How Did Boston Bombing Affect Alarm Companies / Collections  

April 27, 2013

 

 

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Question

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Ken,

The tragedy in Boston and the response by authorities enveloped the city and surrounding communities.  In some ways it was similar to challenges that Mother Nature periodically bestows on society.  It may have presented challenges to organizations like central stations, which have not been previously experienced.  It appeared from the west coast that a major city was placed on marshal law and locked down.  I am certain that there are many monitoring stations in the greater Metropolitan Boston area that were impacted.  It would be invaluable if they could provide insight into the experience.  How incidents like what did initiated the events and the actions of government agencies present challenge them.  If the challenges in anyway vary from weather events how did they vary?

JAMES ESSAM, PRESIDENT

ALARM CENTRAL STATION, INC

BEAVERTON, OREGON 

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Response

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Not only were central stations affected but all alarm and security companies must have found it difficult or impossible for a time to operate and provide service.  Can any of you up there share the experience?

It's not that often that "acts of god" or conditions beyond alarm company's control come into play.  Obviously during times like that there is no exposure for liability unless very special circumstances exist.

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Question - collections

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Ken,

I have a customer that signed a contract for service with us but then they changed owners. The new owner does not want to honor the old contract & the account is in arrears. When I attempted to collect the past debt, they changed companies and gave me no written notice. The old customer that signed the original contract is nowhere to be found. Who do I go after to collect at this point and how? Thanks

RN

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Answer

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Customer "changed owners".  What does that mean?  A new stockholder bought the stock?  A new business took over a location where your alarm was installed?  Your subscriber changed it's name and continued its business?  

Your contract must identify your subscriber and make sure you have the full and correct legal name.  If you start with that you can trace name changes.  If your subscriber is properly under contract you can pursue that entity - collecting may be a problem if it's out of business.  If your subscriber engages in activity intended to defraud you and other creditors then there are legal remedies.  Suing your subscribers for defaulting on contracts is complicated, collecting more so. 



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