Credit transactions or purchases on account are now the norm in almost every industry. Whether it is purchasing from a mail-order firm, setting up a mobile phone account or, more frequently, conducting an over-the-counter retail transaction. The motto increasingly applied is: "buy now, pay later".

However, the increasing assumption of debt by consumers represents a significant risk for lenders.

Other risk factors, such as the high level of customer anonymity in mail-order transactions, also increases the risk of bad debts. The result is payment defaults running to hundreds of thousands of euros each year. You can protect yourself from such a scenario by building up the most objective picture possible of the purchasing habits and payment behaviour of your business partners.

Avoid risk by using sound knowledge and scorecards right from the start of the business relationship. Only by recognising the chances and risks correctly and in good time will you be able to draw up adequate alternatives for action and secure advantages in your market.