SHS is perfectly situated to handle consumer collection matters throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.  Consumer collections have long been a significant part of our firm's business, and we believe that our many years of experience and the time-proven technology and methodology that we utilize enable us to deliver superior results and bring added value to our consumer collection clients.

Collection Strategies

In addition to sending out a demand letter upon referral, our Consumer Collections Practice Group immediately commences telephone collections as well.  We believe that the first telephone conversation generally sets the stage for all future negotiations and collection activities.  Not only does this first communication provide an opportunity to make the borrower aware of the aggressive manner in which we will pursue collection of the indebtedness, but it also provides the best opportunity to ascertain critical facts regarding the borrower’s current employment status and financial condition.  The firm’s training program emphasizes the importance of this initial contact and focuses on how the quality of information gathered at this early stage can provide additional recoveries for our clients.

Our Consumer Collections Practice Group implements litigation strategies consistent with client requirements and goals.  After commencement of litigation, any agreement providing for an installment payment plan will be filed with the Court as a consent judgment and provide for a lien on real estate (if appropriate).  In the event a consent judgment cannot be negotiated and judgment is obtained through default, summary judgment, or trial, immediate steps are taken to levy upon all assets which have been identified either by the client or by the various investigative methods utilized by the firm during the period leading up to the entry of judgment.  Bank account and wage attachments provide other effective methods of satisfying judgments as do the identification and liquidation of other personal property such as motor vehicles.  When necessary and appropriate, we will attempt to attach a borrower’s assets with pre-judgment remedies to prevent further transfers or encumbrances.

Another important factor contributing to the successful resolution of these matters is well-established lines of communication between our firm and the client.  We understand that an attorney can most effectively serve the client by having a clear understanding of the client's goals and priorities.  Furthermore, it is critical that offers of settlement and borrower requests for information or documentation be responded to in a timely manner.  A prompt response enables the attorney to maintain momentum and impart a sense of urgency to the borrower relative to the resolution of the debt and helps place the client in an advantageous position relative to other creditors, which may be proceeding against the same borrower.  Furthermore, firm attorneys are always available as an accommodation to the client to answer questions and analyze issues that may arise in connection with matters that have not yet been placed for legal collection.

Systems

Our Consumer Collections Practice Group uses Collection Master™, state-of-the-art computer collection software, for the processing and management of its collection and litigation files.  Collection Master™ is an on-line, interactive database system capable of generating all pleadings, correspondence, remittances and status reports required for a large collection practice.  Daily tickler reports to the responsible attorney, paralegal, and/or collector identify all files for which any activity is scheduled, allowing close supervision of the status of all active accounts and immediate implementation of the next step in the collection process. 

Our software database contains data fields for all pertinent borrower and account information, with a detailed chronological history of all past contacts with the borrower and all actions taken in the collection process.  The system automatically updates the accrued interest and expenses on each account on a daily basis.  Status reports and remittance reports may be generated for the client as frequently as desired and enable the client to fully monitor the current status of each file, including all historical activity.  We have many standard status and financial reports for use by the attorney and client to manage the collection process.  In addition, other reports can be custom designed to address a specific client’s needs or desires.

Collection Master™ has the capability to interface with You’ve Got Claims™, as well as with many software systems currently utilized by financial institutions.  These interfaces allow for data exchange between our software and the client’s software system, including claim downloads and status updates.  This eliminates any delay as a result of the client’s need to process and/or copy account information and allows the collection process to immediately be commenced.  It also allows the client to have direct access to information on the status of any particular accounts, providing an opportunity for close monitoring and status reports on demand.  Perhaps the greatest strength of our software is the ability to tailor the software to the individual client's needs once they have been established.