Credit Reporting Service for Small Businesses
Unpaid invoices can hurt your cash flow and take valuable time away from running your business. The Credit App gives small businesses a simple way to report qualifying customer defaults to the credit bureaus without establishing their own direct data-furnishing relationship.
Submit the unpaid account online, provide the supporting documentation, and The Credit App handles the required debtor notifications and credit reporting process. Your company is identified as the creditor so the customer knows who must be paid to resolve the account.
$113M+ Debt Reported | $32M+ Collected | 13,000+ Businesses | Nationwide Service
How Credit Reporting Works
1. Submit the Unpaid Account
Create an account and enter the customer's information, outstanding balance, date of default and other required account details. Upload documentation supporting the debt, such as your signed agreement and final invoice.
2. The Customer Is Notified
After the account is submitted, The Credit App sends notifications informing the customer of the outstanding balance and the potential credit reporting. Notifications are delivered through multiple channels, including email, text message and mail.
The customer is provided an opportunity to pay or dispute the account before credit reporting occurs.
3. The Unresolved Debt Is Reported
If the account remains unpaid after the notification period and meets the applicable reporting requirements, the debt is submitted for credit reporting with your business identified as the creditor.
Customers continue to pay your business directly. The Credit App does not collect or receive the customer's payment on your behalf.
Who Can Report an Unpaid Customer?
The Credit App is designed for businesses that have provided goods or services and are dealing with a legitimate customer default.
Businesses—including sole proprietorships—may submit qualifying accounts when there is a legally binding agreement and the account has been in default for more than 30 days.
Before submitting an account, make sure the debt is legitimate, accurate and supported by documentation.
You should generally be prepared to provide:
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A signed, legally binding agreement
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A final invoice showing the amount owed
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The customer's name and contact information
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The outstanding balance
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The date of default
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Supporting records relevant to the debt
Have a signed contract and an invoice more than 30 days past due?
What Documents Are Required to Report a Customer?
Accurate documentation is one of the most important parts of credit reporting.
Before submitting an unpaid account, gather records demonstrating what the customer agreed to pay and why the balance is outstanding.
Depending on the account, useful documentation may include:
Signed contracts or agreements
Documents showing the customer's obligation to pay.
Final invoices
The amount currently due and the goods or services associated with the balance.
Account statements
Records showing the payment history and remaining balance.
Customer communications
Relevant emails, texts or other correspondence concerning the unpaid invoice.
Collection attempts
Records demonstrating prior efforts to obtain payment.
Maintaining verifiable records such as contracts, invoices, account statements, and customer communications helps support the accuracy of a submitted account.
How Is the Customer Notified?
The Credit App provides the debtor notifications associated with the reporting process.
The $149 credit-reporting service includes notifications by email, text, first-class mail, and certified mail.
The purpose of this notification period is straightforward: give the customer an opportunity to address the unpaid balance before negative credit reporting occurs.
This also creates a powerful opportunity for the business to collect the invoice before the account ever reaches the credit-reporting stage.
Get started for $149
How Long Does Credit Reporting Take?
After an account is submitted, the debtor must first be given an opportunity to address the outstanding balance.
Most accounts go through a 30-to-60-day notification and resolution period before an eligible unresolved debt is submitted for credit reporting.
What Happens if the Customer Disputes the Debt?
Customers are given an opportunity to dispute information they believe is inaccurate.
Businesses using The Credit App are responsible for submitting legitimate account information and supporting documentation. Clients are required to submit bona fide defaults, provide accurate supporting information, and appropriately identify disputed accounts.
This is another reason supporting documentation is important. Signed agreements, invoices and relevant communications help establish the facts surrounding the account.
Accurate reporting matters.
Accounts must represent legitimate, verifiable customer defaults. Customers are provided an opportunity to dispute information they believe is inaccurate.
What Happens After the Customer Pays?
Once the outstanding debt has been resolved, your current credit-reporting service includes removal of the reported debt at no additional charge.
Getting paid is the goal—not permanently damaging your customer's credit.
When the customer pays the debt in full, notify The Credit App through your account. The reported account can then be removed as part of the service at no additional charge.
There is no additional removal fee.
How Much Does It Cost to Report an Unpaid Customer?
The Credit App charges a one-time flat fee of $149 per report.
The current service includes debtor notifications, credit reporting for qualifying unresolved accounts, reporting confirmation and removal after the debt is settled.
Included for $149:
✓ Debtor notifications
✓ Email and text notifications
✓ First-class and certified mail notices
✓ Credit reporting for qualifying accounts
✓ Reporting confirmation
✓ Removal after payment
✓ No percentage of the amount you recover
Credit Reporting vs. Traditional Debt Collection
Traditional collection agencies often base their compensation on a percentage of the money they recover. The Credit App takes a different approach.
The Credit App is not a debt collection agency and does not collect payments from your customers. Instead, it provides businesses with tools to pursue payment through credit reporting while the debtor pays the creditor directly.
Why Small Businesses Use The Credit App
Flat-Fee Pricing
Pay a one-time fee instead of giving up a percentage of the balance you recover.
Nationwide Service
The Credit App serves businesses throughout the United States.
Multiple Debtor Notifications
Notifications are sent through multiple communication methods before qualifying accounts proceed to credit reporting.
Customers Pay You Directly
The Credit App doesn't receive the debtor's payment. Your customer resolves the outstanding balance directly with your business.
Credit Reporting for Contractors and Small Businesses
Unpaid invoices affect businesses across many industries, but they can be particularly difficult for companies that perform work or provide services before receiving final payment.
The Credit App can provide a credit-reporting option for qualifying unpaid accounts from businesses such as:
Roofing contractors
General contractors
Subcontractors
Home-service companies
Property managers and landlords
Professional service businesses
Other small businesses extending payment terms to customers
Rather than spending weeks repeatedly calling or emailing a nonpaying customer, eligible businesses can use a documented reporting process that creates an additional incentive for the customer to resolve an outstanding balance.
Get Paid by Reporting Credit
Don't let an unpaid invoice continue to drain your business's time and cash flow.
If you have a legitimate customer account supported by a signed agreement and an overdue final invoice, The Credit App gives you a straightforward way to begin the credit-reporting process online.