Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Credit Card Woes - The Call

So now after a couple of years in Just-swipe-it Heaven, you find yourself in Barely-scraped-through-minimum-payment Purgatory heading towards Tell-them-I’m-not-here Hell!

For those of you who are inevitably plummeting down credit card debt hell, let me soften-up your landing a bit. And for those already wailing and gnashing their teeth from debt heat, let me ease your suffering a bit with a bucket of ice water.

That’s right folks, there is hope and respite from your credit card woes. But no, I’m not gonna help you pay. All I’m going to do is enlighten you a bit with regards to your situation.

Pop Quiz: You’re receiving maddening calls from seemingly very angry people calling you names, looking for you wherever you are, asking you to pay up.

What to do hotshot: Take the call if you can’t avoid it. Relax, take a deep breath, and sit down comfortably. Answer with a simple yes or no. No need to explain yourself, they’re not there to listen to you whine, they just want your money.
Now most of them will come on to you like mafia dons, shaming you with your inability to pay, threatening that they’re coming to get you and that slab of flesh from your behind.

Well, that’s what they think!

When that guy on the phone starts to raise his voice, just tell him this: "Mister, stop play-acting. I don’t owe you any money, you’re just a poor employee collector agent whatever, so don’t act as if it’s your money I owe."

Now that he has realized you’ve caught him in his act - (yup, that’s all it is, just an act, so relax!) -he can’t possibly get on with it anymore. Whatever he says afterwards will sound flat to you and to him too, like you’re hearing an old joke. Besides, he can’t really be mad, he’ll probably get a commission when he collects from you.

Some of these credit card collectors may try to harass and put you in embarassing situations and even if you're able to put them in their place, you find that the damage has already been done. Well, just grin and bear it, but I'll tell you this: It's just a phase. It will pass.

But what if the caller sounds like an angel from up high? Gently reminding you that you need to pay up or else...

He’s playing the good cop act then so just ignore the ‘or else’ stuff too. But this would be a good time to work-up a deal, just make sure it’s on your terms. Tell him how much you can comfortably pay in a month. If he relents, fine, but if not, you can go hang-up that phone. Don’t worry, he’ll call back. And be it good cop or bad cop, you’re gonna be ready.


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Related: The Letter, The Visit, Conclusion


Next… THE LETTER
Comment Page :

449 comments:

  1. u seem to know so much about delinquency. let me guess: either uv been a collector before or you just enjoy piling up your debt and not paying at all.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I was once as desperate as those who posted in this forum -> http://www.gov.ph/forum/thread.asp?rootID=34806&catID=23.
    But before that, I looked at those who had problems with credit card debt as wannabes who really can't afford it in the first place. That was until...
    Well anyway, I'm not endorsing non-payment of debts. My point is, if it's a choice between a square meal for your family or paying your credit card debt, heck, buy that meal.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you Argus Gable, you are a hero to a lot of us.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I really cant forget those experiences made by tele collector threatening me if I cant pay my debts,though I was able to pay partially before when I'm not getting sick then, but they dont really care at all. They even called me names, even my parents were not exempted by their acts. Do they really have the rights to condemn people having financially problem?

    ReplyDelete
  5. hello po...ask ko lang may tumwag kase dito sa office from prossecutor office daw xa... ipapadala nya na daw yung souphina ko on the next daw, ngayon pag hindi daw ako nag attend sa hearing pwede daw akong bigyan ng warrant of arrest..kelangan ko na ba mag panic...kase nung nagamit ko yung Credit card once ko lang xa nabayaran, and ito lang sep 29 this year....and ayaw nila pumayag na hulugan ko...what will i do?

    ReplyDelete
  6. The best thing you can do is; don't panic. Also, you have done your part; showing your willingness to pay. If they say they're sending you a subpoena, then just wait for it. If it doesn't happen as they say it would, then that should make you realize that they're just trying to scare you.
    Don't get tired of answering their calls and continue offering them terms you can really afford. Don't let them scare you into terms you can't afford.

    ReplyDelete
  7. would it be better to just pay continuously as the interest increases or negotiate with the bank? im afraid that if in negotiate, they would make me sign something. i really dont know how to deal any officer if ever i negotiate. =(

    ReplyDelete
  8. The best thing you could do is
    1. Stop using your credit card.
    2. Take out a loan with a lower interest rate than the one your credit card charges and which has a monthly payment you can really afford. The SSS Salary Loan is a good example. Then use the proceeds from this loan to pay off your credit card balance.

    In this way, you avoid paying your credit card's monthly interest which is really too high, and also avoid having to negotiate with the bank.

    ReplyDelete
  9. hi.. i just really need your advice, so same situation credit card thing, i usually pay my bills monthly, kaso last april until nw I work abroad, i still remmit some money and ask my mom to pay my bills,then even im abroad i email the bank to send me bill of statement for me to know my outstnding bal. i evn gave all my info's, they told me they'll fax back but i havnt recieve even 1 doc. recently my mom recieved a letter fr a leagl councel stated der dt i have to settle this amount in a short givn time, then I was so shocked wen my mom told me the outstading bal.nt even xpectng that was my outstanding bal. then i recieved a txt frm them that there is a criminl complaint against me (violation of RA 8484)so I scared coz dis is my 1st time to encountr such situation, can u advice me on what to do? actually im planning to call the person on mon. ang settle w/ thm and ask for terms of pymnt, can u help on what to say to thm. tnx a lot,, (pjei fr. SG)

    ReplyDelete
  10. PPJJ,

    Hi. If you can account for all your payments and credits, its better if you write a letter or email to your bank and state your case. Don't worry about the text, letter or call from the collection agency. Resume communication with the bank and tell them there might be some mistake in their billing. Assure your mom and the rest of your household that it's nothing and that they have nothing to be afraid of, even when the collection agency starts to get rude or annoying.

    If you think though that the billing is correct and you want to settle, make sure you don't get intimidated when you call the agency. Calculate beforehand what you can afford to pay and don't give in if they demand something unreasonably higher.

    Everything's ok.

    ReplyDelete
  11. hi thank you po sir sa reply, im so scare dyou knw kya na research ako about it, buti nla i found this site,, God bless

    ReplyDelete
  12. Mr. AG,

    Yesterday i was about to search on how to handle CC problems, since this gay agent from AIG keep on calling me and wanted to pay me in COLD CASH the amount of PhP17, 400.00 sabi nya kasi I can pay na lang half of my debt dahil discounted na yun, since I owe them 34, 800.00

    Siguro my mistake lang din kc na i promise to pay it on or before the 15th of December, then this week lang he keeps on calling sa mobile and office number, super foul words na talaga...

    what are the best ways to do kc I have 6 CCs, ang active at binabayaran ko lang dun is EASTWEST,BDO,HSBC and Metrobank...
    the banks EPCI AMEX, AIG and UNIONBANK hindi ko na binabayaran, worst is may napirmahan ako sa UNIONBANK, na I will pay that exact amount..hindi ba ko makukulong dun? its only 12k...


    thanks

    hope you could help!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sundei,

    Don't promise anything you can't keep.

    If you're paying multiple cards, I think you'd be better-off if you use the money you pay the other cards and completely pay-off 1 card first. Start with the card which charges the highest interest rates or the one which you could get to zero faster.

    I don't think you'll go to jail.

    Happy Holidays!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Financial problem is everywhere they have no right to scare you like that. But they do it I know because my friend had a bad experience like this. This surely teaches many of us a lesson here.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Actually I am having problems too right now. Im actually getting married soon and with all the wedding expenses I wasn't able to budget my money. Just a question, would you know how many months it would take before your name appears in their BAP or Adverse Findings? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Anonymous,

    Banks usually submit 'adverse findings' every month.

    'Adverse findings' usually affect applications for loans which are unsecured (no collateral loans). And a lot of people have 'adverse findings' whether or not they mis-used a credit card.

    Congrats on your upcoming wedding!

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  17. hi
    i just wanna ask hv credit card in BDO and Citibank and i sign in payment arrangement but since i am now financially incapacitated and i cant pay for my monthly bills, just wanna ask if they can file me a case regarding that matter, please help me.
    thanks

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Betzki,

    They make us sign so they can take us all to court if need be.
    So yes, they can file a case against you.
    Welcome to the club. Hehehe.

    Nice blog on marriage. So true...

    ReplyDelete
  19. I, too, have the same predicament. I have 7 credit cards under my name. I have been such a good payer until June of last year, when BDO Amex gave me a hard time because of a misposted payment.

    I have called them numerous times to try to work it out until such a time that I was finding it exhausting since they always ask me to keep repeating my concern, as if I didn't explain myself 10000 times. They were the only credit card company which made me cry because of Frustration.

    Anyway, so out of pride and the refusal to pay since they have no concern for me and my plight, they blacklisted me and therefore was denied from every loan application I tried to get from other loan companies, which for my salary range should not have been a problem. Because of this, I got so angry with BDO, that even my BDO Credit Card, I decided not to pay.

    I recently got the "demand letter" after several harrassments made to my mom. Fortunately my 75 year old mom is still healthy or else she would have died bec of their harrassments.

    I consulted my lawyer friend and she suggested for me to pay for it. I said even if I can TRY to work it out, it would be like doing THEM a favor. Plus, I don't think they would erase me from the black list anyway? Or would they?

    ReplyDelete
  20. About my other 5 cards.

    Of course, I have my Citibank card. I had called them before, asking for a payment arrangement since i am over-extended because of all the bills and tuition payments I had to make, which is of course, my current priority.

    They wouldn't grant me a good deal since they were saying that my salary was less than all my projected expenses (Isn't that what "over-extended" means?)

    I owe Citibank a lot, and I really want to pay them, but they are not giving me any other option but to miss my payments, ergo adding more fees and finance charges to my balance, which is really frustrating. Here is someone who wants to settle her debt but you are just giving her a very hard time. Sometimes, I would just want to give up and just ignore ALL my card debt because of my current financial situation.

    Just wondering, if I do that, would it affect my SSS or PAG-IBIG loan applications?

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi JeMe,
    I believe the "black list" is something more like credit history information. And it's not only for credit card debt but for other institutions as well. Having a past due account in a telecommunication company can get you on that list. So I don't think it's something that gets erased. What more likely happens is, they look at your history and decide on whether the information there is still relevant or not.

    It won't affect your SSS and PAG-IBIG loan applications.

    ReplyDelete
  22. hi! i have a bdo credit card which they voluntarily issue to me, since they thought i have a lot of money from my personal bank account w/ them, which in fact is my mothers'--who just used my name since she cannot open up her own bank account due to insufficient id verification..so, i fall for the trap, of course.. now, the last swipe i made was on november 2008 - no payment until jan2009.. now, just the same things happen to me, received phone calls, demand letters from different law firm.. but just the other day, my sister told me they called our home, and say that they're gonna take things out of our house (my parent's house) because that is the address they have on their file.. is it possibLe? do they have the right to do that? i know they are mere collecting agents.. i read from this blog about the JSS thing.. what is this? anyway, i also mentioned above that i have a savings account with them, do i need to take all the money out? can i still open an account with other banks? Like BPI? i remember before that when my father has issues w/ citibank, he was prohibited opening a new bank account with BPI.. is it reaLLy their practice?

    anyway, i am also running away from citibank.. is it okay if i ignore them? cuz, i reaLLy don't have money to pay for them.. can i just ran away from them, even though they know where i live?

    thanks for your heLp..


    angeL

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Angel,

    No, they cannot take anything from your house or your bank account. They first have to file a case and then they have to win this case.

    I don't seem to remember any JSS thing... :)

    You can open an account with any bank.

    It's not ok to ignore them because you cannot really run away from them.

    Just don't let fear influence any of your decisions with dealing with them and keep yourself well informed.

    Relax,

    AG

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. cele mai bune retetete pentru Sarbatorile de Paste si nu numai le gasiti pe http://bucatariecalamamaacasa.blogspot.it.Adevarate retete traditionale romanesti

      Delete
    2. Good day!i have the same situation about credit card debts particularly Citibank card.3 years ago tumawag ako sa Citibank na gusto ko ng IPA cancel ang credit card ko din humingi din ako Sa kanila amnesty pro Hindi sila pumayag kasi daw active pa daw ang cc ko kasi binabayaran ko ang monthly minimum amount kaya wla akong nagawa that time.Last year they renewed my cc card kahit nag abiso na ako Sa kanila na huwag na nilang I renew ngayon nag charged na naman sila ng membership fee na 3k kc citibank shell gold card ang binigay nila Sa akin kaya tinawagan ko na naman sila ulit but the same pa rin ang sinasabi nila na still active pa daw ang card ko kahit di ko na ginagamit pro binabayaran ko pa rin ang monthly minimum amount.every month tumatawag ako Sa citibank asking for amnesty and I explain my situation na Hindi ko na talaga kayang bayaran ng bou ang credit ko kaya sinabi ko na babayaran ko within two to three years ang utang ko pero ayaw pa rin nilang pumayag Kaya i decided not to pay them since November 2014.this year marami ako calls ba natatanggap Sa Bahay then after that may email akong natatanggap galing Sa 24K accounts and consultant inc.demanding me to pay my account with particular date pro Hindi ko talaga kayang bayaran ang amount na hinihingi nila at ngayon na naman may natanggap na nman akong sulat from 24K accounts consultant inc na demand letter na naman.Please I need advice Kung ano ang dapat Kung gawin,makukulong ba ako?salamat po.

