Victim of unfair collection tactics

Last week's column on unethical collection practices drew a lot of reactions and rejoinders from my readers. But this particular email really stood out, as it was really something that I cannot stomach- the use of unfair collection tactics or unethical means to be able to extract blood from the debtor.

I know that the debtor here is not entirely the victim per se, but there are "rules of engagement" set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) that protects the basic rights of debtors.            

I took the liberty of reprinting part of her email (it was really long) to let it out in the open the unfair or unethical collection practices being employed by some collection agencies - you be the judge! I purposely put an XXXX to the names to be also fair to her and to the other parties.

"Good morning sir, I was browsing and I saw your article on the net, I read on and it was cool. I attached here a copy of complain I sent to BSP and NBI about a situation I experienced last Friday, July23. Hope you can find time to read. Thank you".

"Dear BSP, I am Gemma XXXX, a working mother. I had a terrible story to share that just happened today, July 23, 2010. This certain collecting agency for XXXX Bank called me last week to settle my account that has been long due. But I had little payments made within this year for maybe twice. Then this certain Melissa XXXXX (maybe a pseudo name) called me in a very arrogant voice "o anong balak mo Ms. XXXXX?", I said I'm more than willing to settle that…. and I said I really want to pay but I can't for now. So I called last Thursday… because my mother complained that someone called in the name of XXXX who spoke in high tone, my mother said that she was really upset however, XXXX apologized for the act. Then I texted her asking her to call me then I said I hope that we won't get into harassments since I am very open with negotiations and I asked again, in my most pleasing voice and that I am very determined to settle this problem however I cannot settle this in one time payment, so I beg her to make another arrangement that I can pay an initial payment maybe at the end of this month and give me 6 months term so I can finish this problem at the earliest time I am capable of. I also told XXXX that I just had my maternity leave and just about to go back to work this coming Monday July 26, so I really have no big amount of money and I'm out of budget right now. Then while I was out my cousin texted me to call her house very urgently because someone called and my mother and my mother-in-law was nervous and really afraid. Then I called up home and my mother said that a certain Atty. XXXX from NBI in Taft Manila, from Warrant Division called us telling that someone complained me for a criminal case, that tomorrow July 24 some NBI men will get me at home and bring me to jail. He said that I call them ASAP. And so I called them at 796-XXXX this number they gave to my mom, I was able to talk to this certain Atty. XXXX, and he said they are from the warrant division of NBI, and that XXXX Bank has filed a complain against me in behalf of his compañero Atty. Patricia XXXXX. He said that I should call the collections agency ASAP to lift the warrant and so the desistance will be filed right away blahblahblah. I called the collections agency right away and the man who answered the phone said he was Mr. XXXX, and that (of all the days) XXXXX and Atty XXXXX were out of the office. (To be continued)

For questions and inquiries, he can be reached at 0917-7220521 or email him at

[email protected]