Returned Mail Investigation

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American Land Title Association (ALTA)©

Returned Mail Investigation

Version 1.0

Credit: Whitney Larman - this is an import of the existing Word file.

Returned Mail Investigation

• Take good notes when investigating-----Remember it is the company we are looking for, not necessarily the primary contact.

• Has the license or membership been renewed?

• Is the company in the ALTA Registry? If yes, remember to refer updates to Registry staff.

1. Call the phone number in re:Members (formerly Impexium):

   1. If it works, is the company still in business, correct address, same company name?

   2. Is the primary contact still there? If no, who should be the primary contact?

   3. Get email address if we don't have it

   4. If the phone is disconnected, make a notation of it

   5. If there is a voice mail, leave a message including your name, ALTA, the ALTA id number you are calling about and the call back number is 202-296-3671.

2. Email:

   1. Reach out via email if we have an email address. In the subject line include Returned Mail company name and ALTA Id#. So, it should look like this: Returned Mail - Uncapher Law, PA - ALTA Id#1155229

3. Check for Information in re:Members (formerly Impexium):

   1. Check the Address in re:Members (formerly Impexium). Is there a Mail HOLD/Bad Address from the past?

      1. To find out go to: Org account in re:Members (formerly Impexium) > Account tab > Contact Info > Addresses > Edit button. Scroll down and if the Bad Address? box is checked it has been reported previously and now needs to be fully researched. State licensing, business license, bar license, etc.

   2. Are there any notes in the Overview tab?

   3. What did the company do last year? Were they compliant? What has been their pattern?

      1. To find out if they were compliant go to:

         Click to enlarge

         Purchases tab > Membership/Subscription tab on side tool bar > Active or Inactive tab to see what they have held in past.

      2. To find their pattern go to: Custom tab > Membership/Subscription History tab. This will list whatever they held previously and what they paid.

   4. Does the company have multiple records in re:Members (formerly Impexium)? Is there a newer record? Do a search on part of the company name and search on street address only.

   5. Do they have a parent? Did they have one in the past?

      1. Go to: Account tab > Relationships > Organizations or Organizations (Inactive) tab to see if they have a current/past parent. This will also tell you if the company you are researching is a branch/child to another company.

   6. Could they be in re:Members (formerly Impexium) differently (especially for law firms)?

      1. Search by entering part of the company name, look at email address and see if it is a different company and search by that company name and by Address Line 1.

   7. Does the primary contact have multiple records OR a newer or active record?

      1. To see if the indiv is a connected to other records go to the indiv account: Account tab > Relationships > Organizations or Organizations (Inactive).

   8. If there is a newer record, can you reach out to them via their new information? They may be able to clarify their previous company information. Be sure to take notes when talking with the person so if a company has been acquired or merged we need to note the account and deactivate.

4. Web search

   1. Company: Website for the company

   2. Address: Google Maps

   3. Primary contact: LinkedIn profile, biography on company website, Facebook, etc.

   4. Phone: type in number to see what company/firm is associated

   5. Better Business Bureau Website

   6. Secretaries of State business/corporation database**:** inquire if the company still exists or out of business based on annual filings to the state

   7. State Bar Associations directories/database**:** inquire lawyers or esquires to see if they practice law and what law firm/business they are registered with.

5. Check for Duplications

   1. Locate by Address

   2. Email Lookup