Collections Specialist

Trace delinquent customers to new addresses by inquiring at post offices, telephone companies, credit bureaus, or through the questioning of neighbors.

Sort and file correspondence and perform miscellaneous clerical duties, such as answering correspondence and writing reports.

Arrange for debt repayment or establish repayment schedules, based on customers' financial situations.

Receive payments and post amounts paid to customer accounts.

Answer customer questions regarding problems with their accounts.

Confer with customers by telephone or in person to determine reasons for overdue payments and to review the terms of sales, service, or credit contracts.

Locate and notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, telephone, or personal visits to solicit payment.

Negotiate credit extensions when necessary.

Advise customers of necessary actions and strategies for debt repayment.

Locate and monitor overdue accounts, using computers and a variety of automated systems.

Perform various administrative functions for assigned accounts, such as recording address changes and purging the records of deceased customers.

Persuade customers to pay amounts due on credit accounts, damage claims, or nonpayable checks, or to return merchandise.

Notify credit departments, order merchandise repossession or service disconnection, and turn over account records to attorneys when customers fail to respond to collection attempts.

Record information about financial status of customers and status of collection efforts.