According to the Debt Collection Act in Norway, you will understand the rights and duties of debt collection. Therefore, if you have received a specific claim and you disagree with it, the next step is to contact the company you wanted in the first place. The main idea is to document that you have contacted them. Enter this website: besterefinansiering.no/oversikt-inkassobyråer-norge/ to learn more about debt collection regulations in Norway.
We recommend you keep a copy of a note and letter, especially after speaking with them. If they find your objections in proper mode, they will dispute the claim for apparent reasons. As a result, no one can collect the claim through a regular debt collection process. Therefore, they will send the case to the Conciliation Board for additional judicial assessment.
What If You Do Not Receive a Collection Notice?
If the debt collection agency has proof that they have sent you a notice responsibly, and the process ended up somewhere else, got delayed in the mail, or you have not received it for some reason. For instance, if they have sent a claim to the address you offered in the first place, it is sent correctly, meaning it is your responsibility to receive it on time.
For instance, if you have yet to report a change of address after moving out, the debt collection agency has fulfilled obligations, meaning you will receive penalties for delay.
What If You Do Not Pay on Time?
- Interest – The main idea is to comply with a deadline, meaning you must pay interest on your debt. You can find the interest rates online by checking out websites and resources. If you have received the claim because you have a loan installment you have not paid, the interest rate will be higher. In these situations, a collection agency can demand the loan interest instead.
- Debt Collection Fees – You must pay the debt collection agency interest fees. You can check this out online by reading the regulations, which will help you determine the best course of action. Since 2021, the fee has been approximately seven hundred kroner, but it may have gone up in the previous year.
What Happens When the Creditor Collects the Debt?
For a reminder notice, you must pay at least 1/20 of the overall penalty rate, which is vital to remember. Regarding payment requests, you must handle 3/20 of the overall rate you received. Still, it would be best to remember that the creditor can charge you up to one payment request and two reminders.
On the other hand, you can obtain one payment request, one collection notice, and one reminder. However, the maximum rates depend on numerous factors, especially if the debt happens externally because creditors must hire a lawyer or collection agency. As a result, you may need to pay a higher amount than the one you currently owe.
Still, you will not pay the fee based on the agency when you pay before the deadline since the first collection notice. Everything depends on whether the case is minor or major. In minor cases, a request can exceed twenty-eight days of the deadline. On the other hand, in a major situation, the deadline must be at most twenty-eight days.
Factors for Sending a Notice
The first and most important factor is that a notice must be in writing, and the deadline for paying the original claim must expire. The notice will give you a payment deadline of two weeks or fourteen days.
They can file the writing requirements by using either electronic communication or paper. Still, they must handle the process by following regulations.
It would be best if you remembered that the creditor must send a collection notice without sending you a reminder. Therefore, if the creditor is charging for the process, they must deal with the extra requirements, such as:
- Fourteen days must pass after the deadline
- The collection notice must feature the amount you must pay
- Transparent information that will state the nature of the claim
Debt Collection Practice Requirements
You should know that a debt collection agency or creditor must act based on the perfect practices and regulations within the act they follow. As a result, they must not use methods that will feature unreasonable pressure, inconvenience, and damage to you.
Suppose a debt collection agency or creditor violates best practices during the collection. In that case, you can sue them, which will prompt clearance. As a result, they will lose the opportunity to recover. The recovery costs will be deleted, but the claim may undergo a different procedure. We are talking about the practices that will affect the proper perspective, including:
- You will get incorrect and irrelevant information about the consequences.
- The information will be transparent to other people apart from yourself, which is an inconvenient and unreasonable solution.
- They act personally and abusively while trying to collect the debt, meaning they reach you at work and cause you inconvenience.
- They call you at night, in the evening, or during public holidays.
- A payment remark must be registered when they dispute the claim.
- For instance, claims can be disputed and unfounded.
- If they offer you a loan to cover the claim, which is an irregular situation.
- They must delete the payment remark the moment you pay for everything.
Still, they can register you as a lousy payer if you avoid paying. Still, they must remove the payment note the moment you settle everything. If you do not pay or respond, you can be registered with a notice, directly affecting your credit score. The collection agency must contact the Conciliation Board to register information about you.
The credit bureau will consider you a lousy payer when they register your information. That information will have significant consequences regarding whether you can receive insurance, a loan, or a mobile plan in the future. A single month after a contract, the agency will register information. But they must delete the remark after you settle everything.
According to regulations, the remark can last up to four years. Therefore, we recommend you talk with a credit information agency if you have a payment remark. After providing relevant personal information, they must inform you whether you have any registration.
Complain About Notice
Talk With a Debt Collection Agency or Creditor
Suppose you think the external or internal debt collection needs to follow relevant procedures throughout the process. In that case, you can file a complaint against the company, which can be liable based on the regulations and other factors. The main idea is to make complaints in writing and gather relevant information, including correspondence.
We recommend using the Consumer Council’s standard for complaint letters, which will help you throughout the process. That way, you can determine whether you can delay or altogether avoid the process.
The Norwegian Financial Services Complaints Board
After complaining directly to the debt collection agency or creditor, the next step is to check with the Board, which can access all relevant factors, including fees, calculations, agency, and deadlines, and determine if they violated best practices.
Remember that the Board cannot determine whether the claim is illegal. Still, it can check whether the agency acted correctly throughout the procedure. We recommend you check here to learn more about dealing with debt collection agencies.
Although their conclusion is advisory, you can use their information on your behalf while conducting a further complaint. Remember that the process is entirely free, meaning you can rest assured.
The Norwegian Data Protection Authority
The next step is contacting the Norwegian Data Protection Authority, especially if you have relevant questions about your rights regarding registering personal information. At the same time, the process may include payment remarks.
For instance, you may believe the debt collection agency must follow rules regarding registering your data. In that case, you should check out with the Data Protection Authority. Suppose you determine that a debt collection agency has registered payment remarks without following relevant procedures. In that case, you should complain and ensure the information is correct.
Why Should You Negotiate with Debt Collectors?
Suppose you decide to negotiate with debt collectors. In that case, you can reduce the amount you owe, and in some cases, the process can drop significantly. It is essential to recognize that the amount you owe is not set in stone, meaning the negotiations can help you reach a more favorable agreement that will meet your financial capabilities and situation.
- Reduce Stress – When you decide to negotiate a settlement, you can reduce the stress of debt collection, especially since the problems can become part of significant legal action.
- Boost Credit Score – The main idea is to settle a debt that directly affects your credit score. At the same time, you will minimize the negative impact of debt collection on reports.
- Avoid Legal Action – When you decide to negotiate the settlement, you can prevent legal actions against you, such as garnishing your wages and filing a lawsuit.
- Save Money – In most cases, you can negotiate a settlement while reducing the debt altogether. That way, you can save money overall.
- Regain Control – The more you negotiate with debt collectors, the more control you will have over your financial situation, providing you with peace of mind.