Final Warning Ltd
Preparing a debt for collection
Gather the key facts, documents and contact history before you discuss a private or business debt with Final Warning Ltd.
A practical creditor guide
Bring the important facts into one place.
A clear starting summary helps a debt collection conversation stay focused. You do not need to create a formal report or have every answer ready. Gather what you know, identify the gaps and explain the history accurately.
Whether the debt concerns a private individual or a business, the same starting questions matter: who is owed the money, who owes it, where are they based and what records show what happened?
Keep the chronology simple
Separate what happened from what you expect next.
Write down the main events in order: what was agreed, what was supplied or paid, when the amount became outstanding, and what happened when you asked for payment. Include dates where you know them and label estimates as estimates.
This is especially useful when several conversations or people are involved. It gives the case review a reliable starting point without asking you to make a decision about the eventual outcome.
If the debtor has more than one address or the contact details may be out of date, include the different information and say which detail is most recent. Do not fill gaps with guesses; explain what you know and what still needs to be checked.
The core checklist
Information to gather before an enquiry.
- People and organisations: the creditor’s name, the debtor’s name and the best contact or address details you hold.
- Location: where the debtor is based, including the country and any useful local address information.
- Amount: what remains outstanding and how the amount is described in your records.
- Reason for the debt: what was agreed, supplied, lent or otherwise expected to be paid.
- Dates and chronology: when the arrangement or transaction occurred, when payment was expected and what happened afterwards.
Questions for the case review
Check that you can explain the position.
What was the original understanding? What has been paid, if anything? What is still outstanding? Has the debtor accepted, disputed or ignored the amount? What contact has already been attempted, and has the debtor’s location changed?
For a business debt, identify the relevant invoice, agreement, order, delivery or completion record. For a debt involving an individual, note the personal history and the records that show why the money is owed. Keep the description factual and separate confirmed information from assumptions.
These questions do not determine the outcome. They help Final Warning Ltd understand the circumstances and discuss whether face-to-face debt collection is a suitable next step.
Discuss a prepared caseContinue to the relevant service
Choose the page closest to your situation.
For money owed by an individual, see private debt collection. For an unpaid invoice or other business debt, see commercial debt recovery.
You can also read our debt collection process to understand how the first enquiry and case review fit together.
Straight answers
Frequently asked questions.
Every case is different. These answers cover the first questions our clients ask.
Do I need every document before I contact you?
No. Contact us with the information you have. We can explain what may be needed to understand the circumstances and consider the next step.
What is the most important information to provide?
Start with who is owed the money, who the debtor is, where they are based, what amount is outstanding, why it is owed and what contact has already taken place.
Can this checklist be used for a business debt?
Yes. For a business debt, include the relevant invoice, agreement, purchase order or delivery record alongside the debtor's details and correspondence.
Ready to talk?
Start with a direct conversation.
Tell us about the money you are owed and where the debtor is based.
Discuss a debt