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SU News Businesses that sell goods and services on credit must handle accounts receivable. Inevitably, those businesses granting credit must decide what to do with past–due accounts. While third–party debt collectors provide valuable services by collecting delinquent accounts, thus lowering costs that would otherwise be passed on to customers, professional debt collection businesses are often misunderstood. Myth: Statute of limitation erases debt. Fact: A state's statute of limitations doesn't make debt disappear. It just restricts how long a creditor can sue a debtor in court over a debt. Even then, the debtor must typically appear in court to assert the defense that the statute of limitations has expired. Myth: Tough, threatening collectors are the most effective. Fact: The most effective collectors are well trained, sophisticated professionals who (1) understand what motivates a variety of people, (2) can determine quickly what will motivate a particular person and (3) are able to communicate well with others. The best collectors work with debtors get their accounts paid. Myth: Collectors force people into bankruptcy. Fact: In reality, it would not make sense for a collector to encourage a debtor to file for bankruptcy. When people file for bankruptcy, their financial obligations to their creditors are usually wiped clean and the credit grantor and collector receive very little or nothing. Collectors understand that people in financial trouble often need guidance in settling their accounts without expensive litigation, and often need the flexibility of alternative payment arrangements to work out their financial trouble. A collector's business is to collect, but in practice, collecting often includes counseling. Myth: Debtor conflict is the main interest of all collectors. Fact: Media coverage of the collection industry often pits collectors against debtors. In reality, collectors are usually the first people to engage debtors in a problem–solving dialogue about their unpaid bills. Collectors receive many letters of thanks from companies they have helped. Furthermore, the efforts of collectors keep the prices of goods and services from rising. Remember, there is no such thing as an unpaid bill. Through higher prices, customers who do pay their bills end up paying for those who don't. Myth: Debt collectors are a special breed of people. Fact: Collectors come from all backgrounds with different experiences. Collectors often develop new traits and skills: quick–thinking, goal–oriented, problem–solving and effective communication. Tact, persistence and an understanding of people's motivations are traits of a good collector.

Our Services

Sterling United - Worldwide Collections                                                (800) 350-9749

The professionals at Sterling United are ready to step in and step up your collections with a full range of services including:

• Credit Reporting and background checks on your new customers, and applicants.
• Phone and mail contact for past due accounts and personal visits to stubborn debtors.
• Skip tracing and Asset searches
• Advising you on the probability of success should you bring suit.
• Filing suit, either ourselves or through the services of an attorney local to your area.
• Monthly reporting of all collections received.
• Periodic reporting of collection efforts for uncollected accounts

Other Services include:

• Telephone, written, and faxed demand notices
• Physical Pickups
• Bank Account Seizure
• National and International collections
• Free Receivables Consultation
• Toll Free Number
• Latest Computer Equipment
• Credit Reports
• Social Security Searches
• Collection and Legal services (Our local Attorney and referrals are highly competent and aggressive).
• Direct link reporting with the two major credit bureaus

We do not pursue your larger receivables at the expense of the smaller ones. We are structured to collect all sizes of accounts, large or small all on a contingency basis. We use four (4) dunning letters and a follow up legal letter. Our techniques are unsurpassed when it comes to dunning and debt recovery. Every debtor receives all necessary contact using our highly successful collection methods.

Credit Reports and Skip Tracing:

Sterling United ("as AGENCY") uses credit reports and skip-tracing to aid in collection efforts. There is NO FEE for these services. In the event that a debt cannot be collected, Sterling United issues a negative report to the debtor's credit file. The CLIENT is responsible for the accuracy of a negative credit report and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Sterling United from any action resulting from said report. (There is no fee for this service).

At Sterling United, Skip Tracing is a process that uses modern investigative skills and tools to reestablish communications with transient debtors. Skip Tracing is the single most important process employed in the recovery of delinquent receivables. The Sterling United staff is continuously trained in state-of-the-art skip tracing techniques, tools, and etiquette. Our staff has the ability to select the best methods to locate "lost" debtors on a case-by-case basis. By organizing all available bits of information regarding the debtor on our computer system, we are able to develop effective strategies for the diligent pursuit of negligent debtors.

A partial list of Sterling United inquiry targets includes:

• ACA member databases
• References from the debtor's credit application(s)
• Neighbors - past & present
• Directory Assistance
• Internet Search Engines
• Telephone Directories - Surname search
• Credit Bureau reports - (D & B, Experian)
• Licensing bureaus, organizations, and agencies to which the debtor may belong
• Banking and financial references
• National Change of Address databases
• Current or previous Employers
• Department of Motor Vehicles (if applicable)

Sterling United's skip tracing service is like hiring a private eye! The information you give us is the clue we need to solve the “credit crime”. Sterling United's skip tracing procedures involve communications with third parties and searching many public and private databases. We also understand the delicate nature of these questions and maintain the debtor's confidentiality during any such contact with these resources.