Sometimes, your search of an Experian business public records database
results in a report with no data. The absence of data, however, does not
mean your search was unsuccessful. Here's what you can learn from your
report:
Bankruptcies, judgments and tax liens
Bankruptcies, judgments and tax liens all have a negative effect on a company's creditworthiness:
- A company files bankruptcy when it cannot – or needs more time
to – pay
its debts. Bankruptcies are filed in federal bankruptcy courts.
- A judge issues a judgment against a company in response to
a lawsuit brought by a third party. The judgment is filed
in a court.
- Government agencies file tax liens against a company in county,
state and federal courts – or with a town clerk or register of
deeds.
Your search of Experian's bankruptcy, judgment and tax lien databases
is successful – and provides valuable information – if it:
- Returns an "empty" report. This means Experian's databases do not
show any bankruptcy filings, civil judgments over $50 or tax liens against
the company you searched on. (Information about what to do if you think
your empty report should contain data is available.)
- Returns a report showing one or more bankruptcy filings, civil judgments
over $50 or tax liens against the company you searched on.
Corporate records
When a company incorporates, it files certain records with the appropriate secretary
of state's office. These records provide information about the company's date
of incorporation, its officers or directors, mailing and office addresses, etc.
Your search of Experian's corporate records databases is successful – and provides valuable information – if it:
- Returns an "empty" report: This
means Experian's database does not show any record
that the company you searched on is incorporated in
the state you selected. (Information about what to
do if you think your empty report
should contain data is available.)
- Returns a report providing information about the company's incorporation.
Fictitious Business Name (FBN) /
Doing Business As (DBA)
Most companies and individuals select a fictional name
for their businesses. (For example, "John Smith
Automotive" is not a fictitious business
name as long as the owner is named John Smith, but "Main Street Automotive" is.)
Companies record Fictitious Business Name – also referred to
as Doing Business As, Trade Name or Assumed Name – filings with
the appropriate county recorder, county clerk or county business licensing
office.
Your search of Experian's FBN database is successful – and
provides valuable information – if it:
- Returns an "empty" report:
This means Experian's database does not show evidence
that any company does business under the name and in
the state you selected. (Information about what to do if you think your empty
report should contain data is available.)
- Returns a report providing information about the company's fictitious business name.
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)
Companies that extend secured loans to other businesses file UCC documents with
the appropriate secretary of state office to protect their interest in the asset.
Your search of Experian's UCC database is successful
and provides valuable information if it:
- Returns an "empty" report: This
means Experian's UCC database does not show any filings
against the company you searched on. (Information about
what to do if you think your empty
report should contain data is available.)
- Returns a report providing information about
which of the company's assets have been pledged as
collateral for a secured loan.
What to do if you think your empty report should contain data
On occasion, a particular report may be empty because
of an error. If you believe there should be public record
data about the company, please recheck your request.
Be sure you spelled everything correctly and looked for
information in the correct state.
If you entered everything
correctly, please e-mail us
with:
- The company name (exact spelling) and state in which it is located
- What public record information you expected to find
- Any additional information you can provide
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