US heating oil dealers clamp down on unpaid bills

U.S. heating oil dealers are using new software to weed out clients who may not pay their bills as Americans gear up for another winter of high fuel costs in the world’s top consumer.

Heating oil dealers in New York City, Long Island, and Connecticut have turned to real-time information software provided by a consumer reporting agency that allows data-sharing to track delinquent clients — a more common problem with the rise in prices.

The data-sharing software, called “Oil Well,” allows dealers to share information with each other about clients who do not pay their bills on time.

Reuters