      Delete
  24. HI,

    aus ang site na to ask ko lang kung wanted n nga tau sa bangko ung sa akin HSBC at CITIBANk and tinatawagan nila tau kasi hindi nga tau nakakbayad kailangan b natin sagutin pa ung calls ang informed them na hindi na tau capable na bayaran ung utang or wag n lang sagutin ung tawag at matic n un? kya lang lalaki prin ung bills evry month symepre pati ung min amount due?

    Kailangan ko bng entertainin ung calls or ignore it.. pero ang totoo talaga hindi ko sya kyang bayaran sa dami ng gastos ko ngaun.

    pano ko maaasure ung sarili ko na wla sila magagawa sa kin at pwede n ko matulog ng mahimbing..

    kahit ba meron parin akong natatangap n letters from the bank and calls hayaan ko n lang b un? wla b dapat ako ipag alala?

    anong dapat gawin?

    salamat!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Anonymous,

    If I were you, I'd answer the call, so they can't say you intend to defraud.
    Of course the bill would increase every month but they can't do that forever. That's where their amnesty offer comes in.
    You can sleep well precisely because you don't have money. :) And because you're not trying to defraud.
    You cannot go to jail just because you don't have money but you can definitely go to jail if you tried to defraud. (Like pay them with a check from an account which have no funds.)

    Why be afraid of losing your shirt when all you have is a bowtie? Hehehe.

    Answer their calls. The truth shall set you free. ;)

    Sleep well...

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  26. to all credit card holders!!! try to be fair enough answer all calls even if you know that those came from a collection agency, in the first place it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!!! you should not use any beyond your capacity and now running away from it? MAHIYA KAYO! its not about the money or cant afford situation its how you gonna deal with it as argus gable said in one of his reply "truth will set you free". para hindi masabihan ng kung anu anong insulto face it! matutong makiusap at wag mag angas na parang gusto mo pang amuhin ka bayaran mo lang ang UTANG MO! this site offer lots of knowledge but it should not be way of scape for those who really have the intention to defraud."USE THIS SITE TO GAIN IDEA HOW TO DEAL WITH SUCH AND NOT TO FIND WAYS HOW TO ESCAPE FROM IT" im not a collector or belong to a banks if thats what you guys think, i also have cards were i able to maintain. i just have a co-employee na NAGTATAGO SA UTANG NYA!!! as a result pati kami ka opisina nya nadadamay! now think of it who is more evil the caller or the "hidding person?" hope my comment will be posted. thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. belong to a banks if thats what you guys think,

      very good.belongs to a banks

      Delete
  27. greetings in peace po.. first of all salamat po sa mga comments and info dito po sa blog na kung saan ay nagiging well informed ang bawat isa lalo na dun sa mga tulad nateng hindi tumatalikod sa obligasyon.

    magtatanong lang po sana and also seek for advice.bottom list na din aq ng isang walang pusong nilalang na maniningil.naging instant breadwinner po kc aq due to my father suffered from stroke pero so far ay nakakaraos naman. tumawag po aq sa CC company na may hawak before ng account ko to submit my letter of proposal.but then they told me na ala na sa kanila yung account kundi nandun sa walang pusong nilalang na maniningil.nalungkot aq bahagya pero based sa mga natutunan ko dito sa blog na ito ay malaki ang naitulong since willing naman tayo na isettle drop by drop ang debt.

    ask ko lang po sana what is the best thing i shall do now since lumalabas ayaw na din makialam ng CC company (HSBuwiset) sa anumang nais ko isuggest.?

    hoping for your replies mga kadaupang palad

    ReplyDelete
  28. To all,

    The intended audience for this blog series are not those who have the means to pay and simply don't want to pay. Keep in mind that what goes around, comes around. A time may come that you would need credit and not get it just because you were careless with it in the past.

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  29. Icetears,

    While waiting or negotiating for a good deal, deposit the amount you intend to pay into your personal account regularly. This way, when you've saved enough, you'll have a chance to settle with the best amnesty offer you can get.

    Hope your dad is getting better.

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  30. hello argus

    i just wanna ask
    may new law daw ngayon na they call
    SMALL CLAIMS CASES
    na kung saan pwede na maka collect ang bank thru that procedure...
    which only entails just 1 hearing and any decision cannot be appealed..

    ano po ba itong small claims cases?
    pwede po ba i-apply sa personal loan ko to para masingil nila ko?

    sa ngayon kasi i dont have money to pay them
    as of now jobless pa rin kasi ako..

    please enlighten me regarding this small claims case...

    thanks
    -nicole

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi Nicole,

    It's not a new law but actually a new venue (Small Claims Court) where ordinary folk (people like you and me) can take another person (a person who owes you money or goods) which involves amounts below P100,000.00 (which they call Small Claims Cases).

    I don't think banks would use that as a recourse simply because, in that venue, lawyers are not allowed.

    If your cousin owes you P10,000.00, and taking him to court would be more expensive, then the Small Claims Court would be the place to go. The only difference between this and taking him to your local baranggay would be, a judge would be handling the arbitration and not your baranggay officials.

    If you already have somebody you want to take in mind, just remember, you can't bring your lawyer. You got to argue your case yourself. And if somebody takes you, you're the only defense you got.

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  32. hello argus
    thanks for the reply

    one more question...

    If lawyer is not allowed there, how come this Molaer and Associates sent me a Formal Demand Letter saying that they gonna file a Small claims to collect money from me to pay my loan.

    Pwede po bang gamitin yun (Small Claims Cases) ng Molaer & associates?
    Actually di na yung bank ang nag send sakin ng letter...
    yung Collection agency (Molaer & associates) na po ang nag send ng letter na ipa-file na raw nila sa Small Claims yung case ko.

    thanks
    -armi

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi Armi,

    In a small claims court, nobody may be represented by a lawyer, unless the lawyer himself is the complainant or the defendant.

    As far as I know, if Molaer wants to file the case in a small claims court, Molaer himself should appear and represent himself. (that would be the day.)

    Now if let's say Molaer handles 100,000 bad debt cases and he files 10 cases a day and appears in all of them. He would be in court every day even on Sundays for the next 28 years.

    Anyway, if he did try to do it, we'll surely hear about it.

    In the meantime, let's just get on with our lives.

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  34. Just to make some comments to the anonymous guy who wrote this ....

    "to all credit card holders!!! try to be fair enough answer all calls ....... in the first place it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!!! you should not use any beyond your capacity and now running away from it? MAHIYA KAYO! .... argus gable said in one of his reply "truth will set you free". ..... parang gusto mo pang amuhin ka bayaran mo lang ang UTANG MO! ......."USE THIS SITE TO GAIN IDEA HOW TO DEAL WITH SUCH AND NOT TO FIND WAYS HOW TO ESCAPE FROM IT" ..... i also have cards were i able to maintain. i just have a co-employee na NAGTATAGO SA UTANG NYA!!! as a result pati kami ka opisina nya nadadamay! ....?" hope my comment will be posted. thanks!!! .
    ===============================
    Di ka nakatulong dre, nang insulto ka pa. Dadating din ang araw at di mo mababyaran kahit ang minimum due ng CC mo. Karamihan ng mga tumatakbo sa utang nila sa CC, eh dahil sa mga bastos at walang modo na pakikipag usap ng mga collecting agents. At ang isa pa, lumaki ang utang dahil sa mga hidden charges na ipinapatong ng mga bangko. Ang talagang may kasalanan dito, eh yung mga bangko at mga agente na nag promote at nagbigay ng credit cards. Ang mga CC holders eh nahulog lang sa paIn. Dre, may ka-opisina ka, di ba dapat siya ang tulongan mo at di yung mga callers na di mo naman kilala? Ang mga suggestions ni AG ay hindi para tumakbo at talikoran ang utang.

    ReplyDelete
  35. hi argus

    i got a letter from Molaer & Associates
    ni-re-represent daw nila ang HSBC
    may PERSONAL LOAN kasi ako sa hsbc amounting to 100K

    nag ooffer sila ng special promo instead of 100k ang utang ko
    i can only pay 45,265.02 and matatapos na obligation ko sa kanila.
    kaya lang argus wala akong pambayad sa ngayun.
    pareho kasi kaming jobless ng mister ko,.

    sabi sa letter if i failed to grab that promo and settle my loan
    they will file Civil case against me and my sposue
    under the rule of SMALL CLAIMS CASES...
    and they can also file crimincal case for violation of RA 8484

    (1) argus ano po ba ang procedure pag nag file sila sa small claims cases
    ipapatawag ba ko ng korte thru subpoena?
    o bibiglain nila ako ng warrant of arrest
    makukulong ba ako then i have to depend my self with my own lawyer?

    (2) ano ba rules pag nag file ba sila ng crimincal case
    tatanggapin ba agad ng court yun without preliminary investigation?
    pagka file ba nila ng crimincal case
    pwede na agad nila ako ipa-aresto?

    (3) pano ko malalaman kung may naka file ng complaint sakin sa court?

    please help me clear this matter on my mind...
    naguguluhan na talaga ko

    thanks
    ms. afraid

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi Ms. Afraid,

    (1) Yes, the court will inform you to appear on a specified date/time.
    Small Claims courts do not issue arrest warrants. Therefore you will not end up in jail.
    You can defend yourself but not with your own lawyer because no lawyers are allowed in Small Claims cases.

    (2) This can only happen if the court sees the urgency and seriousness of the case at hand. But in your case which is below 100k, a Small Claims court would be more appropriate.

    (3) If there was a complaint filed, you'd be holding a copy of it right now.


    AG

    ReplyDelete
  37. hi
    good day argus

    i have a personal loan with hsbc
    amounting to 75K.
    may tumatawag sakin na
    collection agency and they keep on
    threatening me na ihahabla daw nila ko

    i just wanna ask...
    nakapag sign kasi ako sa collectiong agency na i will pay
    my loan on or b4 dec. 15
    (i know i shouldnt do that)
    pero natakot kasi ako sa mga threats nila
    ngayun ko lang kasi nabasa tong blogs mo
    sayang, mas na inform sana ko
    kung nakita ko agad tong blogs mo

    pwede na ba nila kong idemanda
    if di ko ma meet yung date na na sign ko?
    ano yung consequences ng pag sign ko sa knila?

    please help me clear this matter

    thanks


    ngayun ko lang nakita tong website mo

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hi Anonymous,

    Yes, they can file a case against you using the document you signed.
    Consequences? They can take you to court.
    But since your loan is less than P100k, maybe they'll take you to a Small Claims court as they usually mention.
    See my reply to Armi, Sep.21,2009 in this article about Small Claims cases.

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  39. thank you Sir Argus, i've just read this blogs, my question is can the collecting agency can actully sieze up all my personal properties in behalf of my unpaid loan at standard charterd that is growing higher,they had demanded me the amount of 23k w/c i can't pay as of now... pls inlightened my mind

    ReplyDelete
  40. my total loan amount is 75k, now its down to 23k, but during the crises, the company ive work on is in a slow down scheme for almost 5mos. and i was not able to continue paying my monthly dues, now i was been harrass by molaer law firm, that they will take my personal belongings whithin this week after i recieve the text message, pls tell me what to do, can they realy do that, comfiscates my owned personal properties? thanks in advance sir argus, god bless person like you, who is unselfishly render his knowledge and advise to people like me who is in deep debt. coz i have 3 CC and 3 personal loans on the banks, all of them are harrassing me, pls kindly advise me of what to do.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi saonmanioi66,

    No, they cannot confiscate your properties.

    Happy Holidays!

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  42. hello argus
    i signed a written agreement with Molaer & Associates last december 2009. I promise to pay the amount of 45K (discounted price-original loan was 105K) on December 15. i paid only 20K. the remaining balance of 25K still unpaid up to now.
    nag text na sakin ang molaer. ito po ang sabi:
    "Wat happened to your payment? We are trying to help you to pay your debt with citifinancial. Alalahanin mo may pinirmahan ka saming documents. We will pursue your case and make a formal petition for the immediate released of your warrant."

    Argus... possible ba yung sinasabi nila? natatakot po kasi ako dahil may pinirmahan akong papeles sa kanila eh.

    please give me advice on what to do.

    thanks

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hi,

    If you have money, pay.

    Can they get a warrant? Naaah.

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  44. argus
    may question lang po ako..
    tumawag ulit yung Molaer and associates...
    itutuloy na daw nila yung case against me
    binigyan po nila ako ng Case number ang number 09-537
    under MTC branch 1 Manila
    kay Fiscal Ryan Lim

    pano ko po ma-ve-verify kung totoo to?

    nakipag usap po kasi ako sa kanila
    yung 25K kong balance ginawa nilang 40K
    kailangan ko daw bayaran until friday
    if not ipapa issue na nila ko ng warrant.

    ano po ba gagawin ko?

