Hiring a Private Investigator to Trace Debtors in the UK

June 12, 2021 - Reading time: 5 minutes
Updated on: August 8, 2025

If someone owes you money and has vanished, you're not alone. Whether it's a former tenant, an ex-partner, or a business client who's gone quiet, it can be frustrating when someone disappears owing you money. Our team specialises in locating debtors across the UK and, depending on the case, we may be able to help on a no-find no-fee basis.

We provide discreet, fast, and effective debtor tracing services for individuals, landlords and companies. If you’ve reached a dead end or have limited details to go on, hiring a private investigator is often the best way to move forward.

Legal Options for Debt Recovery in the UK

If you're owed less than £10,000, you can begin a claim through the Money Claim Online service. If you win the claim and secure a County Court Judgement (CCJ), you can then take steps such as sending bailiffs or applying for enforcement through the High Court.

But all of that relies on knowing where the debtor actually is. If they’ve moved, changed their name, or cut contact, our tracing service gives you a clear way to get back on track.

Need help understanding the legal side of things? You might find our article on statutory demands for debt recovery helpful.

Why Use a Private Investigator to Trace Debtors?

Trained investigators can find people even if they’ve moved several times, changed jobs or tried to cover their tracks. We use a mix of legal databases, field enquiries and other tools to get accurate results. In many cases, we can trace a person with just a full name and a past address.

• Reliable and legal tracing methods
• No-find no-fee available in many cases
• Covering all areas of the UK and some international cases
• Fast turnaround with confidential handling

Tracing Former Tenants

If you're a landlord dealing with unpaid rent or property damage, you're entitled to seek what you're owed. But if the tenant has vanished, you’ll need their new address to take further action. Our investigators can track them down quickly, often when traditional methods have failed.

Don’t Let Time Pass You By

The longer a debtor is gone, the harder it is to find them. Many people assume it’s not worth the effort, but the reality is that a good tracing agent can often locate someone even after years have passed. If you act quickly, the odds of recovery are much higher.

For cases involving financial hiding or avoidance, have a look at our post on how asset tracing works.

What We Need to Start

To trace a debtor, we ideally need their full name and at least one address they've previously lived at. Other helpful details include their date of birth, phone number, social media accounts, or any known workplace. The more information you can provide, the more likely we are to locate them quickly.

Let’s Help You Get What You’re Owed

We’ve helped clients all over the UK find missing debtors and take the next steps toward recovery. If you're ready to get started or just want some advice, get in touch for a free and confidential quote. Our team will talk you through your options and give honest advice on how to proceed.

Contact us today to trace a debtor and move forward with confidence.