation
A confidential consultation by phone or virtual meeting lasting about 15 minutes. The consultation is complimentary.
Written Contract
A written contract sets out the efforts, the deliverables, and the terms.
The Search
I conduct the search using proprietary databases, open-source intelligence, interviews, and other investigative techniques. I provide you with regular case updates and deliver a written summary of my findings at the end.
Ready to talk it through? The initial consultation is complimentary.
What I Need to Begin
To start a skip tracing or missing person investigation, I need:
- An understanding of your connection to the person and the purpose of the search.
- A signed contract for the service.
- Information about the person, including:
- Name, age, birthday, and place of birth
- Last known address and historical addresses, if known
- Email addresses, phone numbers, and any other contact information, even if it no longer works
- Recent photos, which are extremely helpful
What You Receive
Location and Contact Information
I report the person's location and contact information to you or your representative.
A Written Summary
I deliver a written summary of the investigation, including what I did and what I found.
Regular Updates
I provide case updates on a regular basis, and I am available to discuss the case with you.
My Experience
I spent 17 years as a federal criminal investigator and special agent, including nine years as a supervisory criminal investigator. Locating people, including witnesses, subjects, and fugitives, was part of that work. I now bring that experience to skip tracing and missing person investigations as a Virginia-licensed private investigator and Certified Fraud Examiner.
Where I Work
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between skip tracing and a missing person investigation?
Skip tracing locates someone who cannot be reached, often to recover money or property. A missing person investigation helps a family or an attorney find someone who is missing. Both use similar investigative methods.
Can you find someone who owes me money or property?
Yes. Locating someone who owes you money or property is a common use of skip tracing. I locate the person and report the person's location and contact information to you or your representative. Recovering the money or property is a separate matter, and I recommend consulting an attorney.
Can you search outside of Virginia?
Yes. I can conduct searches outside of Virginia, and meetings can be by phone or virtual.
Can you promise to find the person?
No. I cannot promise a result. I will use all lawful techniques to attempt to find the person and confirm the person's identity before providing you with a result. The contract will spell out the efforts and deliverables.
How long does a search take?
The length of a search depends on the information available, the person's circumstances, and how easily the person can be found. I cannot predict how long a search will take, so I do not provide a timeline for closing a case. I provide regular case updates so you always know where the search stands.
Do you locate anyone who asks?
No. Before I begin, I need to understand your connection to the person and the purpose of the search. I do not accept a skip tracing or missing person investigation if I determine that locating the person and sharing that information could put that person at risk.
Will the person know I am looking for them?
I handle every matter in confidence. I do not disclose that you are looking for the person, and I report my findings only to you or your representative. Whether and how to make contact after that is your decision.
What happens when you find the person?
I report the person's location and contact information to you or your representative, along with a written summary of the investigation. I confirm the person's identity before I give you a result. In a missing person case, I also coordinate with law enforcement when appropriate.
Is skip tracing legal?
Yes. I use lawful techniques, including public records, proprietary databases, and interviews. I accept a case only after I understand your connection to the person and the purpose of the search.
Do you work with law enforcement?
Yes. I work alongside law enforcement and coordinate on the investigation when appropriate.
How much does it cost?
The cost depends on the scope of the search, including the information available about the person, the complexity of the case, and the amount of investigative work needed. There is no charge for the initial consultation and the proposal. Generally, the contract will have a retainer payment of $500 to $1,000, which I will draw down as specified in the contract, covering interviews, database searches, and advanced investigative techniques. During our routine updates, I will provide the status of the retainer and whether additional funds will be needed. You will never receive a surprise bill or invoice from me.
Related Services
Each of my services is available individually or as part of a Security Director on Demand contract. Skip tracing and missing person cases can often lead to or also require private investigations and threat assessments. See my full list of services.