If you're noticing a high number of wrong numbers after running a skip trace, you're not alone — and it's not necessarily a sign that something has gone wrong. Here's what you need to know:
Industry Standards
The average accuracy rate across all skip tracing vendors is 50–55%
That means nearly half of the phone numbers returned may not belong to the property owner
This is a standard challenge in the real estate industry, particularly with absentee or hard-to-reach owners
About 8020REI’s Skip Trace Sources
At 8020REI, we use one of the top two skip tracing sources in the country — what we call Source #1.
With Source #1, you can expect:
Around 90% hit rate (records matched with at least one phone number)
However, only 15–20% of the numbers returned are likely to be accurate (i.e., directly connected to the property owner)
Why You Still Get Wrong Numbers
Each record can return 3 to 15 phone numbers to increase your chances of connecting with the owner
However, more numbers also mean a higher likelihood of wrong contacts
In some cases, you'll reach relatives, tenants, or disconnected lines before finding the right one
Best Practices to Reduce Inefficiency
Tailor your outreach based on property priority to improve ROI and minimize time spent on wrong numbers:
| Property Priority | Suggested Contact Strategy |
|---|---|
| Urgent | Call or text ALL phone numbers |
| High | Start with the first 5 numbers |
| Low | Contact only the first 3 numbers |
Summary
Wrong numbers are an unavoidable reality of skip tracing — even with the best data providers. But by using a tiered outreach strategy and understanding the data's natural limitations, you can maximize your contact rate while managing your time efficiently.
Need Support?
Have questions about your skip trace results or how to optimize your outreach? Reach out to your Customer Success Manager or email support@8020rei.com.
