says the state should start pursuing those debtors more aggressively, noting the money could help Louisiana cope with its deep budget shortfall. However, the division estimates hundreds of millions of dollars would be uncollectable[sic].

Debt collectors are not checking to see if phone numbers or addresses they have are actually the people who currently have the phone number or address, Sherry said.”The point of contact is some commissioned sales person. Of course, they’re going to try their best to get some money,” she said. Debt collectors often will use a technique called ‘’skip tracing,” a method to try to find any connection to a debtor — which can include finding neighbors, former employers or relatives.

”Skip tracers make huge leaps of faith. They may be looking for a Fletcher and see another Fletcher in northern California and start pestering that other Fletcher,” Sherry said.