Q: Good day! I'm a resident of the UAE now. I had an unpaid bank loan in Saudi Arabia way back in 2014. Now, Bilkish agency, a debt collection agency, keeps on calling me to pay my debt in just a few days. I can't afford to pay immediately because I'm not earning too much. An agent said she will make sure the bank will block me here in the UAE. Does the collection agency have the right to block me in immigration or put me into travel ban here in the UAE? Thank you so much for your reply.

Q: Hello. I owe a bank here in the UAE a credit card debt amount. Due to circumstances (losing my main source of income, having other financial burdens, including monthly medical bills for cancer treatment & medications etc., and  I don't have health insurance), I haven't been able to pay back on time since over a year ago. Hence, that amount has since accumulated from a small figure to a relatively big one (currently at around AED 70,000). I have received an email recently from some "credit collection" agency, saying that if I don't pay back next month, they'll put a travel ban on me and file a civil case. However, it is impossible for me to pay this amount at this time. I am currently making "some" income (not as close as I used to before, but still), and have the intention to resolve this issue. Is there any way to reach a settlement with the bank (maybe to waive part of the amount or the interest), break down the monthly installments to smaller amounts, or any other solution you would suggest? Many thanks.

Q: Hi Sir, I have a concern regarding the issue with a collection agent for RAK Bank. I didn't pay my credit card debts for several months due to some family financial matter. Now, I am in trouble and put in a warning by the management for termination, because of the collection agent who keeps on sending emails to the company's email addresses on our website. He is harassing me also and affecting my emotions, mental health and credibility in the company. I have informed him that I can provide a payment by next month, but he keeps on insisting to pay on 28 and sending to the company's email address. What should I do?

Q: I have an unpaid credit card in the UAE. I no longer live in the UAE. However, I am trying to make payments as best I can. ENBD has referred the account to a collection agency, who is, of course, threatening with civil action and a "lifetime" GCC travel ban. In the next few months, I will be able to clear up the account but I need some time after being unemployed since leaving the UAE 12 months ago. If this goes to the civil court, is it best to hire a lawyer to deal with this since I am not in the UAE?

Q: I am an Indian citizen living in the UK. Can debt collectors file a case against me in the UK for a Dubai debt? Will my wife job be affected because if my debt?

Q: I was living in Dubai in 2013, left with only one bill from a credit card for 30,000 Dirhams. I got a call after 8 years today to pay the bill. Can you please advise what is the best way to handle this? Now I live in the US.

س: السلام عليكم، لدي قرض قديم عجزت عن سداده منذ العام ٢٠١٦. حُررت قضية جنحة مالية (شيك بسوء نية) وحُكِم بالغرامة المالية وقتها وتم سدادها. بعد ذلك لم نتمكن من الاتفاق على تسوية وازدادت أوضاعي المالية سوءًا مع شركتي القديمة التي أقاضيها الآن أمام المحكمة العمالية ولم تُنفِّذ الحكم الصادر. انتقلت إلى شركة حديثًا وبدأت تطاردني شركات التحصيل وأصبح الأمر مزعجًا لدرجة أنها تتصل على الشركة الجديدة والموظفين الذين يعملون بها والذين لم أتعرف عليهم حتى الآن ويطلعونهم على الأمر، بل ويرسلون رسائل إلى إيميلاتهم الشخصية ويخبرونهم أنني متهرب وأنهم يريدون التوصل إليّ! تسبب ذلك في جعل مدير الشركة يتخذ موقف عدواني ويوقف إجازاتي ويمهلني مهلة لوقف الأمر ومعالجة هذه الشركات ولا أدري ما الذي سيتخذه بعدها. هل ما تفعله هذه الشركات أمر قانوني؟ وما موقفي القانوني معها؟ أصبحت مهددًا بالطرد من وظيفتي وأعاني من نظرات زملائي لي؟

Q: Dear sir/madam, I owe a bank for a personal loan in Abu Dhabi. I have since left Abu Dhabi. I have contacted the bank and they will not negotiate, however, I find myself needing to return to the UAE. I have had contact with a debt company in the UAE that claims that for a price, they will remove the criminal police case by clearing the fine that was issued giving me a clearance letter, therefore allowing me to return. Is this correct? Can they do this via power of attorney?

Q: Hi Sir, I am living in Pakistan now, I have a credit card debt of AED 50,000 from a bank, but no security cheque was deposited. Now, the local credit recovery companies are calling me and giving me threats regarding a civil case. Can they put a civil case against me in Pakistan?     Thanks

With the introduction of the new procedures for obtaining a power of attorney (POA) remotely in the UAE, after it was mandatory to appear in person in front of the notary public as a global rule to ensure the identity and intention of the person requesting a POA, we put between your hands this brief guide for how you get it done.

Both creditors and borrowers must be aware of their rights and responsibilities when navigating the complicated laws and regulations of debt collection in the United Arab Emirates. In order to guarantee equitable treatment for all parties concerned, a set of laws and regulations control the legal debt collection procedure in the United Arab Emirates.

The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.