    -please advise

    ReplyDelete
  45. me again argus

    another question in mind:
    sabi sakin ng molaer, they filed ESTAFA case against me kaya pwede na silang mag pa issue ng warrant

    (1) ganun ba talaga yun? di na ba ko makaka received ng complaint letter or any letter informing me na may case ako?
    (2) pag ESTAFA ba, pwede ako ipa warrant w/o informing me na may nag complaint sakin?

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hi,

    You still need to receive a copy of the filed complaint for you to say that what they're telling you is true.

    AG.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Hi AG
    good day po!laking pasalamat ko kasi nakita ko itong site mo at laking tulong sa mga taong may problema sa CC na tulad ko.ang problema ko po more than 1 year na po na hindi ko nabayaran ang 4CC ko kasi nga po wala akong pambayad pero ngayon po medyo nakakaraos na ng konti plano ko sanang bayaran ng paunti2x pero takot ako na pagtumawag ako sa kanila idemand na nila bayaran lahat yun ang hindi ko na po kaya kasi nga po bago umalis hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses nila akong tinakot.sila po ang reason nagpursige akong umalis para mabayaran ko sila.tulungan nyo po ako anong dapat kung gawin worry po ako kasi alam ko super laki na ng interest noon.maraming salamat po inadvance and GOD BLESS PO!

    troubled lady

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hi Troubled Lady,

    Sorry for the late reply..
    Just wait for them to contact you.
    Don't worry, everything will work out right.
    Meanwhile, just save the cash you're planning to use for payment.

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  49. Hi!! I was wondering if you know what to do with my family's problem... my mom passed away of cancer last year. she left several cards with debts amounting to 200K for some. We weren't left of any more money than to get us by for the next dew months until we can stablize our income. My dad is still living and he is a retired government employee receiving a small pension from GSIS. How do we handle her debts? Are we obligated to sell our house ( named after her and my dad) to pay the debt off? Also, 2 months before she died she was approved of a personal loan from standard chartered and when the time to pay the monthly payments came she already passed away? now their claiming that she intentionally planned to this? like she planned to die? I wrote to the banks and sent them her death certificate but some like AIG and BDO keep sending us bills and threats with intrest rates still appearing due to non-payment. Can you pls advise me what to do? Im only 23 years old... I have never owned a credit card and has no idea how to deal with this. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hi Anonymous,

    Am sorry to hear of your loss.
    Credit card debt is a type of unsecured loan. Meaning no-collateral was required when credit was issued.
    You are not responsible for paying the debt off and never will be. Don't let any creditor of your mom convince you otherwise. Unless you co-signed any of those loans.
    Your dad may be responsible if the Card's or the personal loan's Terms and Conditions specifically state that liability is automatically assumed by the spouse upon death of the Cardholder.

    But again, these types of credit are unsecured, so they usually are the last priority when settling claims to a deceased person's estate. That is the creditor's risk and they don't have any choice but to absorb the loss.

    23? You have your whole life ahead of you. Make your mama proud.

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  51. Please I need your advise re: my citibank credit card debt. Before po ako nasama sa retrenchment sa office last 2007, I was a good payer. But after po, I can no longer afford to pay the minimum amount due monthly. Good thing po our office was kind enough to hire me as one of their contracted workers (with a minimum salary). So I started to pay only P500 or any amount I could afford every month para po to avoid na masabihan ako delinquent payer. But last 2009, I started to receive notices/demand letters from CITIbank collection dept. to pay the full amount of P55,000+ (which includes daw the interest & other charges). If I failed to pay them daw my case will be dealt with accordingly...meaning siguro they will sue me. Sa takot ko I went to CITIbank office to negotiate but they told me to call their customer service to which they referred me naman to call a collecting agency/law office(?). When I called the law office, they were kind(?) enough to give me a promo. I will just have to pay only P25,000 within 15 days and my case will be cleared. Since I don't have the means to produce that big amount, I negotiated if I could pay only P20,000.00 within a month to which the collector agreed as long as I pay citibank P10,000 within the day as partial payment. Thankfully that time I have a savings of that amount. So I complied. But then when I'm about to pay my last payment, the collector told me that the amount of P20,000 we agreed upon was not approved by the bank. That I need to pay the total of P25,000. Again, I agreed to pay the said amount as long as I receive from them an agreement or letter stating that if I pay the full amount of P25,000 I will receive a certificate from the bank that my account has been settled. They gave their promise so I paid the bank P7,500 and I told them the remaining balance will be settled as soon as I receive the letter or agreement. But until now I have not receive any letter from them. Then just yesterday I was surprised to receive a call from a different law office telling me that I have to pay the P55,000+. I explained to them the transactions I made with the collector I first talked to. The answer they gave me was that the payments I made were already forfeited and will no longer count. They demanded that I pay again another P20,000 within three weeks or else they will file a case against me. Will that be possible? Is it true that the payments I made can no longer be counted? Ayaw naman nilang hulughulugan ko for two months..Please help me...what will I say to them in case they call again? What will I do?...my contract will end this September and I will be unemployed na.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Hi Ms. Don't Know,

    You are running around like a scared rabbit.
    Relax.
    Keep your proofs of payment and they do count regardless of whatever lie they tell you.
    If they call again, calmly tell them that you already paid. After that, limit your answers to, ahmmm..., ah...... mhmmmm... and other vowels you like.
    You will be provoked. RELAX.
    They can file a case, but they will NOT for such a measly amount as your balance.
    Finding a more stable job should be what you are focusing on.
    We all get those calls, so don't get the feeling they're singling you out. But you're becoming their favorite because you keep shelling out money.
    Buying a nice new outfit to wear for job interviews would be a better way to spend your money.
    Besides, why continue to pay if they keep telling you it doesn't count?

    Cheers!!!

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hi, pls enlighten me. I received a call from a certain Fiscal Ryan Lim of the Manila Prosecutors Office daw. My ipafile daw na case skin ang law office ng citifinancial. Pwede ko padaw maiwithraw ang case pag nakipagcoordinate ako sa law office binigay ang number. Di ako tumawag for I knew it was a total hoax. The next day, wala ako sa bahay, may dumating daw na pulis. binigay nila number nung fiscal ryan lim kuno.

    I had my own validation only to get surprised that the Fiscal does not exist and is never connected with the Manila Prosecutors Office and that the number he is using 3773922 is not located in Manila but Makati.

    My question is, tama ba ung ginawa ng mga pulis na pumunta sa bahay para lang sabihin na tawagan ko ung ryan lim? wala ata due process dun. they just wanted to degrade and embarass me. I had this feeling na nabribe lang ang pulis ng law office o may kakilala. How shall I treat this concern? pls help

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Hi Anonymous,

    Nope, the police or any public official for that matter, have no business collecting debts or doing work for debt collectors.
    If they were really police officers (in uniform/in a police car), you can get their names or anything that you can identify them with (police car number) and report them to their precinct.
    If you don't want the hassle of doing so, just be cool and talk to them as they are not there to arrest you or anything. You or your neighbors can even take it as an opportunity to report crime or peace and order issues in your area which should be what they need to be busy with in the first place.
    What the collector is trying to do is to force you to initiate contact and call them back - which you don't have to do.

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  55. Hi, thanks for your response. Yes, they were using a police car. But unfortunately, my in-laws didn't get the plate number and the names of police officers, yet several people witnessed that they indeed arrived. I was not there but they did not come to arrest me but just to send an informal complaint from a certain law office na di naman pinareceive, instead pinilasan ang papel at nilagay ang kontak number ng fiscal kuno. I am not bothered for I knew mga kalokohan ginagawa nila. Lucky it was me who is still young, panu kung may sakit sa puso, they could have triggered heart attack, do you agree?

    Also, alam kong I can never be filed with a complaint becoz I am still paying monthly sa amount na kaya ko, say 500php just for them to see that my account is moving and I do not have the intention of running from my obligations, db? Nasan ang justice dun? Gusto lang nilang mang demoralize...tsk tsk tsk...

    Anyway, I had this tip from a certain person that the proper authority to take actions on harassment by law offices is the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.. If you encounter this kind of harassment, file a formal complaint with the BSP addressed to Ms. Belinda Caraan, the head of Financial Affairs Group. Madami daw ganitong cases pero ang problem wla daw nagcocomplain kaya di sila maka-act kaya tayong mga na-victimized could do this. Para madala naman sila....Okay???????

    ReplyDelete
  56. "Anyway, I had this tip from a certain person that the proper authority to take actions on harassment by law offices is the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.. If you encounter this kind of harassment, file a formal complaint with the BSP addressed to Ms. Belinda Caraan, the head of Financial Affairs Group. Madami daw ganitong cases pero ang problem wla daw nagcocomplain kaya di sila maka-act kaya tayong mga na-victimized could do this. Para madala naman sila....Okay???????"

    To the anonymous person who posted this, many many thanks. To Mr Argus Gable, thank you for your informative blog, God bless you. Anyway, I do have a query with regards to my own predicament. As of now, like the majority who posted comments in your blog, I too have a credit card problem. The bank is calling me to settle my account; it is not yet the collector company. Now, I would like to write a proposal letter to BDO Mastercard so that I can tell them that I can only pay Php1500 and not the Php5000 monthly. At least I am still going to pay them. I would like to know where can I send my letter or email? would you be able to help me/us in this matter? I would appreciate your response. Thank you very very much.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Hi vcj2028,

    So sorry for the late reply. Just been to a place where internet access is sort of choppy. :)

    With BDO credit cards, a good place where you can start communications with them would be to email them at callcenter@bdo.com.ph or to call their toll free customer service numbers 1-800-10-6318000 and 1-800-3-6318000 (Digitel) or if you're in Metro Manila; (+632) 631-8000. You can then ask them to assist you to where you can direct your concerns.
    Hope this helps.

    Thank you,

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  58. Thank you very much for the inspiring message to help your readers knowledgeable how to handle this like of situation.

    I read all the emails of this site at thankfull ako kasi nabasa ko at may mahihingan ako ng payo. Nagkarun po ako credit card way back year 2004 credit limit kopo ay 20k. Sa ngayon nagpadala po sa akin ng Letter ang Law office ng Domingo Molaer for giving the amnesty amount 25k but i dont have money kaya di kona nasagot ang letter nila. But i want it to pay as of now im lack of money but they stated to their first letter pag di daw po nagcomply magback to regular amount at i file daw nila ang case against me and may husband. Pwede ba nila gawin yun na isama pati ang aking asawa at file daw nila sa akin criminal and civil case against me and my spouse. And sa ngayon ang amount na demand nila sa akin ay nasa
    800k na panu ko pa mababayaran yan eh sobrang laki naman. At yung binigay nilang amnesty wala rin talaga ako pera sa ngayon. Anu ba pede kong gawin para kahit dun sa amnesty maextend nila ang gagawin kung pagbabayad at pwede po ba yun sa December nalang ako magbabayad pag 13th month pay na kasi sa ngayon wala talaga akong pera. Anu po ba pwede kong gawin.Binibigyan nalang nila ako ng 3 days after i receieved the 2nd letter na no extendeble of 3days. Please Help me how to settle.I wait your reply thank you very much.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Hi aubrey afraid gurl,

    As I've said before, you can only worry about paying if you have money. if you don't have money, what you should be worried about is how to earn or save more.
    In the meantime, since you and your husband are NOT going to jail, save up and wait for a better amnesty offer. One that you can really afford to pay.
    Don't worry about the 3 days.

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  60. I received a call just a couple of weeks ago from a bank saying I have an outstanding balance of 400+K with AIG and that they are offering an amnesty. The lawyer said that my last payment to AIG was 7 years ago. It seems AIG no longer exists and that AIG credit card has since been transferred or is now being handled by this bank.

    I did not receive any billing all these years. We moved places several times but they were able to contact me thru my parents number.

    Just so we can verify, I asked the bank for a detailed statement of account showing the breakdown of charges and interest. All they could give was a Statement of Account with one line and one lump sum figure for the current month of Sept 2010 amounting to 400+K. They said the documents are not available.

    We have money troubles and I don't remember anymore if I had an outstanding cc balance with AIG or not!

    I took all their calls in the last 2 weeks but told them I could not commit to pay. They said they will file legal proceedings for Violation of Article RA 8484 Article 315. Thanks to this forum, I now know from your advice that I should not sweat it out and just remain calm.

    I definitely cannot afford to pay but pretending that I can... Should I pay even if I cannot check what they are charging me with and how the interest accrued over the years?? Can they charge me a sum without showing where it came from? If this goes to litigation, will this hold in court??

    Thanks
    HASSLED

    ReplyDelete
  61. Hi Hassled,

    You are correct.
    They should be more worried about this than you.
    If they don't have proof regarding exactly what you owe, then they can't say either whether you're already fully paid or not. So as far as you can tell or recall, you don't owe them anything. Charge it to bank error.


    AG

    ReplyDelete
  62. Hi!

    I have a present HSBC Cc which I'm having problems in settling the amoount since it's getting bigger and bigger. I'd like to ask if it's a good idea to default payment right now and have it settled in the future when my financial resources would allow me?

    I observed that almost 95 percent of what I pay goes to the interest and only a very small portion of what I pay goes to the principal. Because of this, I fear that I will be indebted in my CC for the rest of my life.

