When the Account Goes Quiet: Using Property Records to Support Asset Research

The Challenge:

Older collection accounts can be difficult to research when the available account information provides little context about the consumer or potential assets. Property records can add information for comparison, but the returned data still needs to be reviewed alongside the existing account record.

The CFPB received approximately 387,400 debt collection complaints in 2025. Its data also showed increases in complaints involving attempts to collect debt not owed and debts consumers did not recognize. These figures reflect consumer complaints, not proven legal violations.

A property record can provide another research input, but it does not establish that the consumer owns the property, that the debt belongs to that person, or that the returned address can be used for outreach.

The Solutions:

Searchbug’s Property Records API can be called from a CRM or collection system through real-time JSON or XML, using a property address, parcel ID, or owner name to return property information for review. The results give collection teams additional property context to compare with the existing account record, while ownership, identity, and outreach decisions remain with the collector’s own review process.

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