Dutch consumers who find themselves in
a debt collection process are harassed by the debt collectors,
who are poorly regulated by the Dutch judicial system, and usually end
up deeper in debt.
This shocking finding has become
evident from an analysis made by the Dutch Consumer Association ( Nederlandse Consumentenbond) of
complaints they received at their "Debt Complain Center hotline"
which was opened in the spring of this year
On this Hotline more than 200 personal,
often deeply disturbing and emotional stories, have disclosed how
inhumane people are treated .
The Consumers Association says the
situation is totally out of control and Bart Combée, Director of
the Dutch consumer association says: “the human
dimension in this process is completely lost.
If consumers want to contact the collection agency, they often get no answer or the door slammed in their face. If the collection train runs once, he can not stop it, otherwise, than by paying”.
If consumers want to contact the collection agency, they often get no answer or the door slammed in their face. If the collection train runs once, he can not stop it, otherwise, than by paying”.
The most common complaints about the
Dutch debt collection processes are rapidly increasing and not
clearly specified costs. Threatening letters about wage garnishment,
foreclosure sales or lawsuits. Even if the debt collection agencies
are not empowered to do so, or when it only concerns a debt of a few
euro's.
The Consumer Association wants the
Judiciary to establish clear and precise regulations concerning the
procedures to be followed by Dutch collection agencies and want the
Judiciary to firmly intervene when collection agencies violate these
rules. It also recommends that companies, collection agencies and
bailiffs should be more accessible and willing to offer more
customization to the process.
It also wants to see that the
intimidating behavior of the collection agencies be addressed
immediately..
Bart Combée, Director of the Consumer association says:
'The human dimension is lost. If consumers want to contact the
collection agency, they often get no answer or the door slammed in
their face.
Once the collection train starts running, it wont stop, otherwise than by paying, usually a lot more than you expected. Even if you dispute a claim. "
Once the collection train starts running, it wont stop, otherwise than by paying, usually a lot more than you expected. Even if you dispute a claim. "
Some
claims are even based on debts made by deceased parents of the
people who received the claim under one of the many archaic and outdated
laws still on the books in the Netherlands including those labelled
under hereditary responsibilities.
The Dutch Consumer Agency also wants the Netherlands parliament to intervene in this matter.