    I stop using my CC right now. I'm thinking of stop paying it. Will this be a good idea?

    ReplyDelete
  63. Hi Anonymous,

    'Stopped using' is a good idea.
    Stop paying is like crossing a river with 10 people and you know there's a crocodile in it. Do at your own risk.

    Some credit cards offer balance transfer promos where you get to pay significantly lower interest rates. Maybe you can better afford that.

    Strategize towards getting rid of that debt fast. But make your move while you're still considered a good payer.

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  64. hi argus,

    the problem is that HSBC is the only credit card that i have right now and it's impossible for me avail of the balance transfer.

    i already had my standard chartered bank defaulted a few years ago. will there be anyv difference in case i will default in paying my HSBC card?

    ReplyDelete
  65. Hi AG.,

    I just like to ask pwede ka bang sabihan ng collector agent na Ipapa notice to the public ka nila sa philippine star. kapag di ka nag bayad..it seems kasi na di naman nababawasan ang utang ko..Can they do that? pwede ka bang makulong if ever you dont pay them, or is there certain amount limit for you to go to jail? Eh kung wala ka naman mapakain sa kids mo uunahin ko pa ba sila?
    im not trying to get rid of them but..and Yung paniningil nila before it is just 20k now the law office is asking for 78k how can i pay for that..??

    ReplyDelete
  66. Hi,

    1. pwede ka bang sabihan ng collector agent na Ipapa notice to the public ka nila sa philippine star. kapag di ka nag bayad?

    Answer: Credit card companies won't allow collection agencies acting in behalf of them to publish notices of delinquent credit card holders since this would be publicly bad for their card's image. Also, even if it became a practice, newspapers would end up being as thick as the white and yellow pages of the phone book.

    2. pwede ka bang makulong if ever you dont pay them,

    Answer: No.

    3. is there certain amount limit for you to go to jail?

    Answer: None.

    4. Eh kung wala ka naman mapakain sa kids mo uunahin ko pa ba sila?

    Answer: I won't.

    5. Yung paniningil nila before it is just 20k now the law office is asking for 78k how can i pay for that..??

    Answer: Don't. Get a good deal.

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  67. AG
    gurl on debt

    hi i have 3 credit cards one is in union bank and the 2 on eastwest bank what bothered me most is my eastwestbank with a credit limit of 90,000 and its baloon to 365 k. i was jobless before and i consume the credit limit for my sons milk and hospitalitazion.it was issued to me 2009 and collecting agencies kept on calling me and threatening me to arrest me because they file a case to me a criminal case and 3 counts of estafa? how come that my case is an estafa? i never issue a bouncing check... at first i communicate with them i try to pay 1k but now i cant coz my salary now fits only our daily needs. please help me...i can pay with installment but they demanding me to pay it in full. after the call i change my cp number because i was afraid of them threatening me to arrest me wihin 48 hrs.


    thank you please help me...
    would i go to jail for not paying my debt.?

    is that true that i have an estafa case?
    they also give me a Case number without receiving any letter informing me that i have a case..

    ReplyDelete
  68. good day, share ko lang... may nagpunta dito sa bahay na collector and may kasama pang barangay tanod there looking for my ate, nakakainis lang kasi sa kapit bahay pa talaga nagtatanong and then lumabas ako tpos sabi sa akin if kung dito pa nakatira yung sister ko. ang sabi ko OO and kung anu-ano na sinabi na kasama niya yung baragay at naka blotter na daw ang sister ko.. sa asar ko, inaway ko na din, hiningian ko ng mga i.d's ayaw magbigay. nakaka loko sila, ang hindi nila alam na barangay catain ang dad ko, kaya sila ang pina-hiya ko.. and then pinapunta ko yung mga tanod ng dad ko, at sila ang nireklamo ko at kinasuhan yun nagpapanggap na tanod. ayun... umamin na kinontrata lang pala siya collection agency na yun... nga pala nag iwan din pala ng number at ipina-abot sa kapit bahay namin, tawagan daw siya si FISCAL RYAN LIM na alam ko na bogus kse yung mga kaso hindi alam pauso ng kaso. R.A 315 daw? anu yun? eh sa mga farmers related yung case number na yun... tsk tsk tsk!!! kakaiba yun, wag ka lang mag papakita sa amin FISCAL RYAN LIM, masyado ka ng sikat.. INGAT INGAT ka lang...

    ReplyDelete
  69. Hi Anonymous,

    That was great!
    Wish we could have been there to see his face drop. That would have been priceless.
    And to think that a fiscal or even a staff in his office now has the time to personally go around and look for credit card users.
    If he's bogus, they would have both been liable for usurpation of authority.

    Big Cheers!

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  70. hi,
    i am suffering from heartless collectors right now..hinde ka mkatulog..they will let u pay 70k,5ok...the nxt day!how i can i pay that?
    the worst thing is,my savings was auto=debited to pay for my cc bill,yet i cant remember i signed some papers permitting the bank to do that.i was really confused.one thing i am sure,is they let me fill up the info in the credit card application form and signed it.the bank didnt niformed me that gone is my saving acct.a call will do.

    ReplyDelete
  71. hello po! i need advise regarding my debt on my citibank cc. it has come to a point that they turn over my account to a law firm. i dont want my parents to worry about me na makulong. di ko na po talaga kayang bayaran yung citibank cc ko, as much as i tried to. last october po nagbayad ako sa kanila and i told them i dont know how i will be able to pay the remaining balance because i dont have a job. and now they are threatening to sue me civilly or criminally under RA 8484. ano po bang pwede ko sabihin sa knila?

    ReplyDelete
  72. Thank God! I was able to read your emails and reply regarding cc problem coz like all of you guys, I'm in this kind of trouble too, I got sick of anxiety disorder, afraid that any time or any moment a police will drop by and arrest me. My parents was also worried about me and the worst thing that got into my mind was suicide but Thank God, Jehova was really powerful He cleared my mind of doing this thing. To the collecting agents, just be nice and don't be mean, we will pay in due time, God willing, we will pay.

    ReplyDelete
  73. hi! first of, i super love ur blog! esp topics about debts, xmpre, im in the same situation.. but to my relief, gumaan tlga pkiramdam q after q mbsa mga posts and reply mo AG.. :)

    so, here's the issue.. i have bank loan sa hsbc, unfortunately, i got laid-off from my job and nde q na naituloy un monthly payments. though consistent nmn aq mgbyad before aq mwalan ng trabaho, kya lng, collectors started calling me and testing me na my criminal case na nga dw aq.. although gumaan tlga pkrmdam q sa mga nbsa q dito, just wanna make sure na hndi nmn aq mkukulong if nde aq mkpsettle agad agad dba??

    hoping for ur response AG! :)

    - Ms.HindiNaNagwoworry

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ms.HindiNaNagwoworry,

      Yes, that's right.
      Plus, we live in great times. Lots of great jobs out there.
      But your alias says it all.

      Aja aja!

      :D

      AG

      Delete
  74. nakkastress nga po . kasi pati sa province(pampanga) nakarating ang mga collector pinadaan pa nila ang sulat sa brgy.captain.. almost 8yrs na akong wala doon at parents ko nalang ang andun.. sana man lang wag ng umabot na guluhin pa nila ang parents ko .. .. nag aantay lang nmn ako ng magandang deal para makapagbayad sa knila.. kaya lang sobrang makasingil sila. 41k sinsingil pero 10k lang ang limit ko. dati po kasi tumwag ako sa customer service ng eastwest bank ni transfer ako sa collection dept, ng explain ako na gusto ko ng ipa cut ang cc ko tapos i mmonthly ko nalang yung 8k something nagamit ko.. ang sagot sa akin " aba edi magbayad ko ng buo.. sabay bagsak ng fone ,.. sbi ko ako na nga ang willing magbayad kahit installement lang ayaw pa nila,.. dahil ba wala silang kita ?? napakaganid nila .. sobrang ka stress lang talga po :(

    ReplyDelete
  75. may question lang din ako na parang wala pang nagtatanong tungkol dito: may outstanding balance ako sa cc pero medyo mahirap ang pagbayad sa ngayon, lalo at puro minimum amount lang lahat ang nasisettle ko- at sa tingin ko pag hindi ko nabayaran agad ay lolobo pa lalo ang babayaran ko in the future, since di pa naman totally ubos yung laman ng card pwede ko bang ipa-CUT OFF na lang yung card at makipagneqotiate ng amnesty- na babayaran ko yung balances na equally divided in 6, 12 or 24 months or kung anuman ang available na negotiation na maaari nilang ioffer. Meron bang ganung scheme sa credit card na pwede kang magrequest ng cancellation ng card halimbawa kung ayaw mo ng gamitin. salamat!

    ReplyDelete
  76. may maximum penalty charge po b? I mean for example 100k unpaid credit card bill m, mag-aaccumulate b un monthly ng said penalty charge? parang after ilang yrs lang sobrang laki n ng need m isettle?
    alias: May

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. as far i know, yes. mag-aaccumulate talaga yan, plus yung iba pang mga penalties na pinapatong nila.

      Delete
  77. try reading this: http://www.bsp.gov.ph/downloads/primers/CCS7.pdf

    ReplyDelete
  78. hi pano po ba gagawin ko. I have an existing card with HSBC and 2 months na akong hindi nakakapagbayad. Tinatawag tawag na rin po nila ako to follow up my payments. Nagkapatong patong po kasi ang mga bayarin ko at wala na po matira sa sahod ko sa ngaun para ipambayad sa kanila. I told them na willing naman po ako magbayad kaya lang baka pwde installment na lang and halimbawa babayaran ko po sa loob ng 2 years. may payment arrangement daw po sila na ganon kaya lang they want me to pay my current due of 6000+ first before daw nila ako iendorse dun sa ganong payment arrangement. eh ang problem po sa ngaun super zero balance talaga ko. if i let them cancelled my card darating din po kaya yung time na iooffer nila sa aking ung payment arrangement na sinasabi nila kahit di ko bayaran ung minimum amount due>?

    ReplyDelete
  79. ganyan ang nangyari sa akin , just yesterday, may pulis na naghanap daw sa akin, hindi ako nakita sa bahay. ang worst nagpubta sa work place ko. nung tinatanong k yung pulis kung bakit, hndi daw nya alam bsta may nagtxt daw at pinapahanap ako. ang mali ko hndi ko nakuha name nila ang plate number. tpos may iniwan clang number with a name fiscal lee of q.c. daw ako naman tumawag then hndi nila alam kung ano case ko pero ang sinasabi ng pulis akosado daw ako, tpos may binigay ulit na no. of atty. francis daw. sbi nya kinasuhan ako ng president ng bankard, tpos nung cnabi ko na sbi nung fiscal lee na pweeng off the court eh biglang sbi nya na cge magbayad daw ako. sana mas maaga ko nabasa ang blog na to para hndi ko na tinawagan. nung 2010 pa yung balance ko sa cc. pro grabeng kahihiyan ang naabot ko sa mga kapitbahay dahil dun sa pagpunta ng pulis. keso klangan ko na daw ng abogado, may warrant of arrest daw ako. sana nakuha ko number nila at name nung mga pulis. tpos ung atty may binanggit na r.a.315 eh tungkol naman sa budget un ng armed forces. grabe cla

    ReplyDelete
  80. ask ko lang po if ever you have advise for my concern regarding a bounced check. this is the story, i had a renewal of loan with citisavings last 2011, which is payable in 4 years. during those time, i can religiously pay the monthly amort. pero last october 2012, ngkaron ng retrenchment s work ko, and i was one unlucky to be retrenched. in other words, gang april to may of this year, ngarag nko makabayad s knila until this june, nag-bounce n ung cheke ko. i called them at their given # pra mkiusap s knila n i-recompute ung balance ko pra mabayaran ko p rin cla, but according to them, ala clang program for that. they insisted that i find someone to be my co-maker pra m-recompute ang balance ko pra m-stretch ang payment. kya lng, no one will allow that n maging co-maker ko, ngaun ala po akong work. i seek help from them pra mabayaran ko p rin cla but they are heartless. i understand its a business, pero sna meron din consideration. please help me through this. your reply will be much appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,

      If you're concerned about estafa just because your check bounced, then don't be because estafa means more than that.
      Estafa involves the element of deceit. Meaning, when you issued the check, you knew that you will never have the funds to cover the amount on the check. So it is important that you inform them and your bank to cancel any check you have issued that you cannot fund before they try to cash it.
      If CitiSavings say they don't have any program for delinquent loan accounts like yours then maybe they just pass it on to collection agencies after a period of time.

      Hope you find a job soon.

      AG

      Delete
    2. thank you very much for your kind reply.. sir, just for clarification: the check given to CitiSavings bounced and my checking account was closed.. do i still have to inform my back to cancel or stop payment?

      Delete
    3. Hi,

      No, but to be safe, if any of your checks from that checking account are still out there waiting to be cashed by somebody, better inform that person or entity.

      AG

      Delete
    4. .. thank you very much for the enlightenment.. may the good Lord bless you for your kindness because you have a helping heart..

