How to tell when you need a debtor tracing service

Debtor Tracing

Unpaid invoices can pose a serious problem for the smooth running of a business. Time spent trying to reach debtors can often lead to hours of work culminating in dead ends, meaning time and energy lost while trying to track a debtor down. Gathering information on the person in question can also be a challenge, but there are useful options available to track down debtors legally and efficiently.

Tracing pitfalls

If you have lost contact with the debtor and they have absconded, trying to reach them can take more than a phone call. But there are pitfalls when it comes to tracing people yourself. If all you have to go on is a name and telephone number or address, you might find it a challenge to get your message to someone who doesn’t want to be found. Navigating the laws connected with debtor tracing can be an even trickier situation. These include rules concerning the use of personal information as covered by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and regulations that protect debtors from harassment set out in the Fair Debt Collection Practises Act (FDCPA)

Establishing contact

Tracing agents offer a time-saving service, helping you focus on your business instead of outstanding invoices or late payments owed to you. If the person you are trying to contact is wilfully avoiding you or even threatening to take action against you, a tracing service can offer assistance to help track down the debtor and re-open lines of communication using approved legal methods.

Tools of the trade

With the use of intelligent tracing software and industry experience, a professional agent can efficiently find and contact absconded debtors on behalf of a creditor. An agent can offer many options as part of the tracing service, such as making discreet enquiries, using software systems to identify addresses linked to the debtor's credit file and even software systems to estimate the person's ability to repay the debt. The initial expense of a tracing agent's services can often be minor compared to the relative cost of the hours lost chasing unsettled invoices.

If you’re struggling to locate a debtor, contact Dukes Bailiffs to discuss how professional assistance from experienced Enforcement Agents can help.