Investigating a Debt: What did the Creditor Sell to the Debtor?
What does a debt collector look for when they collect?
What kind of proof do you need to collect a debt?
A debt collector should conduct a thorough investigation into what the client (the business owed money) sold to the customer. This is done to verify the claim and resolve any discrepancies with the debtor. The following items are the basics of an investigation:
- Review of Invoices and Contracts: The first step is usually reviewing the invoices, receipts, or contracts associated with the sale. These documents detail what was sold, the agreed price, and the terms of the transaction. The collector checks to ensure that the goods or services listed match the customer’s purchase, and that no unauthorized charges were added.
- Communication with the Client: The debt collector will communicate directly with the client to gather more details about the transaction. This includes asking for product/service descriptions, dates of sale, delivery records, or evidence of service completion. If there were any changes or adjustments to the sale after the initial agreement, the collector will need documentation of those modifications.
- Customer Correspondence: Any emails, letters, texts, or other recorded communications between the client and the customer should be reviewed. This helps establish whether the customer had concerns, complaints, or issues with the product/service that could affect the legitimacy of the debt.
- Delivery and Proof of Service: If the transaction involved physical goods, the debt collector may investigate delivery records or shipment tracking to confirm the customer received the items. For services, they will look for proof of service, such as completion reports or timesheets.
- Investigation of Discrepancies: If the customer disputes the debt by claiming they didn’t receive the goods or that the services were unsatisfactory, the debt collector will compare all gathered documentation against the customer’s claims. This can lead to negotiations, adjustments, or, in some cases, legal action if the dispute remains unresolved.
Experience a Thorough Commercial Debt Collection Investigation
The commercial debt collection professionals at RSD are committed to thoroughly investigating your collections case. If you have questions, call (248) 370-8160 or submit a contact form. If you’re ready to place a claim, fill out our claim form. We look forward to helping you!