      Delete
    5. .. good afternoon sir.. another question came up.. what case can CitiSavings charge me with the returned check due to my closed checking account? ..despite of communicating with them that i am still willing to pay the remaining principal loan..

      Delete
    6. Hi,

      If they do file a case, which I doubt, it would just be a civil case. Nothing you can't handle. There's not gonna be jail time or arrest warrants or anything worse that you're imagining.

      AG

      Delete
  81. hi just want to ask if they can get any of my properties if i left the unpaid bills? the collector keeps calling me and threatening about they will get anything that can be make as a collateral

    i really need your help thanks..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Daisy,

      If you're talking about unpaid credit card bills then the answer is no.
      If they can do that, why bother to call you? Why don't they just surprise you and go to your place of work and get your iPhone from you.
      It's just something they enjoy saying.

      AG

      Delete
  82. nagtry po akong tawagan yung no. na binigay ng pulis na nagpunta sa workplace ko, tinanong ko cla kung saan office po ito. ang gusto nila sbhin ko muna yung purpose ng pagtawag ko at anong pangalan ko. eh sbi ko naman kyo ang nagpapatawag sa akin kya dapat sbhin nyo muna kung anong office ito pero ayaw tlga nilang sbhin, ang ipinagtataka ko, eh sbi nung police fiscal lee daw ung hahanapin ko dito. if its really a fiscal's office, bkit hndi nila masabi ng direkta. pwede ko bang clang ireklamo for unfair collection practices? what about dun sa police na nagpunta sa bahay namin at cnabi sa mga kapitbahay namin na klangan ko na daw kumuha ng abogado at may arrest warrant na ako. what action ang pwede ko gawin sa kanila?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,

      Yes you can file a complaint against unfair collection practices.
      With regards to the policemen, you can file a Citizen's Complaint. See Rule 3 from this link. You'll see where you can file the complaint.

      AG

      Delete
    2. I already emailed the BSP regarding this pero wala p naman cla reply.
      about the police hindi ko kc nakuha yung name, pero at least pag umulit cla mas alam ko na yung gagawin ko.

      Delete
  83. hi po.. ask kolang paano po kaya yung wala ka namang utang sa credit card mo pero hindi mo na i-close yung account mo?

    may tumatawag po kasi sa akin sa enzi corp daw po at dapat ko raw bayaran ang utang ko. wala naman po akong utang. ang problema kolang hindi ko na close kasi hindi ko naman alam na kailangan palang i-close ang account kahit hindi muna nagagamit.

    ano po ang gagawin ko... hinaharass po ako ng enzi corp.

    salamat po...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,

      If I were you, I'd just tell them what you're telling me. They will eventually give up. Just don't entertain them by paying since as you said, you don't really owe them anything.

      AG

      Delete
    2. thanks a lot for the reply... God bless...

      Delete
  84. I just read this blog and it makes me relief...
    & I just want to share this one what I've read with the same problem regarding credit cards...Sana nakatulong ako sa mga problema nyo..

    http://money.wikinut.com/The-Lies-I-Heard-From-My-Credit-Card-Debt-Collectors-in-the-Philippines/.p7bd9c5/


    ReplyDelete
  85. hi sir, makikisali lang ako hehe may utang din ako sa CC amounting to 19k na.. yung collection agent na tumatawag sakin, kinukulit pa rin ako na magbayad.. paulit ulit din naman yung sagot ko na wala pa akong pambayad kahit minimum amount due. yosi nga hirap pa ako haha nawalan kasi ako ng work for some personal reasons, sabi ko di ko naman sila tatakbuhan kasi sinasagot ko pa rin mga calls nila. ang iniisip ko, paano kaya kung di ko naman mabayaran dun sa date na binigay nila. like now, ang hatol sakin is until monday, july 28. e pano kung di ako mabayad? anong mangyayari? plus lumipat pala kame ng house last march. need ko pa ba yun inform sa kanila? salamat po :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Freaking Jeffu,

      They'll just set another date if you did not pay at the said 'deadline'.
      Not that necessary to inform them.

      AG

      Delete
  86. Hey AG, hope your not getting tired providing people like me knowledge on how can handle such cases. Btw I want an advice regarding my situation. I was issued 2 cards last 2007 or 2008 (HSBC & Metrobank). Suddenly got an offer to work abroad so i grabbed it. I know I have responsibility to settle my debts eventhough I'm out of the country. Maliban sa pinapadala kong monthly allowance ng former live-in partner ko, eh nagpapasobra ako ng pambayad sa mga naiwan ko kautang sa cc at yun ang bilin ko sa kanya bago ako umalis. Ung inaakala ko na pambayad sa cc eh ginagastos din pala nya sa layaw nya. Nagulat na lang ako ng malaman ko sa mother ko na nakakatanggap sila ng demand letter galing sa bangko. That's how I found out na wala pala syang isenesettle mga bayarin kong naiwan. Nakabalik na ako d2 sa atin last year. May naka-usap akong collection agent pero as much I want to settle lahat wala akong kakayanan sa ngaun dahil mag-isa kong binubuhay ang anak ko. More or less a year na akong di nakakatanggap ng call or letters tungkol dun, pero a week ago nagkareceive ako ng SOA galing mismo sa bangko. Di ko kayang bayaran ng buo kasi lumaki na dahil sa interest. Pwede ko bang bayaran monthly direct sa bank ung amount na kaya ko??? Mag-eearn paba yun ng interest kapag naumpisahan ko ng bayaran??? Salamat ng marami in advance.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,

      Of course you may talk to the bank of your request.
      Yes, it will still earn interest but it will all depend on how the bank deals with situations like yours.
      Ask your bank.
      Otherwise, wait for your account to be passed on to collection agencies and get on the roller-coaster ride all these folks are having.

      Either way, everything's gonna be fine.

      AG

      Delete
  87. hi AG, i have 5 cc na di ko na po talaga kayang bayaran, ung amount nya po nasa 100 to 200k each card ang naging prob ko po kasi puro interest nalang binabayad ko which is ung minimum payment nila, di na po ako natapos kakabayad lalo pa po lumaki nung utang ko. isa isa ko po na card my balance convertion po ako this aug po ung start kaso tumawag ako sa bank and asked po na kung pwede i freeze nalang ung account ko then magbabayad ako ng kaya ko lang pero wala daw offer na ganon sa bank nila kasi nakapagrequest nako ng balance convertion 159+50k=209k na ung naging utang ko sa kanila di ko na po kasi kaya pang bayaran nagkaron talaga ako ng financial prob nagkautang utang ako para lang mabayaran kahit ung interest lang kaso ngayon wala na talaga akong mailalabas kaya di nako nakapag bayad, makukulong po kaya ako? natatakot po ako kasi sa laki na ng utang ko, nakiusap nako sa mga bank pero ayaw nila pumayag na itigil ung interest at hulugan ko lang ng sa kaya ko. kaylangan ko po ba hintayin na iforward nila sa mga makukulit na CA? pls advice sobrang stress na po ako talaga

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi happy lopez,

      No, you will not go to jail.
      Let them worry about your account.
      No need to stress too much about it.

      AG

      Delete
  88. Sir Argus, thank you so much for writing this blog. This has been a really big help for people who find themselves in financial trouble due to unforeseen circumstances like us.

    Bedridden po ang mother namin higit isang taon na matapos syang ma-stroke. Ever since, bulk of my income goes to her needs (private nurse fees since she has food intake via NGT, diapers, Glucerna since she's turned diabetic, insulin, etc.). Our father died from cancer years back (that was when we fully utilized our CCs to get him in and out of the hospital, buy his medications and pay for his caregivers for 6 months before his demise). Retired na mga kapatid ko at majority ng retirement nila napunta sa mga medical needs ng nanay namin. Dalawa na lang kami na nanatiling may trabaho at ako po ang medyo nakakaangat pagdating sa income.

    Lahat kami ng mga kapatid ko ay nagkukulang sa pagbabayad ng credit card dues namin. Ako kahit papano, nagbabayad pero may mga instances na kelangan ko i-prioritize ang ibang gastusin kaya di na naging regular at lately less than minimum amount ang kaya ko lang bayaran. Sa ngayon, priorities ko po ay needs ni nanay, family needs, utilities, isang loan ng retired na kapatid ko na may inissue syang PDC at yung loan ko sa isang bangko na syang bukod-tanging nag-extend sa kin ng malaking loan nung nangangailangan kami na mahaba ang terms (4 years). The rest, nagbabayad lang ako pag yung mga panahon na medyo may extra.

    Ayoko na pong makipag-usap sa kanila (bank o agents). Nadala na po kasi ako sa experience nung kapatid ko na para syang hinoldap nung pumuntang messenger sa bahay at pilit pinag-issue ng PDC para makabayad nung isang card nya. Pag magpa-amnesty naman, kelangan pa raw mag-down ng malaking halaga.

    Swerte ko na rin po na hindi ako sa bangko nagtatrabaho. Mga kapatid ko kasi ay sa bangko nagtrabaho. Early retirement sila pero dahil sa credit standing, kahit maghanap pa sya ng work base sa experience nya, hirap na sya makakuha (sa tingin namin baka dahil blacklisted na sya).

    Ang tanong ko po ay, may ibang options pa po ba kami na pwedeng i-explore para makapag-settle ng aming pagkakautang? Marami pong salamat!

    Thanks and regards,

    Ms. Still-Trying-to-be-Positive

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ms. Still-Trying-to-be-Positive

      I think you're already doing enough with all that you have going on in your life. Your priorities are in the correct order.
      Try to keep it that way no matter how credit card problems (agents/banks) tell you that they should be top priority.
      It is actually their problem, not yours.

      AG

      Delete
  89. Hello. I also have the same problem. I actually have two CCs. In June 2011 nanganak ako nang 3rd baby ko but was still working. Nabinat ako and had post natal depression and unstable emotions. Yung 2nd baby ko naman labas pasok sa ospital dahil sa pneumonia. In November of that year i resigned from work and decided to stay at home. Dahil na rin ho sa hindi magandang location nang aming apartment, sobang init and maalikabok kasi nasa gilid nang daan,anbd given na wala akong trabaho i decided to go home na lamang po sa place nang in laws ko. My hubby is working din po but we have other accummulated debts din because of his trainings and all. With three kids being bottle-fed, a high school student, 2 nannies and other amortizations, i was not able to consider the problem about my c. I still am in good standing with the other cc. Early this year, i decided to go back to work on the same place of work but in a different unit. Admittingly, i was not able to inform the bank na magriresign ako. When i went back to work, natawagan po nila ako...i gave them my new cellphone number and again negotiated. When i resigned, i told the collecting agency my situation and was even asking for an arrangement na masiguro na makakabyad ako. Pero ayaw nila, they want me to sign blank checks or provide a comaker. Dito ako naghang na level. Hanggang nakabalik na nga ako sa work. As i said, i negotiated to allow me to pay my 40k debt say 1k/month to 2k/month until exhausted. pero the first polite collector hanged up with me unable to finish what i was saying. The 2nd collector told me to call back and they did but was not able to answer it dahil nga i was so busy with the many projects i had last week lang.

    Today, i received a letter telling me i could be imprisoned for abandoning and surreptitiously leaving my place of work and without informing the bank. it is a prima facie daw for fraud.

    My question is, will i really go to jail for not informing the bank na nagresign ako sa trabaho? I did not abandon naman po my place of work because i resigned.

    Second po, i did not apply for the cc, it was them who called me and told me they will be giving me a credit card and the address there was my place of work. Ngayon, natanggap ko nga ang letter dated July 1 demanding a payment of more that 60k for cash and 77k for gradual payment arrangement. The last phone call we have was july 23 because they were contacting me still.New unit po ako but of the same company. Pero yung ground nga nila is RA 8484 section 14.

    I am very willing to pay naman po..all i was asking is for them to give me an option na hindi naman po ako sobrang mahirapang magbayad dahil for now hindi ko kayang bayaran ang said amount..

    Please englighten me...Salamat

    Troubled Mom of 4

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Troubled Mom of 4,

      You will not go to jail for any reason that they tell you.
      It's more important that you enjoy the company of your 4 kids especially while they're still young and fun.
      Be like them. Live in the present moment.
      You seem to be too busy and worried to do that.

      AG

      Delete
  90. hi Argus, ask lng for advice kung anu mgandang payment terms. hnd nrin kc aq nkkreceive ng SOA q and no calls from collector pero syempre ngaalala dn kc bka gulatin nlng aq na malaki n ung utang q. 20k kc credit line q. kanino nga pla un babayran, s bank prin b o s collector n?? thanks s reply..

    --rraine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi rraine,

      Just go to the bank and pay from your last statement. Then you'll know the status of your account.

      AG

      Delete
  91. good day argus,,, ask ko lng po i have cc pero supplementary lng po ako ung sister ko po ang primary holder,, but all of the transactions was under my card hindi n po kse ginagamit ng ate ko ung card niya.. then now my credit reaches to 100k.. my last payment was june 2013 hindi ko n po mabayadan after that.. my sister worked abroad wla p po sha alam s mga utang ko.. sa tingin niyo po ba pwede ko i ignore mga demand letter and collecting agents in the future since nasa saudi nman po ung primary holder?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,

      If I were you, I'd worry more about my sister not knowing.
      You may ignore the letters and calls from the agencies, but if they get to your sister before you do...

