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ABSA collections agents throwing away ABSA’s money?

A Debt Counsellor recently reported on how ABSA collections contacted his client in regard to arrears on his account. It seems they even threatened to take legal action in regard to arrears on the account. The consumer explained that the account is under debt review and that he doubts that there was any arrears as his payments were up to date.

The collections agent was unable to inform the consumer as to how much in arrears the account was. (strange! You would think that was the purpose of the call).At this point the Debt Counsellor got involved. it turns out that the consumer was indeed in arrears. For how much?

For a shocking R0.85. That’s right 85 cents.

Consider this: The collections agent had to call from Gauteng to Cape Town, the consumer had to stress and the DC had to make inquiries to figure out how much the account was in arrears and all that over 85 Cents. It seems that  there is a level of harassment involved here. Should the collections agent not know the exact amount in advance of contacting the consumer? Why did the debt review department not contact the DC ? And why is the system calling up these small arrears amounts? Should a consumer be threatened with the creditors withdrawal of involvement with a debt review and then the treat of further legal action to collect for such a small amount?

What a waste of time and energy!