Many collection agencies do not comply with the rules. They make aggressive phone calls and send incorrect progress. Readers wondered: how do you, as a debtor, ensure that you do not get the victim of it?
Two of the thirty collection agencies that the Justice and Security Inspectorate (JENV) investigated did not comply with the regulations. The inspection announced this on Monday. Since 1 April this year, the Quality Collection Service Act (WKI) applies, which must offer protection to debtors.
Research shows that collection agencies do not always comply with the law. Consider, for example, intimidating phone calls on a Sunday and uncertainty about the claim. But what can you do as a debtor about that?
“Suppose you get an annoying phone call on Sunday. Then of course you can hang up,” says Tamara Madern, lecturer in debt prevention at the Hogeschool Utrecht. “But you are dealing with payment arrears, so it is wise to stay in contact. Then ask if you can call back the next day.”
The next step you can take is to submit a complaint about the collection agency to the creditor, Madern explains. “Suppose a telephone company hires a collection agency. Then you can indicate that the collection agency behaves indecently. That is the greatest strength.”
Does the collection agency exist?
In addition, you can make a report to the Meldpunt Quality Collection Service Act. There you can fill in a form that then goes to the JENV inspection. The Inspectorate analyzes the report and then determines whether investigation is required.
Many collection agencies are not registered, said chief inspector Hans Faber of the JENV inspection to the television program Radar . According to the WKI, that is the intention. You can search through the register of the Ministry of Justice and Security whether your collection agency is in between.
The consequences of this will also apply from 1 October 2026. This means that you do not owe collection costs if a collection agency is not registered.
Is the claim correct?
It is also possible that you are dealing with too high pressure on paying your claim. According to lawyer and debt expert André Moerman, the accuracy of the fourteen -day letter is extremely important. That is the reminder that the creditor must send.
“It must state that after receiving the letter you still have fourteen days to pay,” Moerman explains. “If you have not received the letter or it says: pay after today, then you don’t have to pay it.”
The agencies sometimes charge too high collection costs. To calculate the right costs, you can use different calculation tools. This way you can see whether the desk requires the correct percentage on top of the outstanding account.
There are also collection agencies that charge high administration costs, says Moerman. “That is not allowed.”
The minimum collection costs are 40 euros per account. The maximum costs can be calculated with a percentage that you can find here. Interest can also be charged on your outstanding debt.
Received claim from another company
The debtor can cause uncertainty if companies take over or merge each other, says Linda van Vliet of branch organization NVVK. “You may have an old letter from a company that no longer exists. Then the claim can still exist.”
According to Van Vliet, it would be better if there was also a central registration for these claims. In this way the debtor can better find the claim. Now only the collection service providers are registered.
Many collection agencies do not comply with the rules. They make aggressive phone calls and send incorrect claims. Readers Wondeed: How do you, as a Debtor, Ensure that you do not Become a Victim of this?
Two of the Thirty Collection Agencies Investigated by the Justice and Security Inspectorate (JENV) Did not Comply With The Regulations. The Inspection Announced this on Monday. The Debt Collection Services Quality Act (WKI), which Should Protect Debtors, Has Been in Force Since April 1 This year.
Research shows that collection agencies do not always comply with the law. For Example, Intimidating Phone calls on a Sunday and Unclear Claims. But what can you do about that as a debtor?
“Suppose You Receive An Annoying Phone Call on Sunday. Then you can of course Hang Up,” Says Tamara Madern, Lecturer in Debt Prevention at the Hogeschool Utrecht. “But you are Dealing with Payment Arrears, so it is wise to stay in contact. Then ask if you can call the next day.”
The next step you can take is to file a complaint about the collection agency with the creditor, Madern Explains. “Suppose a telephone company Hires a Collection Agency. Then you can indicate that the collection agency is assignment indently. That is where the greatest power lies.”
Does the collection agency exist?
You can also report this to the reporting center for the debt collection services Quality Act. There you can fill in a form that will then be sent to the jenv inspectorate. The Inspectorate Analyzes The Report and then Determines Whether An Investigation is Necessary.
Many Collection Agencies are not registered, Said Chief Inspector Hans Faber of the JenV Inspectorate on the Television Program Radar . That is the intentional accordance to the wki. You can use the register of the ministry of justice and security to search for your collection agency.
The Conthequences of this will also Apply from October 1, 2026. This mean that you will not owe any collection costs if a collection agency is not registered.
Is the claim correct?
It is also Possible that you are under too much pressure to pay your claim. Accordance to Lawyer and Debt Expert André Moerman, The Accuracy of the Fourteen-Day Letter is extremely important. That is the reminder that the creditor must send.
“It must state that you have fourteen days to pay after receiving the letter,” Moerman Explains. “If you have not received the letter or it says: pay after today, then you do not have to pay it.”
The Agencies Sometimes Charge Excessive Collection Costs. To calculate the correct costs, you can use varous calculation tools. This way you can see Whether the agency is Asking for the correct percentage on top of the outstanding Bill.
Furthermore, there are Collection Agencies That Charge High Administration Costs, Says Moerman. “That is not allowed.”
The minimum collection costs are 40 euros per bill. The maximum costs can be calculated using a percentage that you can find here. Interest may also be charged on your outstanding debt.
Claim Received from Another Company
Uncertainty May Arise for the Debtor IF Companies Take over Or Merge, Says Linda van Vliet from Industry Organization NVVK. “You May Have An Old Letter From A Company That No Longer Exists. Then the Claim May Still Exist.”
Accordance to van Vliet, it would be better if there was also a central registration for these claims. In This Way, The Debtor Can Find the Claim More Easily. Currently, Only the Debt Collection Service Providers are registered.