Complaints about the methods used by debt collection companies are “raining”. As lawyer Anna Korsanou said on OPEN and the show “Now Together”, even getting in touch with them – whether a debtor or a lawyer – is difficult, as they do not answer phones and emails.
At the same time, simple procedures, such as the issuance of a debt or repayment certificate, are particularly time-consuming. The same applies to opening an account in the event that one fund sells a loan to another.
According to the lawyer, in some cases management companies have requested the repayment of amounts that have already been paid. She referred to the case of a client of theirs who received an out-of-court notice warning him that they would proceed with an execution act, although he was paying regularly. He also complained that they cannot see the debts on the platform for the extrajudicial mechanism.
Mrs. Korsanou also blamed the Bank of Greece for the behavior of the debt collectors, stressing that it does not supervise them sufficiently and mentioned that the Athens Bar Association recently protested their practices.
#demand #repayment #sums #paid
**Interview with Lawyer Anna Korsanou on Debt Collection Practices**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Anna. You recently mentioned on OPEN that complaints about debt collection companies are ”raining.” Can you elaborate on what specific issues you’re seeing from your clients?
**Anna Korsanou:** Absolutely. One of the primary concerns is the lack of communication from these companies. Whether it’s debtors trying to reach out or lawyers representing them, it’s incredibly challenging as many times they don’t respond to calls or emails. This lack of engagement only exacerbates the stress for individuals already dealing with debt.
**Interviewer:** You’ve noted that seemingly simple processes, like obtaining a debt repayment certificate, are taking an excessive amount of time. Why do you think that’s happening?
**Anna Korsanou:** It’s baffling. You’d think these processes would be streamlined, but they’re not. When a fund sells a loan to another entity, it creates additional layers of bureaucracy, often leaving debtors and their representatives in limbo. It’s inefficient and frustrating for everyone involved.
**Interviewer:** Your comments highlight a troubling case where a client received an execution notice for amounts he had already paid. How common are these errors?
**Anna Korsanou:** Unfortunately, they’re more common than one would hope. We’ve seen cases where management companies either mistakenly or, in some instances, purposefully overlook payments that have been made. This kind of oversight not only violates the rights of debtors but can also ruin their financial standing.
**Interviewer:** You’ve also pointed fingers at the Bank of Greece for not supervising these debt collectors adequately. What kind of changes do you think are necessary to improve the situation?
**Anna Korsanou:** There needs to be robust oversight and regulation of these companies. The Bank of Greece must step up its efforts to ensure that debt collection practices are fair and transparent. The Athens Bar Association has already articulated concerns, and it’s clear that there needs to be action taken to protect consumers.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for shedding light on these pressing issues, Anna. As we consider these challenges, we want to hear from our readers: What do you think about the current state of debt collection practices? Are these behaviors acceptable, or do they call for urgent reform in the system? Join the debate in the comments below!