      AG

      Delete
  92. Mhine08: Hi Need Help lang po sana. I have CC po Eastwest ang nangyari po kasi pinagamit ko yung Cheque na 10,000.00 at ng ride yung kaibaigan ko dati na ka officemate ko dahil may problema sa anak nya naawa ako kaya pinautang ko. Ngayon yung taong yun tinakbuhan ako at hindi na ko binayaran. Willing naman ako mag bayad kaso yung bangko ayaw akong tulungan sa kung paano ko sya mababayaran. ng suggest ako na kung pwede iwaive nalang yung interest at penalty at babayaran ko nalang yung pinaka principal pero ayaw padin nila pumayag. mag loan kasi ako sa company ko para ma settle yung utang ko. kaso ayaw nila pumayag sa request ko. anong dapat kong gawin wag nalang ba bayaran kasi ayaw namn nila ako tulungan masyadong malaki na kasi yung total nasa 29K na. please advise naman po thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mhine08,

      Let them process it on their own.
      Of course you'll get letters and calls later on. By then, just wait for terms you can live with.

      AG

      Delete
  93. Hi Argus,

    I just need an advice, may CC ako na hindi ko inaplayan pinadalhan lang ako at yung na tempted ako na gamitin ito at yun nagutang ako sa BPI Petron Credit Card, ang huling gamit ko May 2011 nasa 28k lang, nabayaran ko cya pero di na natuloy tuloy until this year may from Cases Corpus & Associates Law Offices yung nakabayad ako ng 5k pero isang basis lag kasi nagkaproblema ako financially.. then Just last month July may biglang tumawag sa Office na naman na search talaga nila ang company Tel# namin. Kulit masyado kaya nakipag nego ako 3k month. ang Principal na 38k naging 105k nong nagbayad ako ng 5k, ngayon nagbayad ako ng 3k naging 86k na... payable in 24 months ang binigay niya... ganyan ba talaga kataas yung amnesty na sinasabi nila di ba yung principal amount lang ang bayaran hulog hulugan, at ngayon may naemail sila na permahan ko daw. Nagdadalawang isip alang ako sa mga condition masayadong mabigat at di ata favorable, pwde kayang bagohin yun."I/We further agree and bind myself/ourselves that failure on my/our part to pay the Bank (i) the Down Payment, or (ii) any one (1) month installment on the relevant due dates stated above shall subject the entire unpaid amount to the applicable interest and penalties stipulated in the Terms and Conditions governing the issuance and use of the BPI Credit Card and render my/our credit card loan obligations with the Bank immediately due and demandable without need of further notice or demand which I/we hereby expressly waived.

    It is understood and agreed that the Bank’s acceptance of any payment from me/us after the relevant due date(s) shall not be considered as an extension of the time to pay nor a modification of any of the conditions set forth herein."

    kailangan daw permahan pero nagdadalawang isip ako dahil sa letter of agreement na ito...pwde pa kayang ipababa yung amount, may chance pa kaya na magdirect contact ako sa banko mismo...any any advice po are acceptable para lang ma mabawasan ang stress... kakayanin ko ang payment di lang sana yung kailangan sa date na yung kasi sa pagkakaintindi ko kung di ka makabayad agad masira na ang agreeemtn at back to basic naman, paano kung mashort ako sa financial aspect... pa help naman po

    Neil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Neil,

      You don't need to sign.
      You don't have to sign.

      You can wait for better terms.

      No worries.

      AG

      Delete
    2. Hi argus,

      Thank you, Im just worried na baka yun pa ang magpadiin sa akin sa kung ano mang complication na mapasukan ko.

      Pero paano yan yung Letter-Agreement na naemail nila na dapat permahan ko at ipadala sa kanila, yun daw ang basis para ma stop na ang interest at magstick nalang sa discounted amount payable in 2 years. Kung wala daw yun magbayad ako ng magbayad kung magkanon pero magkainterest parin daw...

      Neil

      Delete
    3. Hi Neil,

      That option for zero interest is always available. That's not a now or never deal that's never gonna happen again.
      Your bigger problem is if you're able to sustain paying the monthly amount in the agreement.
      Only go into an agreement you feel really confident in. Otherwise, what's the point?
      Not paying is not a problem. The real problem is getting into agreements which you cannot fulfill.

      AG.

      Delete
  94. Hello po.. I need advise on my case, I had credit card from HSBC way back 2001. I was not able to pay for it due to financial problem. I received several notice over the past years from a different collection agency but i intend to ignore it due to incapacity to pay. Just few days ago i received another notice from a new collection agency, stating that my outstanding balance is already 2Million plus, but they offer me to pay only 16K as discounted balance. now my question is: Possible po ba na my acct can be pass on to a diff collection agency? I'm actually willing to pay the discounted balance, but just yesterday they sent me a txt informing me that they already bring to court for judicial action for failure, neglect and refusal without valid grounds..Ano po ba ibig sabihin ng text? they will file a case against me? shall i wait for the court notice?

    Many thanks in advance po...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,

      2001 heh? Why can't you just forget about it?
      Anyway, yes, they can pass it on to a different collection agency.
      The text means nothing. They're just trying to scare you. (Which turns us off from paying.)
      Put that letter with the 2 million balance on a frame and tell your grandkids about it someday.
      Put your 16k into a time deposit and wait for them to stop with the scare tactics first or better yet, just keep your 16k for 12 years too and maybe it would grow to ... 20k! :)

      AG

      Delete
    2. Thanks for the quick response AG. yep it was 2001. I totally forgot about it, until someone from a new collection agency went over to my place to deliver the Notice. and they also call me at home informing my mom that if i won't contact them, they will coordinate my case with the Barangay officials where i live. With this threat( ofcourse it scares me to be called in the barangay)and it will also bring shame to my family. With this new threat, is this against the law? or do they have the right to do this?

      Thank you. It's such a relief reading your advise.

      Ms. JP

      Delete
    3. Hi Ms. JP,

      You can go to your Barangay officials and coordinate with them that somebody is harassing you about debt from 2001. (You're probably not the first.)
      Tell them to contact you personally in case somebody does want to meet with you in the barangay to avoid them having to go to your house and making your mom feel nervous.
      Anyway, this should bring them up to speed about your case and not be too gullible of the collection agency's schemes.
      You should also tell your mom that you're handling it and that whatever threat she hears from agents are all lies - (which they are).

      AG

      Delete
  95. Many,many thanks AG and More Power to you!!! Ms. JP

    ReplyDelete
  96. I have credit card debt in metrobank card total sum of 196,000php. I called them today if thy can take off the interest hindi daw pwede.. ang offer lang nila sa aking balance conversion program for 24 months na monthly payment is Php11,000+. I told them hindi ko kaya ganun kalaki na amount montly.. ang kaya ko lang hangang 5,000 a month. I have financial problem lately and jobless pa ako. sabi ko willing ko bayaran amount na P5,000 montly lang.. hindi sila pumayag yung lang daw term nila na 11,000+ a monthly (including interest) ang maiooffer nila sa akin. May iba pa po bang way na pumayag sila sa payment scheme ko? willing naman ako magbayad kaso 5,000 montly lang talaga ngayon ang kaya ko ibayad. pwede ba ako mag padala ng debt settlement proposal letter sa kanila na may pirma ng abogado? I don't want to run away my obligation with them dahil nagamit ko naman talaga yung credit card na yun na umabot ng 196,000PHP ang kaya ko lang talaga bayaran monthly P5,000.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi EVE,

      For now, just set aside your P5,000.00 monthly and wait till you're offered amnesty or a more affordable payment scheme.

      AG

      Delete
  97. Mabuti na lang at nakita ko itong site mo. :) Medyo nakahinga ako ng maluwag at ng ibang readers pa dito.

    May HSBC CC din ako na di ko na nabayaran dahil tumulong din ako sa gastusin ko nung kinasal ako nitong April and nanganak ako nung June. Ngayon, me tumatawag dito sa office and ayaw magbigay ng name or company name. Suspetsa ko, ito ung "law firm" na sinasabi ng HSBC sa billing nila sa akin. Kailangan ba akong mag-worry kasi base sa mga nabsa ko dito na me pumupunta sa bahay na kolektor, barangay officials at pulis para maningil?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,

      Those are collector's gimmicks.
      No you don't have to worry about it.
      But your family members probably would so tell them beforehand that it's ok.

      AG

      Delete
    2. AG,

      Wow! Ang bilis ng reply mo sa inquiry ko. :) Salamat sa advice.

      One last question, should I pay for the balance since honestly speaking, di ko na talaga siya mabayaran lalo na at napupunta ang salary ko sa needs ng baby ko?

      Delete
    3. Hi! Ako ulit. Received a call from their collection department today to pay half the credit that I own them. Tinanong nila kung ano yung reason and sinabi ko nga na nanganak ako nung June kaya di na ko nakapag bayad. Ang sabi ba naman ng kausap ko Mam, di ba me nakuha kayo sa SSS na maternity benefit? Sa sobrang inis ko, napasagot ako na Kayo ba dapat unahin ko bago ang needs ng baby ko?! In fairness, mas maayos kausap itong tumawag sa akin kesa dun sa ATTY. daw. na kesyo blah blah blah....

      Gustuhin ko man bayaran yung 20k na LANG daw to freeze my account at para matapos na ito, 20k is a very big amount and ang dami ko ng ma pro-provide sa baby ko with the 20k, di ba? At ayoko umutang para bayaran pa ang 1 utang. tama ba ako, sir AG? na stress ako. - New Mom

      Delete
  98. Hi Sir Argus,

    I feel so enlightened of what i read here in your blog. So informative and really at ease to think the ghost story about CC's. I am so thankful of your great help especially like us who had been drowned to our debts and still struggling how to cope the lapses. Please..please continue to HELP us. By the way call me Ms.J

    Here's my story about my CC's. I have HSBC(two cards-which is the 2 cards was balance transfer to my CTBANK), RCBC, BDO(used by my sister thru net transactions), CTBANK, METROBANK and I think I have my CC's since 2006 and some 2008,2009. All this cards I don't use it anymore, I even asked the BANKS Is it possible to cut the amount that I have used even not totally use the whole credit limit BUT all of their answers are in uniform NO, it cannot be unless you will pay the whole amount w/ is I cannot pay it in my own capacity. And the worse about it even you don't use your cards you even don't know what makes it BIG as in HUGE of charges, penalties..and some of the statements of my CC's as I reviewed It has some additional charges that was add to my payable which is I don't remember I agreed of it. Some insurance things, or loans and when I call them and said they're going to correct it as BANK admittedly it was their mistakes. Still sad to say why is it look like adding and folded many times the amount they said I owe them. At first all of this cards I have very good standing, I am up to date to pay them even the minimum payment I tried to pay it on date or before due date just to make sure I have good records to them.

    Until such time I am in trouble financially. And I cannot pay all of my CC's and scared you to death the HUGE amount they want you to pay.

    I have payed the 2 HSBC cards in 18months or 12mnths I coundn't remember but as I kept with me my copy but due to some problem financially I wasn't able to pay the said agreement we had of the bank even I almost near to pay the whole amount until They send me demand letters thru collection agencies. I even pay one of the collection agency last Feb or March who had ask me to pay of this date as discounted of the whole amount. I asked them the receipt as my proof of payment until now the collection agency under the name of this atty.can't contact the # anymore.

    Luckily I never experience yet the threat of going to barangay, police..etc.. I only received from different collection agencies letters and calls, texts. Right now, Honestly so draining, frustrated that I cannot buy any thing for me, to my family, No savings- as in NOTHING because of all the borrows just to pay all my CC's. I am still coping and in FEAR to be in jail.As I read here in your blog at least I know what to answer all of this collection agencies calling me.

    But I have question Sir. How I can ask the Bank that this is I can afford to pay since my work now is unstable and possible I'll look for another job or what if I cannot find immediately a job? How I can convince them as they all wanted me to pay me the said amount? Please help me, Sir.

    I hope I'll hear you soon. Please.please HELP

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,

      Since you got multiple cards, maybe you can focus on paying one card at a time.
      Start with the one with the smallest balance.
      Ignore the rest, since you can't afford it right now, plus you won't get anywhere just paying the minimum due for each.
      Just don't get talked into any agreement on paying the others as it's unrealistic for you right now.
      Take care of the other cards when you're ready.
      It's ok. No jail time here in PH.

      Focus.

      AG

      Delete
  99. Hi Sir Argus,

    Yung sister ko po had Citibank before, hindi po ako aware na may existing utang siya. Nalaman ko lang po nung nasabi ko sa kanya na nag-apply ako sa Citibank & nakakareceive na siya ng demand letter. Pero ngayon wala na raw tumatawag sa kanya. Maapektuhan po ba nito yung application ko?

    ReplyDelete
  100. Good day Sir AG,

    I would like to ask something, here is the scenario, I have a loan in citibank financial and I issued metrobank checks(my bank) to them for the monthly installment, time is getting nearer that i can no longer pay citibank and all my checks will soon bounce since my business shut down, now I also have a car loan on my own bank (metrobank) which I am still paying in a year time, if all my check in citibank bounces, is there a possibility that citibank or any other collecting agencies freeze my account and hold the documents of my car (I will continue to finish the car loan) since the papers are still with metrobank.

