Collection Process

Once 1st NationWide receives your account(s) and they are entered into our collections software, the account(s) are then distributed to our experienced collectors for complete collection services.

All accounts entering our system are matched and cross-referenced for duplicate accounts in order to maximize our collection resources. Incorporated into our collection software is skip tracing capability to find elusive debtors and asset identification searching to find property and employment.

PHASE 1: INITIATE CASE FILE

• Review debtor contact information, clients previous collection efforts and documentation supporting claim
• Develop case management strategy, collection tactics and appoint responsible case manager
• Research and obtain current financial and credit data on debtor
• Send out letter to debtor informing them that their account has been placed for collection with our agency

PHASE 2: COMMUNICATE WITH DEBTOR

• Initiate phone contact with debtor to request payment
• Have debtor acknowledge the obligation or acknowledge a dispute
• Determine debtor's willingness to pay obligation in whole or part

PHASE 3: DIALOG WITH DEBTOR DETERMINING:
A) DEBTOR WILL PAY

• Set up payment or payment plan
• Receive payment when due
• Process payment
• Notify the client when debtor has paid and remit payment
• Case file resolved

B) DEBTOR HAS A DISPUTE

• Document exact reason for dispute
• Review file for support documents, supply debtor if appropriate
• Contact the client for additional documentation if necessary to resolve the issue
• Follow up with Phase 2 action

C) DEBTOR WILL NOT OR CANNOT PAY

• Debtor is unwilling to acknowledge obligation and / or is unable to pay
• Proceed immediately to Phase 5

D) NO CONTACT

• Debtor is avoiding contact or is unreachable at contact information provided by client
• Proceed to Phase 4

PHASE 4: FIND ELUSIVE DEBTOR

• Forward to skip-tracing department to find alternative phone and address information for debtor
• Contact client for additional guidance on current debtor location
• Utilize search engines, databases, credit reports and directories to contact debtor at work, through family members or neighbors
• Return to Phase 2 actions with newly acquired address and phone numbers
• Proceed to Phase 5 if no new contact information is obtained

PHASE 5: REPORT DEBTOR TO CREDIT BUREAUS

• Immediately issue a negative credit report to credit bureaus - Trans Union, Experian, and Equifax
• Proceed to Phase 6

PHASE 6: DEBTOR ASSET INVESTIGATION

• Search for attachable assets or other responsible parties for obligation
• Attachable assets discovered, transfer case to in-house litigation coordinator for pre-litigation review and recommendation of potential legal suit with estimated initiation costs
• Proceed to Phase 7
• If no assets or other parties are found, close case file and report to client
• In the event of debtor bankruptcy, verify that the obligation is appropriately listed and barred from further collection - close case file and report to client

PHASE 7: LEGAL ACTION

• 1st NationWide Collection Agency, Inc. obtains client's assignment of claim and permission to initiate case file with attorney for suit
• Client advances anticipated out of pocket filing fees
• Forward to affiliate legal counsel in the appropriate jurisdiction
• In-house legal coordinator maintains communication with client and counsel
• Upon successful determination, obtains judgment and secures attachable assets
• Enforce judgment collection, receive payment, and remit payment to client, notify the client, case file resolved.