Tag Archives: data

Top Tech Trends Impacting Debt Collection

16 Apr

If your debt collection firm isn’t using analytics to predict consumer behavior you’re at risk of falling behind.

~~~

It’s no longer surprising that digital technology has disrupted every industry, including debt collection. From new data-driven software to internet security and workflow automation, tomorrow’s debt collection firms will look nothing like the local Mom and Pop agencies still mired in workflows straight out of the 1990s.

This post looks at how tech is impacting the debt collection industry. Browser-based platforms and multichannel collections processes are enabling professional firms to contact debtors where they live — online.

Digital Debt Collection

Business Wire published a press release from Technavio recently citing their published report on some of the latest software trends impacting debt collection. The report suggests the following trends as drivers of new tech in debt collection:

  • Increasing pressure for CFOs in every sector to improve their bottom line – including accounts receivable.
  • A desire by most companies to reduce the amount they spend on debt collection, which is the impetus both for outsourcing the process and for debt recovery agencies to adopt new technology to cut costs.
  • Consumer trends that show us fairly addicted to cell phone technology and the internet.
  • Increasing regulatory requirements at the local, state and federal levels have created a need for software that automates the compliance process, which protects both the debt collection firm and their client.
  • The worldwide proliferation of malware threatening client data in transit and at rest.
  • The necessity of improving customer relationships even during debt collection.

These trends have spawned a variety of digital disruptors in the form of technology that has impacted what has been a fairly traditional industry. They include:

  • The rise of browser-based platforms focused on omni-channel collection efforts that include debt collection by traditional means (letters and phone calls), and now, if opted in, email, as well as easy-to-use online portals for debt repayment. This allows a consistency of communication to consumers, a greater opportunity for automation, as well as customer personalization that allows debt collection agencies to reach consumers in their preferred channel and with preferred payment options.
  • The introduction of sophisticated data analytics tools that allow debt collection firms to closely analyze consumer behavior and the market trends driving that behavior. These analytics can help debt collection firms cull out consumers that will be more likely to pay all or a portion of their debt.
  • More stringent data security protocols and procedures to help keep consumer data safe from nefarious attacks.

Debt collection agencies must continue to embrace technology to stay competitive while leveraging data analytics to improve their efficiencies, stay compliant with applicable law, and protect critical client data.

To find out more about how TSI’s technology can impact your accounts receivable, contact me directly at david.wiener@cashflowstrategies.us or call me at 888-780-1333.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Cyber Security and Debt Collection

20 Nov

Did you know that employees account for 43 percent of data loss, whether intentional or accidental? The remaining data breaches occur because of criminal infiltration. Regardless of the threat, our research shows that data loss and security breaches cost companies an average of $4 million in 2016, during which more than four billion pieces of confidential data were exposed.

Unfortunately, failing to create an effective cyber security system for your data collection efforts could put your customers and your company at risk.

Risks Associated With Cyber Security and Debt Collection

Data is easier to steal than you think.

Debt collection records are particularly sensitive because they contain significant financial information. The sensitivity elevates if you’re in the healthcare industry because your data might include personal health information (PHI).

Since you must report data breaches, your company’s reputation can take a serious hit if your customers’ data becomes compromised. Additionally, you could face serious consequences with regard to your cash flow, accounts receivable management, and stakeholders.

A data breach involving debt collection records could result in a serious fine from a regulatory body. Back in 2012, for instance, an auto dealership and a debt collector had to reach a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over data breaches that took place because of peer-to-peer file sharing.

Unfortunately, data breaches are on the rise. Our research reveals that 2016 saw nearly 40 percent more data breaches than 2015, and 94 of those breaches exposed at least a million confidential records each. Consumers value their privacy. In 2016, more than 15 million American consumers suffered from some sort of identity theft.

Cyber Security Solutions for Debt Collection

Getting best-in-class security for your data can help prevent breaches and other cyber security issues.

Many businesses don’t have the infrastructure necessary to meet HIPAA, NIST, FISMA, and PCI-DSS guidelines. That’s why working with a well-equipped collection agency can become a major asset.

Established collection agencies that secure their data against breaches can help protect your company from lawsuits, fines, reputation hits, and other consequences of a data breach. When you’re looking for a collection agency to handle your accounts receivable, make sure the candidate you choose follows these guidelines:

  • Data protection for data while it’s at rest, in processing, and in transit
  • Secure data center with 100 percent uptime
  • Redundancies in place to preserve data
  • Employees who are experts in specific data security areas, such as HIPAA, depending on your industry

Furthermore, you want to work with a debt collection agency that views security as a priority. As hackers and other criminals find new ways to skim data from victims, debt collectors must keep up with those attempts and find new ways to prevent intrusion.

You also want to make sure that your data is physically safe. Data centers should be equipped to prevent physical intrusion, fire and flood damage, and other catastrophes.

At TSI, our service portfolio is compliant with NIST, FISMA, PCI-DSS, and HIPAA. We employ security specialists with years of experience and expertise in protecting data against loss and corruption. If you’re looking for a debt collection agency to not only promote healthy cash flow and collect outstanding payments but also to preserve your data, we’re here for you. Contact me now to start optimizing your revenue.

Source:TSI

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,