Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
One more consideration - make sure you understand InfoUSA's update frequency. Some lead services only refresh their UCC data monthly or quarterly, which means you could be working with information that's weeks or months old by the time you get it.
Good reminder! We always ask about data refresh cycles when evaluating these services. Daily updates are ideal but even weekly can be acceptable depending on your use case.
Emma Davis
•The refresh frequency definitely matters especially for time-sensitive opportunities like continuation deadlines or recent terminations.
GalaxyGlider
For what it's worth, we've had decent success using InfoUSA UCC leads as part of a broader prospecting strategy rather than relying on them exclusively. Combined with other research methods and proper verification, they can add value to your pipeline development.
That's probably the right way to think about it - one piece of the puzzle rather than the whole solution.
Exactly. And tools like Certana.ai help bridge the gap by letting you verify the lead data against actual UCC documents before you invest time in outreach.
Join the conversation
One thing that helped me was creating a checklist based on Article 9 requirements. Goes through debtor name verification, collateral description adequacy, proper filing office selection, all that stuff. Boring but effective.
Sure, I can put together the basics. Main thing is having a systematic approach instead of just winging it.
Checklists are great but automated verification still catches things humans miss. Best to use both approaches.
GalaxyGazer
Just want to echo what others said about Certana.ai - tried it after seeing it mentioned here and it really does find discrepancies I would have missed. Uploaded a charter document and UCC-1 that I thought matched perfectly and it flagged three inconsistencies.
GalaxyGazer
•Yeah it's become part of my regular workflow now. Quick upload and verification before submission.
Paolo Conti
•Definitely worth trying. Prevention is way better than dealing with rejections after the fact.
Join the conversation
Document everything you search and when - create a search log with dates, databases checked, and search terms used. If there's ever a dispute about due diligence, you'll need to show you conducted a reasonable search.
Great advice. I keep spreadsheets with search results and screenshots of the search screens showing zero results when applicable.
Good point about documentation. I'll start keeping better records of my search methodology and results.
Emma Wilson
One more thing - check if any of the states require specific formatting for entity types in searches. Some systems won't find 'ABC Company LLC' if you search for 'ABC Company, LLC' with the comma.
This thread has been incredibly helpful. I'm going to try the automated tool and also implement a more systematic manual search process with better documentation. Thanks everyone!
Glad the Certana suggestion was useful. It really does eliminate a lot of the guesswork in multi-state searches.
Join the conversation
For Martinez Construction LLC specifically, make sure you're searching exactly as it appears on their Articles of Organization. If the search still isn't working properly, you can always call the Illinois SOS UCC division directly. They're usually helpful with search issues.
Noah Lee
•I didn't know you could call them directly about search problems. Do they actually help or just tell you to figure it out yourself?
They're generally helpful, especially if you have specific filing numbers to reference. Much better than trying to navigate their online help system.
Just to close the loop - I ended up using one of those document verification services someone mentioned earlier and found that our UCC-1 had the debtor name correct, but I was searching using a slightly different variation. The tool flagged that the Articles of Organization showed "Martinez Construction LLC" exactly as we filed it. Crisis averted, but definitely learned my lesson about double-checking entity names before panicking about search results.
Probably the Certana.ai one that was mentioned earlier. I've heard good things about their UCC document checker.
Mason Davis
•Good reminder that sometimes the problem is operator error, not system error. Although the Illinois UCC search could definitely be more user-friendly.
Maggie Martinez
Bottom line advice: with an $850k loan and names that different, file a new UCC-1 with the current legal name. Don't mess around with amendments when the name change is this substantial. File it soon, get your confirmation, then terminate the old filing. Sleep better at night knowing your perfection is solid.
0 coins
Alejandro Castro
•Exactly. The cost of a new filing is nothing compared to the risk of losing perfection on an $850k security interest.
0 coins
Monique Byrd
•And document everything. Keep records of when you learned about the name change, when you filed the new UCC-1, everything. Bank examiners love documentation.
0 coins
Jackie Martinez
Thanks everyone for the advice. Sounds like the consensus is pretty clear - file a new UCC-1 rather than risk the amendment approach with names this different. I'll get that started this week. Really appreciate all the practical guidance from people who've been through similar situations.
0 coins
Lia Quinn
•Good choice. Better safe than sorry with UCC perfection issues.
0 coins
Haley Stokes
•Let us know how it goes! Always good to hear back on how these situations resolve.
0 coins