UCC search Idaho portal showing conflicting results - anyone else seeing this?

I tried a few variations but maybe not enough. The debtor name has 'Inc.' at the end - should I be searching with and without that?

Definitely try both. Also try 'Incorporated' spelled out. Idaho's database doesn't always handle abbreviations consistently.

This is why I always do at least 4-5 different name variations for every search. Better safe than sorry when you're dealing with liens.

Same here. I keep a checklist of variations - with/without punctuation, abbreviated vs spelled out, different word orders if applicable.

That's a good point about the comma. I'll try being more systematic with the variations.

How does that work exactly? Do you upload the UCC search results or the actual filings?

You can upload PDFs of your search results and any UCC documents you're comparing. It automatically checks for name variations and catches discrepancies you might miss manually.

That sounds useful. I'm definitely making mistakes trying to cross-check everything manually.

Days?? That's terrifying. How are you supposed to do accurate lien searches if recent filings don't show up?

You have to call them directly for anything time-sensitive. The online search is more of a starting point than a complete picture.

I've been using exact match mostly. I'll try contains and see what comes up.

Contains will give you a lot more results but it's worth it. You can always narrow down from there.

At least Idaho has an online system. Some states still make you call or fax for searches.

True, but a bad online system might be worse than no online system if it gives you false confidence.

Exactly my point. I'd rather know I need to call than think I did a complete search when I didn't.

I don't have other filing numbers - I'm trying to find what liens might already exist on this debtor.

In that case you're stuck with name searches. Just be extra thorough with the variations.

Good point. Also check if they've changed their legal name recently - old filings might be under the old name.

I hadn't thought about DBA names. I'll need to research what other names they might use.

Do they actually help when you call? Some state offices are pretty useless on the phone.

Hit or miss depending on who you get, but they can at least confirm if there are filings you're not seeing in the online search.

How much does something like that cost? Sounds like it could be worth it for important deals.

The value is definitely there when you consider the cost of missing a lien. Much cheaper than dealing with a priority dispute later.

I'll look into that. Missing a lien would be a disaster on this deal.

That's a good idea for thorough searches. Time consuming but comprehensive.

I do something similar - search by just the last name if it's a person, or the main business name without entity type.

Ha! Yes, definitely Idaho. The business operates here and that's where we filed our UCC-1.

Had to ask - we've all been there at some point!