Questions & Answers
Consequences of missing credit card payments
After missing 2 months of payments on a credit card, the bank presented a security cheque on my current account for AED 101,000 and it bounced.
They have said that they have filed a case with the police and issued a travel ban. I have since made a minimum payment as requested and plan to discuss repayment with the collections department.
As a businessman, I travel to other countries. Will I now be subject to a travel ban/ be detained at the airport / taken to prison?
The consequences are twofold, Criminal and Civil.
If the Police have not already contacted you, they will do so. You should attend. Failure to attend could result in proceedings being commenced and Judgment being imposed in absence.
If you are able to reach a settlement with the bank either in full or by way of agreed payment schedule, then the criminal proceedings should end subject to the agreement being made before any Judgment is made.
Upon the filing of a Complaint, details are ordinarily circulated to Authorities and could prevent travel and could involve detention at Airports both in and outside of the UAE.
If Criminal proceedings are commenced, then upon conviction penalties ranging from Fine to Imprisonment could be imposed.
Upon conclusion of criminal proceedings and the matter is not settled or payments maintained then civil proceedings to recover the debt may be commenced and could involve imprisonment for default.
If any proceedings are commenced then the deposit of your passport may be required thus preventing travel for the duration of proceedings.
It is, however, possible to substitute the Passport of another with or without the deposit of a cash surety thus allowing travel.
If you require further help or assistance you may contact me on +971 50 1257064 or via email at aworkman@alshamsilegal.com
