New service to help small businesses collect accounts & tenants get deposits back

Aug. 17, 2010 - PRLog -- You Be Aware LLC has launched 2 new programs to add to their existing range of services. The first provides collection solutions to small businesses who are having difficulties collecting overdue accounts from their customers and the second is a service for consumers who are being unfairly denied the return of their security deposit by a landlord.

A spokesman for the company explained why the consumer awareness group has decided to get involved in this new arena. “The nation is going through tough economic times and individuals and businesses need all the financial help they can get. We understand how important it is for consumers and small businesses to get paid what they are owed in a timely manner and how non-payment can affect their finances. For a small business it can affect their ability to make a profit or even make payroll and for a consumer it hurts their household budget. In many cases the amount owed to them is not large enough to go to the trouble and expense of using an attorney to help them collect and debt collection agencies are often ineffective and expensive.”

The Florida based company has harnessed the power of the internet to help its members get paid what they are owed by reversing the general concept of ripoffreport.com, complaint.com and other websites that give consumers the opportunity to complain about businesses and scams. You Be Aware provides people with the opportunity to complain about customers and landlords who do not pay what they owe and capitalizes on the fact that most people wish to protect their personal reputation and standing in the community.

When a debt has been reported the company creates a website using the debtor’s address as the domain name which is leased to the member for up to a year or until the debt has been paid. The full address is used because that is totally unique and the domain name will be available. Details of the debt and the debtor are placed on the website but details appearing on the website must be accurate.

The company writes a polite and professional letter by certified mail to the debtor explaining that a complaint has been made about them for non-payment, detailing the debt that is owed and refers them to the website that has been created concerning their debt. The letter strongly advises the debtor to make payment immediately in return for the permanent removal of the information on the website.

Exactly the same process applies for tenants who have not received back a security deposit from their landlord when they left a property even though they left the building in good repair.

You Be Aware explains why their new services are needed more now than ever before. “An increasing number of service companies like pool and lawn maintenance, contractors, pest control and others have experienced a large jump in the number of customers who do not pay. In many cases homeowners are using the service of one company without payment until they refuse to provide any more service and move onto another provider. This is a real problem and these small businesses need help.”

“In addition to the collection issues faced by small businesses we have had many of our members complain that they have been unable to get their security deposit returned by their landlord. This is often because the deposit is not held in a separate account and the landlord themselves are struggling financially, often in foreclosure.”

The company also points out that, unlike the consumer complaints sites out there, any adverse information about the debtor is removed once the debt has been paid so there is no permanent record left online to haunt people in the future.

The company, started 5 years ago, began by offering an early warning system for its members to warn them about hurricanes, tornadoes and other critical events. Since that time they have provided education, information and tools to tackle the most important issues facing families such as credit card debt, predatory lending, foreclosure and insurance issues. They work on what they call “Power In Numbers” which enables them to bundle services together to offer them at deeply discounted rates to their members. Their company website is www.youbeaware.com and provides details of all their services and membership options.

# # #

A consumer education and awareness group providing services to its members to improve their lives and finances and protect their family and assets. Services are provided at discounted group rates.