    Hope to hear from you soon, thanks you very much.

    Regards
    Mr. InTrouble

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mr. InTrouble,

      No. It would require a court order to freeze a bank account or seize property.
      So either there's already judgement on a case filed against you or there are indications you are about to do a Mr. Napoles.
      Metrobank can close your checking account though.

      AG

      Delete
  101. thank you sir for the reply.

    Mr. InTrouble

    ReplyDelete
  102. hello po...i have hsbc security bank & metrobank cards of which i now have more than 80k outstanding balance for each card...i have been so diligent in paying more than the minimum due in each card to the extent that i wud even call their toll free numbers just to know how much i would pay but now i realized i could no longer afford to pay the whole outstanding due to financial constraints...i have no plans of running away from my debts but all i want is that these credit card issuers would be considerate & compassionate enough to give me big discounts & terms of payments without interest anymore until i could fully settle my accounts. my dur date will be one week from now & is it alright for me to call them beforehand to cancel my cards and to lower my outstanding balances and to allow me to pay said amount within a period of time without incurring interest? please enlighten me on what steps to take...thank you so much...Godbless...MOTHER IN DISTRESS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi MOTHER IN DISTRESS,

      1. is it alright for me to call them beforehand to cancel my cards and to lower my outstanding balances and to allow me to pay said amount within a period of time without incurring interest?

      It's alright to call. Problem is, they're not gonna do what you're asking.
      You can either just quit paying for now and wait for the harrassing calls and visits, or to focus all your payments on one card till you settle that. Of course you'd still get calls and visits from collectors from the other card.

      AG

      Delete
  103. i was offered a cash loan through my standard chartered bank credit card with an interest of .99% a month as what the caller said & i got hooked with his good salestalk that i agreed to a 36 months term. i received the check deposited it for clearing but three days later i had a deeper thought that i might not be able to pay the monthly amortization & so i called up scb to ask if i can send back the whole amount so i will not have any debt anymore or to give consolation i will just borrow 100k & return the remaining 80k because i applied for 180k but the customer service representative refused & said that i can no longer return any portion of the amount bcuz i will still be charged the same monthly amortization until the 36th month bcuz as he said NAKAPROGRAM NA SA COMPUTER and he said he forwarded my request to the one concerned for any action but up to now i have not received any word from them. the cut-off date of my card will be on the 26th & i am afraid that the amount of 180k will come out as my outstanding loan. please tell me what to do..
    i am willing to return the 80k so that with the 100k i shall have a lower monthlycamortization to pay...midair

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Midair,

      Just keep calling them back and tell them you're canceling the loan. They can do that. The computer is not an issue. Email the bank president if that's what it takes. You're a customer. You're the boss.

      If you got a car loan and after a couple of days you found out that you don't like the car, are you stuck with it? Of course not.

      You may have to pay interest though for the number of days you have had the money. Charge that to experience.

      Be aware that you have an impulsive streak.

      AG

      Delete
  104. hi! ask ko lang po kung pwede ko po ba i-request sa bank to close my cc kahit na may balance pa? tumawag po ako sa bank na kung pwede po iclose na yung cc ko at kung pwede ko pong bayaran installment yung balance. ang sabi po saken nung agent na nakausap ko hindi daw po pwede. antayin ko na lang daw po na tawagan ako ng collection department nila. ano po ba ang pwede kong gawin kasi gusto ko na po talagang iclose yung card ko para hindi na lumaki pa ang interest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,

      Of course you can request, but they won't do it. As the CSR said, just wait for the calls.

      Or, find a low-interest loan with a fixed monthly payment you can really afford and use it to pay your entire credit card balance.

      AG

      Delete
  105. Hello po Sir Argus,

    ito po ung case ko. i applied po for credit card.tapos ang napadala po is wrong spelling ng name ko.i called the bank toll free regarding this matter.sabi pa magsend lang daw ako ng 2 valid id with 3 signature.then nag fax ako sa sinabi nya.tapos iyong credit card daw na nareceive ko baliwala na daw.but i tried parin na gamitin.before po im paying for 3 months but now i cant manage anymore since jobless po ako.tapos may tumawag po sa akin na they file me estafa tapos ipa published pa daw sa news paper yung name and picture ko.


    please advise po what should i do???scared lang po ako na mapahiya kahit wrong spelling pa iyong name.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. napasa na po daw sa city namin yung record ko. do you think po pag dumating iyong subpoena haharap ako sa court?na wrong spelling naman iyong name.but im willing po to pay.soon pa lang po pagmakaraos na ako.

      Delete
    2. Hi AG,thank youfort his blog,a big helpforall of us whose peoblems are related tocreditcards.I have 3 credit cards, mtero bank,east west and BDO and no payment was made since july last year due to financial constraints.yeaterday i receive a demand letter from the office of the recovery and liquidation demanding me to pay the amount of P333k from mt BDO cc.nagulat ako at saan nila nakuha un amount na un, they olbliged me to pay within 5 days upon receipt of the letter or else they will file a case.AG,tanung ko sana,saan patutungo ang case ko,? Magfafall ba ito sa small claims since umabot na sa P333k? Ito ang madalas nmin pag awayan ng husband ko,am afraid bka tuluyan nkong iwan dahil sa iba't ibang sulat ng collection agencies.pls, help me.thnak you

      Delete
    3. Hi,

      City? What does that mean? If they already filed a case, why bother calling you for anything?
      If I were you I wouldn't worry about anything right now. They made a mistake printing out your card, you submitted what was required to correct it, so there's no intent to defraud. They honored your purchases, meaning they know it's yours plus you made payments but unfortunately you can't anymore for now.
      That's not estafa and don't worry about them publishing. That would just cost them money.
      It's just a threat.

      AG

      Delete
  106. Hello AG, am so thankful at may blog na ganito. I have 3 cc before, metrobank, BDO at east West bank, due to financial difficulty ay dinako nakapagbayad since july of last year,yesterday, i received a demand letter from the office of the recovery and liquidations,demanding me to pay the amount of P333K from my BDO cc. It's a huge amount,saan nila nakuha un amount,they gave me 5 days after receipt of the letter to settle or else they will push through with filing the case.kpag naifile po nila un case, mag fafall ba ito small claims,this is more than P333K,ano po ang mangyayari sa akin,pls. Help me,am so much terrified! "Mrs. Terrified"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mrs. Terrified,

      Since it is more than 100k then it will not fall under the rules of a Small Claims court.
      The worst that may happen is they file a case and you both reach an agreement on how the debt will be repaid.
      You will not go to jail, even if they file a case.
      They also don't normally file a case.
      You don't need to worry about the 5 day deadline because fortunately you don't have P333k.
      I think it's' just their way of coercing you to call or contact them.
      If I were you, I'd worry more about Mr. Terrified.
      Some extra TLC might appease him.

      AG

      Delete
    2. Thank you for the advise Mr. AG! Anong case ang pwede nilang ifile against me if i keep on ignoring those demand letters? Pwede ba nilang kunin ang mga properties nmin with the help of the sheriffs and police? thanks again "ms. Terrified"

      Delete
    3. Hi Ms. Terrified,

      If you read some of your demand letters some of these mention that they will file a civil case for collection of sum of money.
      No they cannot just take your properties without a court order.

      AG

      Delete
  107. Hello po ask ko lang since medyo similar lang ang problem ko but this one is different. I do not have credit card debt problems pero I have utility bill problems.

    I have some unpaid due balances from my utility bills (Cignal Cable) and (Globe Internet) I was a good customer payor until around July 2013 when I started having financial problems and hindi ko na nabayaran until now na CA na ang nag papadala ng text messages and letters sa bahay demanding the payment.

    Maliit lang naman yung amount knowing these utility bills naman it would not exceed 10k even 15k would be too much.

    The problem is wala pa akong pambayad ngayon but I certainly would pay it naman because actually I even do want to have my cable and internet REconnected kasi hassle lalo na pag internet ang naputol since part na din ng routine yun ng lifestyle ko.

    The question is, what if I am now ready to pay, who would I transact my payment with? Can I just go directly to the providers (Cignal and Globe) or should I just course it through these annoying CA?

    Parang nakakawalang gana kasi magbayad sa Collection Agency, tatakutin ka na, papatungan pa yung amount na bayad. Parang mas gusto ko na lang magbayad directly sa provider.

    Do you think that would work?

    the CA that are currently annoying me are Arquillo Law ek ek and JLN Asset something something..

    What do you recommend me doing? Who do you think I should pay to? Have you encountered these things from anyone in the past? Ano po nangyari?

    Thanks for the tips!

    -Mr. Utility Man

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mr. Utility Man,

      Just go to your utility provider and they should point you to the right course of action to take.

      AG

      Delete
  108. Hi AG,

    Good day!
    Same with other post i have problem on unpaid CC. I left the country few months ago and ever since i am not bale to pay my monthly due.
    My question is, will i have a hold departure case or banned sa immigration. I am planning to have vacation this november or december and i am afraid if i have hold departure case sa immigration then i may lose my oversea job. I am planning to pay my bill but i dont still have enough of now because of financial issue.tyvm

    hil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Hil,

      No immigration ban or hold departure case awaits you.

      AG

      Delete
    2. Hi AG,

      Maraming salamat! now i will buy a plane ticket. you are really helpful.
      More power and Godbless!

      Delete
  109. Hi!

    Ask ko lang po anu po kaya ang ggawin ko i received demand letter yesterday. I have unpaid cc debts from HSBC. actually nkipag negotiate na ko before sa collector naging ok naman usapan namen for 2mos. is started ng 22K.. nkapag bayad na ko po ako ng almost 7-9K den di ko na po napag patuloy ung payment ko actually tingin ko bayad ko na yung mismong Nacharge sken na gnmit ko. iniisip ko ang pinapbyran sken noon eh plus interest na npakalaki. until khapon nrecivd ako na 35K na ang utang ko.. gosh!! ang laki bgla.
    pls help..

    kitch...

    ReplyDelete
  110. how long will demand letter arrived? for cc bdo

    ReplyDelete
  111. i have bundle of card and this month my monthly billing statement arrived it was total of 84,500 include appliances installment my savings is o balance honestly as of now I dont have capability to pay those amount being a good daughter i fully support my family and i just found out that I have breast cancer so that why i cannot do my responsibility to my credit card my due was on nov 8 2013 that im surely cannot make it pay as my expected a collector will come at home i read a lot review about collector agency, Iam scared about it my question was did this credit bill amount 0f 84,500 will surely send me in jail? and did collector agency allowed to take those installment appliances? PLS... advised

    ReplyDelete
  112. Hi Emily Leatern,

    Sorry 'bout the late reply and so sorry about what you're going through right now.
    No jail and your appliances won't get hauled away by the collector.
    They are not allowed to do that.

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  113. Hi Mr. Argus,

    I worked abroad last 2008 for 1 year. I got layed-off due to recession that time. I have unpaid credit card bills sa HSBC UAE na mejo malaki din. Biglaan yung termination ko kaya di ko na nabayaran, willing naman ako bayaran yun kung di lang ako nadamay sa reccession. Just this month I received a letter from the attorneys office (atty filomeno arteche) attached is my billing from HSBC UAE. Wow nagulat ako from UAE yun tapos nakarating na dito?!?!

    Need advice ano pwede ko sabihin sa kanila. May laban ba ko kung sabihin ko na di ko na mababayaran yun kse wala nako sa UAE at din na rin ako nag wowork dun?

    Thanks in advance sir for your help!

    ReplyDelete
  114. Hi janmer,

    You can just ignore it.
    If they call just tell them you don't have that kind of money anymore.
    Don't worry about it.
    You may have to deal with it if you have plans to work in the UAE again.

    Sorry about the late reply though.

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  115. Hi AG,

    I hope you can enlighten me sa problem ko sa cc ko sa eastwest and metrobank. Yung makulit talaga is yung EW, tawag ng tawag almost 2 yrs na sya, pero yung sa metrobank ko recently lang sya. Yung collecting officer ng EW sabi they will file a case against me. Nakakakot ako kasi baka mag ka record ako sa NBI and sa other gov't agency. Wala po ba ako maging records nun? Kasi it might affect yung petition ko sa US. And ask ko lang din po if pwede pa ako mag ope ng account like ATM sa ibang bank kasi may nag sabi sa akin na blocklisted daw ako sa lahat ng bank pag delinquent ka sa cc? hope I can get a positive reply. tnx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,

      No need to worry about your NBI, or US petition.
      Yes you can open other ATM accounts.

