What is the process called when borrowers default on their debts?

The process when borrowers default on their debts is referred to as collections. This term encompasses the various actions that creditors or collection agencies undertake to recover outstanding debts from borrowers who have failed to meet their repayment obligations. When a borrower defaults, it signifies that they have not made the required payments on their loans or debts, prompting the lender to initiate collections efforts.

Collections involve a range of activities, including contacting the borrower to remind them of their obligations, negotiating payment plans, or, in more severe cases, involving legal proceedings to recover the owed amounts. This process is critical for both maintaining the lender's financial health and assisting borrowers in understanding the implications of their defaults.

In contrast, the other terms presented do not accurately capture the phenomenon of debt default and recovery efforts. Commission-only sales refer to a compensation structure where a salesperson earns commissions through sales without a base salary, Collected Funds pertains to funds that have been confirmed as available after being deposited, and Combined Terminated Merchant File relates to a database of businesses that have had their merchant accounts terminated due to various reasons, which is unrelated to the debt recovery process.