If at all possible, allow the credit agency to reveal your identity when requesting a report. Some financial data can be obtained from public records, and credit agencies conduct field investigations when feasible. Due to a poor citizen record system and the absence of any repository of credit information, it is necessary to conduct special investigations to gather information on individuals. Trade payment histories do not exist due to the lack of databases or other commercial repositories for this information. Agencies rely on trade references supplied by the subject companies, who often respond slowly and list best-paid vendors.
Standard terms are usually thirty, sixty or ninety days.
Payments are made by cash, check, letter of credit, wire transfer, document against payments and document against acceptance. Address falsifications and obsolete P.O. box numbers are common problems. Tracing a debtor through the post office is impossible since the post office does not release forwarding information. Laws are adequate, but enforcement is slow, as courts are overbooked. The bankruptcy process takes time, giving debtors the opportunity to transfer assets to family members to avoid seizure.