      AG

      Delete
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    ReplyDelete
  117. Hi Sir,
    I have questions regarding my cc's, I have two, HSBC and Metrobank. My HSBC account has already been forwarded to a collecting agency. Question for this is can I still negotiate with the bank, since before i-forward sa CA I am arranging an installment basis on paying it, di ko lang po nafollow-up due to some emergency situations. If not, paano po ba process ng CA for the settlement of my account? It's a law firm within our province, will they filed a case against me? Or can I negotiate with them?
    Second, regarding my Metrobank CC, I've been paying the minimum due every month but now I don't have the capability to pay for it, can I also negotiate with the bank to have it on installment basis? If they agree and I wasn't able to pay the monthly bill, what might possibly happen.
    Hoping that you would enlighten me somehow as this was a burden to me cause my family didn't know of my current situation... thank you... you can call me Bella

    ReplyDelete
  118. Hi Bella,

    You may ask the bank about your accounts.
    CAs always seem to ask for large up-front payments first.
    They normally don't file cases especially if it's less than 100k.
    If your bank ever agrees for you to pay in installment and you're not able to keep up with the payments, you'll end up in the same place you started. That's why banks don't usually agree to it. They'll just pass it on to CAs.

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  119. Replies
    1. Hi Ms. Guerlain,

      You posted your question in - The Letter.
      They'd be in another page. There's a link below that says Oldest / Latest. Browse through those.

      AG

      Delete
  120. Hi Argus,

    I don't have any credit card debt but I had fallen to a scam wherein I surrendered my card to someone. I only realized my mistake when the bank called me informing me of a big purchase. My credit limit is 85k but then because of ongoing buy now pay later promos the culprit was able to charge more than limit amounting to about 107k,

    The bank informed me that someone from their fraud department will be calling me to discuss the issue but so far no one has called me. They will also be doing further investigation.

    Will I have to pay the said fraudulent charges? What happens if I only pay for the legit purchases and ignore the rest (I don't have that amount of money to pay for those things that I didn't purchase).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,

      Your bank would have the best answer for you.
      You don't have to pay for items you didn't purchase.
      Keep all records of communications with the bank and actions you have taken regarding your problem.

      AG

      Delete
  121. Hi Argus,

    You are a kind soul. I am grateful to have come across your blog. Reading through the posts and comments surely shed some light on the current situation I am in, much like the others here.

    My additional concern:

    I had always intended to pay my CC dues in lump sum when I have the means to do so. For this matter, you advised regarding getting in touch with the bank directly rather than the collection agency to whom they have endorsed my account. I want to do that and believe that would also ensure that I get my certification of full payment (and hopefully a "clean record" too, is that how it is?).

    However, I actually got in touch with them several times (even if I still didn't have the means to pay) to discuss my concern but only option they can offer was a balance transfer / installment. They also told me to talk to the CA, instead. Gist is, they were all about their SOP.

    I was thinking if I only wanted to pay a certain amount to close this off, I have to settle with the CA. Is that correct? How do I ensure that payment will go where it should, I will get certification and a "clean slate" and I will not be flagged again for this moving forward?

    I only intend to pay the principal after this particular bank ignored my concerns for so long (despite having been a client in good standing for several years, I even informed them that I will not be able to pay my dues back then after my last usual full payment).

    I read somewhere else that insurance would have paid them what I owe and they would have written it off that is why they are ignoring me and telling me to talk to the CA? Whatever I pay will just end up as the CA's commission. It has been said that it is also possible that my credit might never be back in good standing.

    Is it better to "forget" about this then? I spent and I should pay my obligations, that I know. That is why I have always intended to pay. Reading through several blogs and forums, however, it seems it is better to put my money elsewhere.

    What would you advise?

    Apologies for the long post and thank you in advance!

    ReplyDelete
  122. Hi Lara,

    I believe you've already done your part.
    If the bank says it's already with the CAs then they've sold your debt to CAs so let it be.
    Set aside some cash every month that you've intended for payment and use that as your stash for whatever. There's no rush to pay the CAs off though they make it sound like it's now or never, instead study your options carefully and take your time as you see fit.
    Relax.

    AG

    ReplyDelete
  123. Hi Argus,

    Got the same problem. May tumawag na CA sakin. I need to settle my HSBC loan amounting to 26k, pay the first half mid of the month and the remaining on the end of the month. I told him I cannot pay within the month since I don't have the money yet but I'm willing to pay for it naman and ask if he could extend until Feb but he disagree. All I need is an extension.

    Please advise...

    Thank you in advance!

    - Anne

    ReplyDelete
  124. Hai Mr. AG
    I have the same case..i have eastwest bank credit card which i dont personally applied for..all of us in the offce were sent witg thise cards last july2012..i was tempted to use it on nov.2012..i been paying it religiously until may 2013 bt i gave birth to my son thru caesarean operation and really cost us big..the agents have been calling my previous office from davao and now they came back and it reach my provincial adres..some "police insp." from quezon city warrant section called the provincial headquartr and then relayd to the police chief of my municipality then instructng his men to go to my clan..since this police insp.instructng them that i need to call him bcoz i have a case to settle..my mom got so afraid and called me. My question is..is this police insp. real?or just a connection of the collection team?he called my previous office and was so harsh saying he is a police insp.
    Is this case can be filed in quezon city w/o sending notices in our barangay or any subpoena thing?
    Pls.help me wd ds po.
    Thanx

    ReplyDelete
  125. Hi argus,

    Kapag ba pinatawag ako s barangay dhil s complaint ng CA at hindi ako umatend s tatlong patawag ay pwede b nila ako kasuhan ng ra8484? At

    ReplyDelete
  126. Argus hello..

    Sa hindi ba pagsagot s tawag nila sa cp ko ay pwede n rin b nila ako ksuhan ng ra84848? Una s lahat di register ang mga no nila skin so paano ko malalaman n sila nga yun...malay ko b kung budol budol yun tumatawag diba?

    ReplyDelete
  127. Argus..

    Kpag ba more than 100k ang utang ko pataas ay di na required na dalin p nila s baranggay ang kaso? Direct nb s court ng makati.? Paano kung less 100k nman. Required nman b n may baranggay settlement b.? Or s court na? Ano po ba ang correct protocol?

    ReplyDelete
  128. bat kaya di na nagrereply si mr. angus dito sa blog nya? is he ok?

    ReplyDelete
  129. Hi Mr. Argus!
    Thanks sa blog mo.. I was surfing the net about this "demand letter" from CC collection agency & I'm glad I found ur blogsite... But pls bear w/ me, I need to attend to my newborn baby so I have not enough time to read all the comments for now... Let me just ask the following questions please:

    1) My credit balance (accdg to my BDO cc statement last Feb 6, 2013) was 67k only -- DUE IMMEDIATELY since my last payment was Nov 2013. However, to my surprise, I received a demand letter this morning from ENZI Corporation (BDO colection agency based in Davao City), informing me of my cc outstanding balance amounting to 84k!!! When I calculated, 25% was added to my original outstanding balance of 67k based on BDO cc statement acct! Is this valid? Are they entitled to add 25% to my existing balance?

    2) Is it ok if I just pay any amount per month direct to BDO until I pay off my 67k balance & ignore/not negotiate w/ ENZI collection agency?

    3) Do I have to pay the original 67k or the 84k demanded by ENZI?

    Thanks. Hope u still find time to visit & answer comments from ur blogs..we need people like you who I think has the heart to help & understand us best..

    Regards,
    Nursing Mom

    ReplyDelete
  130. Hi po..
    Im liza..nahirapan na po ako magbayad s mga cc ko..3 n lng cc ko..i'd had one in unionbank..amounting 12k lng namn.pero nde ko n nbyarn..pero as of todY wala p namn letter..ngayon po ay nagresign ako at i need to magbago ng number ko kasi un number ko date ay naputol un line..ngayon po hnde ko po kayo bayarn yun mga 3 cc ko..for almost 2 months n po ako hndi nagbbayad..kasi kakastart ko lng s new work ko..ano po ba ang mangyayare skin? I need some tips po..ty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Liza,

      Since you have work, I suggest you focus on paying the credit card with the smallest balance. You should also stop using it though. With the rest, you would surely experience what the others are going thru. Just read some of the questions here and you'll get an idea.

      Regards,

      AG

      Delete
  131. Hello po,

    I have a question. I have an unsettled amount from BPI credit card and my card was already cancelled because of it. The problem right now is that I also have an existing car loan with BPI and I am almost fully paid with it. The car loan is not delinquent and I paid on time. Quick question. If mg fully paid na ang car loan ko but I still have a balance with my credit card with same bank, will they hold my car documents ( Car Registration.. etc)? Thanks and God Bless!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,

      No.
      Your car loan and credit card are two separate contractual agreements.

      AG

      Delete
    2. Hi,

      Thank you for the quick response. I am really worried that I cannot get my necessary documents in order for me to transfer the car registration to my name.

      Just in case they will hold my car docs, what is my legal remedy on this issue? Can I file a complaint. Where can I file a complaint as well?

      Thanks again.

      Delete
  132. Hi Ag,

    I have the same issue with the others, cc problem.
    I have a work but the income im receiving cannot even pay for the cc because I have to share my income with my two families, though I have my own now still I need to help my parents.
    I have 3 cards before Im confident enough to pay them but due to so many expenses and other problems came out to my family I cannot pay the minimum or even a centavo. Im so worried and cannot actually concentrate in my work as one of the collecting agent Admerex is keep on calling our office which I don't know from where did they get my office number.

    My question is on the RA 8484. Is there a grounds where the bank will say that i violate the RA 8484. Is not answering mobile phone will lead them to sue me violating ra 8484?
    Should i just take the calls and what approached is best on the this agents.

    Hope you can help me.

    Regards,

    rain



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rain,

      It's not RA8484.
      Just take the calls. They may sound mad or insulting but just remember that the agent can't really be angry because it's not the agent's money you borrowed. And the threats don't really mean much.

      Family comes first.

      AG

      Delete
    2. thank you so much.

      Regards,

      rain

      Delete
  133. Hi AG,

    I have a credit card problem too, my outstanding bill reaches 600K and keep on adding because of the interest. actually my last payment was Nov of 2013 that time my bill is only 243K but now it shoot up to almost 600K and offering a no interest charge of 509K,, wow, where in the world can i get that amount unless I won lottery. They said in order for me to keep updated I should pay 42K min in five days and for me to be enrolled in amnesty.
    What will happen given that i cannot pay the min amount and for that the bank officer said that they will file a case against me.

    Actually im a proud user of credit card because i can pay my card on time and higher that the min due, but problem arises and I need to support / help my family so instead of remitting money to credit card i opted to give it to my family.

    Am i violating the RA 8484? Please help me understand my possible case and what steps should I do.
    Thank you.

    Regards,

    Reg

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,

      It's not RA8484. Yours would be a civil case for the collection of a sum of money.
      Just wait for their call then tell them you can't give them what they're asking for right now as your family has more pressing needs.
      You can wait for a better deal.
      And if you really think about it, even if they file a case, it's just another thing that you have to deal with. Something you just put in your to-do list.
      A civil case does not say you're a bad person. And until the law says that they could chop your head off in 5 days if you can't pay, you really have nothing to worry about.

      AG

      Delete
    2. Thank you so much AG.

      Regards,

      Reg

      Delete
  134. Hi AG,

    I have 5 credit cards which I have maxed out and stopped paying since i lost my job two years ago. I was wondering if it would be better to just not pay them , because if you look at it, it would amount to a whole lot of money and this is something I cant afford as of the moment. Not a wise nor good decision to spend and live off of my credit cards before, but it already happened.

    any advice?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,

      You can do that.
      If you ever need any kind of loan from the bank though you might find it hard to get approved for one.

      AG

      Delete
  135. if it's being endorsed to the collections agency - do they have a way of filing any sort of case against you? i assume no, because the original contract is with the bank and there is no contract between you and the collections agency --- but under what circumstance will they be able to file a case against you?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,

      The moment you swiped that piece of plastic to get that pair of jeans, you were bound to whatever is in the bank's Terms and Conditions for using that card.
      Usually one of these is that they can assign your contract and their rights under that contract to a third party.

      AG

      Delete
  136. May dumating akong email from a CA of an Eastwestbank asking to pay may outstanding balance of 40k+ and they would help me daw a debt worry free with their amnesty program kaya ang babayaran ko nalang is 14k. Now back 2011 kc ang last payment ko thru amnesty program na rin at nahinto lang dahil nagresign ako sa work at nanganak ako. Ang cguro mga 5 mos nalang ang natitira kong babayaran. ngaun sa Email nila is ito .. "For your guidance, the BANKER’S ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (BAP), CREDIT CARD ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (CCAP), AND CREDIT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (CMAP) referred to us with STRICT INSTRUCTIONS to report status of ANY UNPAID FINANCIAL OBLIGATION for ALL BANKS IN THE COUNTRY under the name of me..." with the information of my mother and their address." then "If no feedback or response will be received, we will immediately refer the matter for further actions. We strongly advise you to reply to confirm your intent to settle, or you may confirm to decline. Otherwise we shall refer the matter that would require you to pay without any discount. In the event your account will be referred for Litigation, you are required to attend court hearings, which will also leaves you no choice but to hire and pay for a Lawyer to represent you, which may include the possibility of affecting your NBI PROFILE tagged with PENDING CASE." Is this thru? and can i pay nalang the remaining months na hindi ko nabayaran? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
Comment Page :

Hi,
If you are posting as Anonymous, it would help if you include a name or alias which I can refer to when I respond.

Thanks...

AG