I am a civil servant working in Kien Giang Province, in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam, and I am sharing my experience to highlight the growing issue of illegal debt collection and phone harassment.
Since late December 2024, I have received numerous calls from a debt collection agency, despite having no connection to them or any debts owed. The harassment has been both persistent and aggressive, with calls coming in from morning until night. These calls have caused me significant emotional distress and disrupted my daily life.
The collectors have used threatening language, falsely accusing me of being involved in a loan I know nothing about. The harassment has extended to my workplace, where they have called the school’s landline, damaging my professional reputation and disrupting the educational environment.
This is not the first time I have been targeted. In 2021 and 2022, another financial company launched similar online attacks against me, violating my privacy and causing emotional harm.
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A man appearing to be in a distressing state. Illustration phot by Pexels |
Illegal debt collection is a growing problem in Vietnam, affecting not only borrowers but also innocent individuals and organizations. These unlawful tactics have sparked widespread public concern, as many people fall victim to aggressive collection methods.
Regulations from the State Bank of Vietnam state: “Financial companies are prohibited from contacting, reminding, or sending debt collection information to individuals or organizations who do not have an obligation to repay the debt.”
Yet many continue to exploit loopholes, using phone calls, text messages, and false information to intimidate victims, damage reputations, and disrupt workplaces. Many, like myself, have been victims of prolonged harassment, even though we are not involved in any loans. Some individuals have been threatened or defamed online, leading to severe consequences in their personal and professional lives.
As a victim of illegal debt collection, I wish to publicize my story to raise awareness of this issue and urge authorities to take decisive action against companies that violate debt collection regulations, ensuring the protection of individuals’ rights.
