Answer] Shark Patrol has taken steps to safeguard the integrity of its data and prevent unauthorized access. These measures are designed to prevent corruption of data and block unknown or unauthorized access to our systems and information.

Our servers are equipped with intrusion detection and are located behind a secure firewall. Some of our Services are password-protected so that only members have access to Information. Once logged into the members' secure area, our system tracks and logs every action a member makes during each session.

We never ask members for their password in an unsolicited phone call or email.

We do not transmit Personal or Credit Information via email. Rather an alert is sent by email or text message, directing the Member to log in to the secure Member's section of our Site.

The only time members can 'see' who you are doing business with is when you leave an adverse rating, and they are either also monitoring your customer or are performing credit checks on the customer before doing business.

Answer] It is a very common practice for delinquent directors to simply walk away from one venture and set up / hide behind a new company / trading entity. And it has not previously been easy to tie them back to their past. Members have access to a range of members-only resources, which include templates and suggested wording for Credit / Contract Application forms.

Members have the option to have potential new customers sign an application form that contains provision for credit reporting on each and every director of this company. (See sample Credit Application form) This allows SHARK PATROL LIMITED to report on each and every director and their habits as reported by its members in any directorship they may hold, or have held.

For example: A report might say that SHARK PATROL LIMITED has no members reporting against XYZ Company with B Blogs and W Shark as directors, however, SHARK PATROL LIMITED has x number of members reporting against B Blogs under however many entities. (Data matching ensures enough criteria are matched for positive identification).

Answer] Any individual or company has the right to request from the company's data controller confirmation of whether or not the data controller has data relating to them, in accordance with Shark Patrol's ' Code of Ethics'.

Also see: Summary of Rights and Accessing your Data File

Click here to contact us for further information

Answer] Firstly, Shark Patrol's does not store or gather debt / transaction information. Shark Patrol is a database of members who are prepared to tell other members of their experiences with their customers.

If a member has given you a negative rating, and there is a dispute over this transaction, Shark Patrol may at its sole discretion correct or delete this rating. However, if there is more than one negative rating against you, the collective voice of our members speaks for itself.

Also see: Summary of Rights, Accessing your Data File and Complaints Procedure

Click here to contact us for further information

Answer] No person other than a subscriber or an officer or other authorised employee of Shark Patrol shall have access to the database.

Answer] We suggest that you contact the member, they may simply have forgotten to amend the rating.

However, experience shows that if this was an isolated indiscretion, then you are also likely to have other members who have given you positive ratings. Thus, your positive ratings should outweigh the one negative. It is also likely that the member who has left the negative rating will eventually tell others that you did pay.

Answer] Short answer, nothing!

BUT! if a member is found to abuse the system, then depending on the situation and they correct the information immediately (as would happen with genuine case of mistaken identity or human error) they would stay a member on a 'two strikes and you're out' basis - one more abuse / mistake and their membership is terminated.

However, it is perceived that in most cases, where the act was intentional, their membership will be terminated immediately. Additionally, any enquiries about this ex-member in the future result in a response that SHARK PATROL LIMITED has adverse experiences to report.

Additionally, the Shark Patrol Conditions of Subscription / Terms of Use our members agree to includes the following:

INFORMATION CONSENTS
Each subscriber will guarantee to SHARK PATROL LIMITED that legal consents as may be necessary from present or future legislation will be obtained prior to submission of any information to SHARK PATROL LIMITED for inclusion on the database.

INTEGRITY OF INFORMATION
Information to be provided to SHARK PATROL LIMITED by subscribers for storage on the database shall be relevant to the concept and purposes of a trade reference bureau. It shall be accurate, complete and current at the date it is supplied and shall be updated as frequently as reasonably possible to maintain the integrity of the database.

VERIFICATION OF INFORMATION
Where SHARK PATROL LIMITED learns of any dispute about the veracity of any information on its database but is unable itself to determine the true position it shall delete the information or qualify the record as appropriate. Where SHARK PATROL LIMITED has reasonable cause to doubt the accuracy or relevance for the purpose(s) for which the database is established of any information it shall correct or delete the information as appropriate.

Answer] In the first instance contact the member directly. If this does not resolve the situation then contact SHARK PATROL LIMIMTED. The provisions under the Privacy Act and Credit Reporting Privacy Code 2004 are incorporated within the Membership Agreement / General Terms of Use, which include:

VERIFICATION OF INFORMATION
Where SHARK PATROL LIMITED learns of any dispute about the veracity of any information on its database but is unable itself to determine the true position it shall delete the information or qualify the record as appropriate. Where SHARK PATROL LIMITED has reasonable cause to doubt the accuracy or relevance for the purpose(s) for which the database is established of any information it shall correct or delete the information as appropriate.

Also see: Summary of Rights , Accessing your Data File and Complaints Procedure

Click here to contact us for further information

Answer] Members know that they must exhaust all normal means to collect or settle the debt before posting a negative, or caution, rating. In essence, the member will probably not want to do further business with this business.

Some businesses habitually dispute their accounts merely to delay payment, and if an inquiry on the SHARK PATROL LIMITED database results in numerous instances of disputed accounts, then you know in advance of this habit. Should you still choose to do business, then you should be able to mitigate this happening to you or structure the arrangement in such a way that you are not disadvantaged - charge them more.

Answer] Often the ability to pay is the result of not being paid ourselves (and / or business climate changes) and many businesses, large and small experience these fluctuations.

However, these blips are normally weathered and your suppliers understand and continue to trade with you and would not normally report you to SHARK PATROL LIMIMTED. It is also another point of difference. SHARK PATROL LIMITED is fairer than Traditional Reporting Agencies, because members can change the rating back to Positive.

Members can talk with each other and determine the extent of the issue, and when asked most will report that you have been OK in recent times.

Example: A SHARK PATROL LIMITED report on you might then state that 9 members are happily doing business with you and 2 have rated their experience as either cautious or negative - it's still in your favour.

Answer] The Shark Patrol search offers more in-depth information relating to the company in question, houses it all in one place, and is supplemented in near-real-time with ratings from other Shark Patrol members. And remember, if there are no adverse ratings on the report, it's FREE!

Click here to see how Shark Patrol checks work

Answer] There's always a delicate balance when managing your debtors. The most important thing is to have a clear plan.

Click here for FREE hints and tips on how to manage this process.

If you need help in actually collecting a debt, Shark Patrol can step in on your behalf. We have experience in this area and rest assured we will act in the most professional manner!

Click here for more information on how we can help resolve your debt issues

Click here to join Shark Patrol now for FREE!