Are you struggling to collect on defaulted loans? Are your borrowers skipping town?
Imagine lending money for a car purchase and the borrower stops making payments. You might assume that repossessing the car is the next logical step. But what if you can’t find the borrower or the vehicle? The scenario isn’t as uncommon as you might think. People move, change their contact information, or even intentionally hide when they know they owe money. This is where skip tracing comes into play.
What is skip tracing?
Skip tracing is the process of locating a person who seems to have vanished or become hard to trace. It is often used by debt collection agencies to find debtors who have skipped out on their loans. Skip tracers use a variety of methods to find people, including searching public records, social media, and contacting friends and family members.
Why is skip tracing important for auto loan collections?
Auto loans are typically large and long-term loans, which means that the consequences of default can be severe. If a borrower defaults on their auto loan, the lender may be able to repossess the vehicle and sell it to cover the balance of the loan. However, if the borrower cannot be located, the lender cannot repossess the vehicle or collect the outstanding balance, creating significant losses for the lender.
Skip tracing can help lenders locate borrowers who have defaulted on their auto loans and avoid losses. By finding and contacting borrowers, lenders and or their collection agencies, can work with them to create repayment plans or negotiate settlements. This can help borrowers to avoid repossession and the lender to recover their investment.
How does skip tracing work for auto loan collections?
Skip tracers typically start by reviewing the borrower’s loan application and other records to obtain basic information, such as the borrower’s name, date of birth, Social Security number, and last known address. Skip tracers then use this information to search public records databases, social media platforms, and commercial databases to find the borrower’s current address, employment, and assets.
Skip tracers may also use social media scraping tools to extract data from social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. This data can include contact information, employment history, and even photos of the debtor. In addition to these online tools, skip tracers may also use traditional methods such as contacting the debtor’s friends, family, and former employers.
Once the skip tracer has located the borrower, they will provide the information to the agency or lender. The agency or lender will then contact the borrower to discuss their loan and repayment options.
Benefits of using skip tracing for auto loan collections
- Help locate borrowers who have defaulted on their loans and avoid losses.
- Help you to work with borrowers to create repayment plans or negotiate settlements. This can help borrowers to avoid repossession and you to recover your investment.
- Help you to comply with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The FDCPA is a federal law that protects consumers from abusive debt collection practices. One of the requirements of the FDCPA is that debt collectors must make reasonable efforts to locate a debtor before contacting them.
Third-Party Collections and Skip Tracing Technology at First Credit Services
In today’s fast-paced financial landscape, lenders and auto finance companies require efficient strategies to manage defaulted loans. First Credit Services (FCS), has revolutionized the traditional debt collection methods, setting the gold standard for third-party collection agencies, especially in the automotive sector. A core component that differentiates FCS from its competitors is its up-to-the-minute skip tracing technology that significantly enhances the probability of locating and establishing contact with defaulters.
What makes this technology so potent?
Comprehensive Data Mining
FCS’s skip tracing dives deep into a plethora of data sources, including public records, credit reports, and digital footprints, amalgamating pieces of information to construct a borrower’s current profile.
Continuous Data Refresh
As people move, change jobs, or alter their contact information, FCS’s skip tracing technology continually updates its databases ensuring that the information is current and relevant.
Integration with OmniXp
The skip tracing capabilities seamlessly work in tandem with the OmniXp omnichannel customer service contact platform. This synergy ensures that once the borrower is located, the outreach is immediate and through the medium they are most likely to respond to.
To know more on our OmniXp services, read our blog on: How Omnichannel Engagement Can Boost Your Bottom Line
In conclusion, skip tracing is an invaluable tool for auto loan collections, streamlining the process of locating defaulters. First Credit Services elevates this method, utilizing advanced technology and data-driven approaches, ensuring lenders efficiently manage defaults and maintain a healthy financial landscape.
Outsource your collections to FCS and experience unmatched efficiency firsthand. To know more on the advantage of outsourcing, read our blog on: What Are The Advantages of Outsourcing Operations Of Your Business?
