In early 2023, a global technology provider based in the UK completed a multi-million-pound cybersecurity project for a California-based fintech firm. The project was delivered in full including design, hardware, installation, and a multi-year maintenance contract. Yet after months of work and a signed completion certificate, the final invoice remained unpaid.
The supplier chased the payment through internal teams, solicitors, and repeated demands. Still, nothing came through.
This is not a success story about how the debt was finally recovered. This is a warning. Because what happened in this case should never have reached that point. With the right systems and preventative risk controls, the debt might never have existed in the first place.
The Missed Flags That No One Noticed
The contract was governed by UK law, but the client was based in the US. That detail alone should have triggered deeper jurisdictional consideration before the project began. But like many high-growth businesses, the tech supplier prioritised delivery and scale over risk planning. The assumption was that a signed contract and a reputable client were enough to secure payment.
It wasn’t.
When the invoice went unpaid, the debtor initially cited vague internal issues: restructuring, missing paperwork, delays in scope review. None of these were valid, nor were they supported by the contract—but by then, the supplier had little leverage left to apply. And the cost of enforcing their rights was beginning to climb.
This Should Have Been Prevented
If VendSafe Global had been brought in before the contract was signed, three essential services would have been applied:
- Monitoring (Due Diligence): Our team would have assessed the debtor’s structure, payment history, and commercial standing in real-time. This includes red flag detection, global company validation, and hidden risk analysis. A service well beyond basic credit reports.
- Prevention (Contract Management): We would have reviewed and adapted the contract to address cross-border enforceability, late payment triggers, escalation timelines, and jurisdictional clarity. Too often, contracts are legally sound but practically unenforceable.
- Recovery Preparedness (Receivables Management): Even if delays occurred, our systems would have kicked in automatically to escalate communications strategically. Not reactive panic, but a measured response with legal and commercial leverage in place.
When It Was Too Late, Recovery Was the Only Option
Once the situation became critical, the case was handed to our sister company, Payfor Global. After a detailed review, it was clear the client had strong legal standing but the gap between rights and results had widened.
What followed was a structured recovery campaign. The pressure worked. A full payment plan was secured and honoured within weeks without going to court.
Yes, it ended well. But it never should have started badly.
The Real Cost of Poor Prevention
What this story really shows is how preventable most bad debts are. It’s not just about clients “refusing to pay.” More often, it’s businesses unknowingly walking into unprotected deals, missing clear warning signs, using generic contracts, and assuming that legal jurisdiction equals practical control.
When things go wrong, it’s always expensive. Even if you recover the money, the damage to cash flow, morale, and internal bandwidth can be significant.
Don’t Leave Your Revenue to Chance
At VendSafe Global, we specialise in stopping this kind of situation before it starts. Our full-circle commercial risk service helps B2B companies trade with confidence without leaving themselves vulnerable to disputes, delays, or deliberate avoidance.
We help you:
- Vet clients before they become a problem.
- Structure contracts that stand up globally.
- Isolate and resolve late payment cases without draining your team.
If you want to prevent bad debts, not just chase them—talk to VendSafe today.
