FAQs

Help before you get started

Company Check		Collection Services
Tracking		Billing
Debt Chasing		My Account
Name & Shame

If you can’t find the answer to your query,
please email our support centre. We aim to
respond to messages within 48hrs. Send email

Company Check

Do I need the Company’s registered number?
The company’s registration number is not Vital to the search, but it will help you find the company you are looking fro much more efficiently. If you enter just the company name our detailed search will search up to 4.7 million companies to find the business you are looking for.

Why are the reports inexpensive compared to other suppliers?
e-bcm is revolutionalising the credit report and debt management process by offering a purely on line service with much lower overheads than the rest of the market. These lower overheads and online channels are the core of our business model so that we can offer excellent value credit reports to a wide business audience.

How up to date are the reports?
The information we supply originates from a number of sources including Companies House, The London and Edinburgh Gazette and Registries Trust. We update our information every 24 hours.

How accurate is your information?
Through our information providers we maintain high standards of information to ensure the information is as accurate as possible. We aim to help you make credit decisions, but there should always be other forms of reference when making key credit decisions.

I can’t find the company I am looking for?
All our information comes direct from Companies House, if you can’t find the company you are looking for, then it most probably hasn’t been registered at Companies House. So just email this query over to our Customer Service team and we will perform a final check for you.

How can I tell if the company has money?
There may be many reasons why companies appear to have lots of ready cash, when in actual fact they have very little liquid cash to spend. This is why we show you full fi nancial information, including key ratios, profit and loss and balance sheets. This information, through sophisticated algorithms, calculates the credit rating and potential risk, so that you can make an informed decision as to whether a company has money to spend.

How is the credit rating/limited calculated?
We pride ourselves in providing easy to understand reports, and this is demonstrated by our "traffic light" system of credit scoring. It really is as easy as it sounds with red advising you to be cautious, and green giving you a positive credit decision. Our credit ratings are equally as easy to understand with a score of 0 -100. A credit limit is given alongside the rating to give you an understanding of the recommended monthly amount of credit to offer the company.

Tracking

What happens if the company appears on the Debtors List?
If a customer appears on the e-bcm Debtors List, it may be because:
1. They have not paid their debt at all
2. They have paid, but paid late
This is valuable information to help you with your decision to either grant or extend credit to your customer. A late payer is not necessarily a bad customer!

How do I track a company?
You can keep track of as many customers as you want simply by entering their details on the Tracker section of our site. Should any of these customers get listed on the e-bcm Debtors List for late payment you will receive immediate email notifi cation.

Chasing

What do I do if they pay within the 14 days?
As and when your customer pays the debt, you are responsible for updating the Debtors List, however the debt history will remain visible to other e-bcm members wishing to trade with that company. Our service is there to encourage businesses to pay promptly against agreed terms!

How do I know that the letter has been received?
The Final Demand Letter includes first class recorded delivery.

Name & Shame

What if a debtor threatens me?
Using the e-bcm service does not affect your statutory rights. Our debt chasing letter is fair but firm and includes the warning that unless the debt is paid direct to you within 14 days the debtor will be listed on the e-bcm Debtors List, which our members can view when conducting credit checks themselves. To be scrupulously fair to the debtor we allow the ability for them to add a comment with their reason for nonpayment, which will be posted alongside the outstanding debt. e-bcm gives you the ability to Name & Shame your bad debtors - embarrassing them into paying their debts.

Can I change my mind after I Name & Shame?
By agreeing to the e-bcm T’s and C’s you are responsible for updating the Debtors List. However the debt history will remain visible to other e-bcm members wishing to trade with that company. Our service is there to encourage businesses to pay promptly to agreed terms!

Collect

Will I have to go to court?
There is no need for you to complete any paperwork or attend court (unless the case becomes defended and a hearing is set) and through our partners we will serve your debtor with a claim form (the new term for a summons) on your behalf and do all the necessary work to see this through to judgment.

Who pays for the legal fees?
All court fees, fixed costs and claims for interest (where applicable) are recoverable from the debtor prior to enforcement.

Can I monitor the progress of my case?
You can view your cases via free access to the LRC online debt recovery system.

What happens if the company who owes me money wins the court case?
Through our legal recoveries partner we will assess your case and advise you of the best course of action.

Billing

What do I do at the end of the year should I want to cancel the e-bcm contract?
14 days prior to the end of your contract you will be sent a reminder email to renew your subscription. Should you wish to cancel your subscription at this time, simply click on the unsubscribe button and follow the instructions.

How do I know what I'm being billed?
You can access and print all your invoices and statements online simply go to 'My Account' and select financials.

My Account

How do I keep track of my account?
When you logon to e-bcm you are presented with the 'My Account' screen. The main screen enables you to manage all your activities. The right hand side of the screen tells you your subscription level, your contract renewal date, your current monthly usage , points status and values.

Can I access reports that I have previously purchased?
Yes, you can either view these online or download a PDF version of the report.

Can I authorise other employees in my business to use the e-bcm system?
Yes. Your system administrator can add users via the 'Settings' tab. The system administrator can also set access levels and permissions.

Check

Track

Chase

Name & Shame

Collect