DON’T LET YOUR DEBTORS DISAPPEAR WITHOUT A TRACE
The Better Payment Practice Group (BPPG) has provided new guidance for businesses that are struggling to get paid by customers who seem to have disappeared.

The new information on tracing techniques has been launched on the BPPG’s website, and provides basic, practical tips on how to track down debtors who fail to respond to demands for overdue payments. In addition, visitors to the new section of the site can find advice on steps that can be taken to minimise the likelihood of this situation arising in the first place.

Tracing is a highly specialised and skilled activity which has to be undertaken with due regard to the Data Protection Act. The BPPG’s advice is intended to aid businesses in taking the first easy steps to verify the whereabouts of a debtor. Should these steps fail, then the Group advises businesses to pass the debt on to a specialist tracing or collection agent.

Stephen Lewis, Member of the Better Payment Practice Group and representative of the Credit Services Association commented, “Businesses will no doubt agree that there is nothing more frustrating than issuing an invoice for work that has been carried out in good faith, only to find it returned marked ‘gone away’ or ‘addressee not known’. It can be difficult to know where to start when dealing with a situation such as this ­ the BPPG’s tracing tips can help get the ball rolling, or at least help businesses quickly decide whether to employ professional collectors.”

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