When a merchant cash advance (MCA) funder starts calling, emailing or threatening action, responding immediately may feel like the safest move. Before you do, check what the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filing actually says.
Verifying a UCC filing will not resolve every issue, but it can help you enter the conversation with facts instead of pressure-driven assumptions.
Start with the New York UCC search
In New York, UCC filings are available through the New York Department of State. You can search online by debtor name or filing number.
Use the exact legal name of your business, not a trade name, shortened name or informal version. For example, if your company is registered as “ABC Restaurant Group LLC,” searching only “ABC Restaurant” may not show the complete record. Small differences in the debtor name can affect the results, so compare the filing against your formation documents, MCA agreement and any notices you received.
If a demand letter, collection email or prior notice includes a filing number, search that number as well.
What to review in the filing
Once you find the record, read the basic details carefully. Focus on:
- The debtor name and address: Confirm that the filing identifies your business, not another company with a similar name.
- The secured party: Check whether the listed party matches the funder, collector or company contacting you.
- The collateral description: Review what the filing claims, such as accounts receivable, inventory, equipment or other business assets.
- The filing date: Note when the financing statement was filed, which is not always the same date a dispute began.
- Amendments or termination statements: Look for changes, assignments or records showing that the filing ended.
Save a copy of the search results. If the funder is making demands, you should not rely only on what someone tells you by phone.
Why this matters before the call
A UCC filing may make it harder for a business to qualify for new financing, raise concerns with vendors or business partners, interfere with contract opportunities or increase pressure if the funder claims rights to business assets or receivables.
Before responding to the funder, gather your MCA agreement, payment history, bank records, written notices and a copy of the UCC search results. Having those documents in front of you can help you spot inconsistencies, ask clearer questions and avoid relying only on the funder’s version of the facts.