Decide if you should retain either D&B debt collections or another agency Slow-paying and no-paying customers are frustrating for any business, but before you call in the big guns like a D&B debt collection agency, make sure you should and that you can. Take into account whether or not the customer in question has a good prior history with your business and make sure you understand federal laws about collecting debts.

I recommend:  The Federal Trade Commission updates fair debt collection laws online as the government modifies them. These laws tell you when your business has the right to turn an account over to a debt collection agency. If you're not ready to hire an agency but want to try and collect the debt yourself, Work.com, Inc. has an excellent guide on how to write your own debt collection letters.

Find out what Dun and Bradstreet collections (or a similar agency) can do The Dun & Bradstreet collection agency can't make the impossible happen. If your customer closes up shop and flees to Estonia, even the D&B debt collectors probably can't recover your money. But once an account gets delinquent enough to hire a debt collection service, a good service like a D&B debt collection agency will make more progress than your business can on its own.

I recommend:  The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse lists credit laws by state. These are in addition to federal fair debt collection laws, and a D&B collection agency (or other agency) will be restrained by these state laws. To understand how an agency works, you need to interview those at the agency. The law offices of Alexander L. Ullenberg prepared a list of questions to ask a potential debt collection agency.

Select Dun & Bradstreet collection services that match your needs D & B debt collection services vary in price and services, so review the packages before you select a service. Read the fine print about fees so they don't surprise you later, and make sure you understand which services Dun & Bradstreet collections will provide and which may come from a strategic partner.

I recommend:  Dun & Bradstreet, Inc. offers several debt collection services. Look over the options and choose the D & B debt collection service that fits your needs. Receivable Management Services partners with D&B collections and works with international collections.