Ghosted by a Client? How to Recover Unpaid Invoices
Silence is deafening when money is owed. Follow this escalation process to get paid without needing a lawyer.
By David Chen · SaaS Founder
· 1 min read
Freelancing
It's a freelancer's worst nightmare. You deliver the work, send the invoice, and then... radio silence. Before you panic, follow this systematic approach.
Step 1: The "Did You See This?" Email
Assume innocence. Emails go to spam. Send a polite bump: "Just floating this to the top of your inbox."
Step 2: The Suspension Warning
If 30 days pass, send a notice: "To avoid service interruption, please settle this by Friday." If you host their website or manage their ads, pausing work is your biggest leverage.
Step 3: The Formal Demand Letter
Send a physical letter via certified mail. "Notice of Intent to Collect." Mention that unpaid invoices will be reported to credit bureaus. This usually triggers immediate payment.