Wichita Bail Bonds Blog

Bounty hunters do not have the same legal authority as law enforcement, and that includes limitations on tracking cell phones. In most cases, bounty hunters cannot legally use GPS, mobile networks, or third-party software to track someone’s phone without consent or a court order. Doing so could violate federal privacy laws and result in criminal charges or civil liability.

What Bounty Hunters Can Do

Bounty hunters, also known as fugitive recovery agents, are hired by bail bond companies to locate and arrest individuals who have skipped bail. While they cannot use phone-tracking technology the same way police can, they often use other legal tools to locate someone:

• Conduct interviews with friends and family
• Search public records and social media activity
• Visit known addresses and workplaces
• Use surveillance or informants

If a bounty hunter obtains permission from the phone’s owner or user, they may be able to use location-sharing apps or services. Without that permission, cell phone tracking is considered illegal under federal wiretapping and privacy laws.

Limitations and Legal Boundaries

Tracking someone’s phone without their knowledge or a warrant is a violation of federal law, including the Wiretap Act and Stored Communications Act. Only licensed law enforcement agencies can request phone location data from a service provider, and only with proper legal documentation such as a subpoena or warrant.

Any bounty hunter who attempts to illegally access phone data could face serious penalties, including loss of license, fines, or criminal prosecution.

What Is Legal for a Bounty Hunter?

Bounty hunters are allowed to use legal investigative tools and methods to find a fugitive, including:

• Monitoring social media posts for location clues
• Checking jail records, court dockets, or booking logs
• Talking to neighbors, coworkers, or known associates

They can also work with private investigators who may have access to databases and tools that help track someone’s behavior legally. But even private investigators must follow the law when it comes to digital tracking.

Bounty hunters cannot legally track cell phones unless they have consent or are working with someone who voluntarily shares their location. They do not have the same authority as law enforcement and must rely on traditional investigative techniques to locate fugitives. Illegal phone tracking is a serious violation of federal law and can result in major legal consequences.