low-cost and effective collection...

Low-cost and Effective Collection Measures

Jo Roberson, Orange CountyKim Simpson, Durham CountyLorie Domnas, Durham CountyChris McLaughlin, SOG

You have many options in your collection methods

Levy

Garnishment \

AttachmentS

Research

But before you determine which method to use, start with your research.

Skip-Tracing

Commonly used term in collections work

Refers to the research necessary to locate taxpayers in order to initiate enforced collections.

With new internet resources we have a lot of tools at our fingertips to assist us.

This is not an all inclusive list but it does illustrate some common tools.

Research Research

Skip-Tracing

ACCURINT

AA

Accurint

Commonly used web-based application that has been very useful for tax professionals.

Basic searches are only $.35

Owned by the Lexis-Nexis company.

Has the ability to perform “batch”matches.

Secured site that requires a sign on and password to access.

Someone in the office needs to have administrative privileges in order to manage users and passwords.

Management can generate reports to monitor usage and volume.

Accurint

Using Accurint.com

Sign In

Main Screen

The Price is Right for the Person search – only $.35

Permitted Uses

Driver’s Privacy Protection Act Compliance

Search Screen

If you know the person’s social security number, always search with that first. If not, enter as much information as you know to narrow your search.

Search Screen

Results Screen

If you need to research the address further, you can click on the social security number which will give you all associated addresses with your taxpayer. You will be charged an additional .35 as this is considered another search. An additional search under Lorie’s name produces 41 records. This can be exported to excel if needed by clicking the link above.

Searches

AA

FREE

Free SearchesPhone number searches

www.anywho.com

www.whitepages.com

www.phonenumber.com

The link to most of the major mortgage lenders and their contact information:http://www.foreclosuresmass.com/about/lenders.html

Free Searcheshttp://www.zabasearch.com/

www.peoplefinders.com

www.lycos.com

www.spokeo.com

www.facebook.com

www.myspace.com

www.google.com

Secretary of State’s Website

• Useful resource for corporate records of corporations registered to do business in North Carolina.

• Can determine mailing addresses or contact info for officers in the company.

FREE

Secretary of State’s Website

Secretary of State’s Website

Secretary of State’s Website

Secretary of State’s Website

You can click to view document filings. Many times you can find a phone number this way.

Secretary of State’s Website

i.e. Phone number listed on an Annual Report

Employment Security Commission

Signup for service through the state.

You must have the taxpayer’s SSN.

You can obtain income/salary information and determine where to serve your garnishment.

Information is updated quarterly.

ESC Sign-on Screen

Opening Menu

Select B for UI Benefit System

W6 is the command to get to the wages screen.

Enter the SSN

You get quarterly wage info and last report date and employer info.

T takes you to the screen for employer info.

Enter emm and the account number from the earlier screen

This gives you the info to submit a garnishment.

Time to Play!You are researching delinquent Joe Taxpayer. You:

Look him up on www.anywho.com, get his phone number, and call him (no answer)

Look him up by name and address on Accurint. Click on his Social Security number to make sure you have his most current address

Look him up in ESC with his social security number. You get his wages summary, and then go further to get his employer information.

$$$$ How much has this search cost you? $$$$