The minimum to open a claim
- The debtor's name. For a business, the legal name and any trade name. For an individual, the full name.
- The last address, phone number, and email you have for them.
- The exact balance owed.
- The date the balance came due, or the date of the last payment.
That is enough for collection to begin. Placement takes about two minutes online, or you can call and we pull the accounts with you on the phone.
Documents that strengthen the claim
- A ledger history or itemized statement of the debt.
- The customer registration or application.
- Credit applications, contracts, promissory notes, or agreements, especially anything the debtor signed.
- Invoices and purchase orders.
- Proof of delivery or completion.
- Emails, texts, or letters where the debtor acknowledged the debt or promised to pay.
- A copy of any returned check.
- A copy of the judgment, if you already have one.
Why the documentation matters
Three reasons. A debtor who disputes the balance is answered with the paperwork, not with your word against theirs. An attorney evaluating the account in Phase 2 needs to see what the claim rests on. And if the account goes to litigation, the documents are the case. Documentation is one of the three things we weigh, along with the debtor's assets and the amount, when deciding whether a claim is worth suing on.
The documents also protect you. Confirm the balance is accurate and every credit and partial payment is applied before you place the account.
Do not have everything?
Start with what you have. A debtor who moved, changed numbers, or went quiet is what skip tracing is for: we locate current contact information plus any assets, bank accounts, and property they control. Missing paperwork can be sent as you find it.
Where to send it
Place a claim online at accountsreceivable.com/place-a-claim, or call 321-710-3530. After placement you receive an email requesting the documentation you have; reply to it with whatever is relevant to the accounts.
Common follow-up questions
Do I need a signed contract to send an account to collections?
No. A signed agreement strengthens the claim, but invoices, statements, delivery records, and written acknowledgments of the debt are all usable. Place the account with what you have.
Can you find a debtor who moved or changed their number?
Yes. Skip tracing locates the debtor's current contact information, plus any assets, bank accounts, and property they control.
Should I keep contacting the debtor myself after I place the account?
No. Once you place an account with us, stop all in-house collection activity on it, and report any direct payment the debtor makes to you immediately.
Talk to us
Tell us about the accounts and we put together a free assessment, usually within one business day. Request a free consultation, contact us, or call 321-710-3530. Ready now? Place a claim and we go to work today. No recovery, no fee.