Q: Hi Mam, I need clarification. I had a credit card loan which I was remitting though not on a regular basis due to salary delay. However, while I was travelling on emergency leave to attend my grandma's funeral last year, I was denied of travelling saying that there is a bounced cheque by the bank and thereafter was imprisoned for a day. The very next day I was released after paying an amount of AED 4950/- and the officer said that I need not have to pay anything further. The bounced cheque was for 60000/- and my total dues at that time were only about 15000/-. Now after almost a year, I received some calls from their collection department and they have sent a mail saying that my dues are now about 39,000/- and cautioned me not to travel. As I am planning to travel during the 1st week of May '19, I would like to know your valuable advice as to whether there will be a ban on me again. Appreciate & eagerly awaiting your valuable advice. Thank you, G. N.

Q: Hi Sir, I have a personal loan with a UAE bank, the amount was AED 240k. I paid 6 months, the remaining amount is 200k. My security cheque amount is AED 288k. Unfortunately, I am not getting a salary from my company so I can't pay the EMI. Currently, 2 months are overdue, the collection department people started harassing me. I sent all the relevant documents to the bank related to the salary issues... etc., but no help from them. Can I know what will be the penalty & jail term for it? Still, I am staying here in the UAE.

Q: I have a bank loan and credit card loan with 3 banks. As I am not receiving my salary of 4 months, what I have to do? From the company side, I can't do anything. They will pay later but not immediately. I will wait till that. What I have to do for loan repayment and credit card payments? If they go legal, what I have to do? If I didn't pay, is it possible to waive it off?

Q: I agreed with the collection agency regarding my unpaid credit card dues and they sent an email to me stating that as agreed, in the telephonic conversation, I can pay the amount as installments and close the cards. Is it valid to accept it as email from collection agent or I need to get the settlement agreement from bank on their letter head? Kindly advise.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I am a UAE ex-pat. I have a debt from a bank and their collection agency is trying to chase me. I am unable to pay back because of my financial issues. Now they are trying to defame me in my existing company and looping my employer in the emails to humiliate and defame me. Are they legally allowed to do so?

Q: Hi, I would like to ask if it is allowed for any debt collection company to send emails to multiple persons in my company which is HR, the CEO, and other colleagues of mine regarding the liability I have. Also, they keep on calling my workplace and keep on shouting at the reception to transfer the call directly to our HR Department. I would really appreciate it if someone can advise me on this matter.

Q: I would like to know about my issue: The bank sent me an email for a cheque execution notification case, an arrest warrant is in process and a travel ban is active. I have a personal loan of AED 50,000, two days after receiving the email, the bank called for a 50% discount for them to stop the case but I have to pay the full amount, a one-time payment. Since I cannot source this amount, I requested if they can offer installments but they refused and said they will proceed. At the moment, I still haven't received any sms or email from Dubai Courts. I am worried about the warrant. Please help. What should I do?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I have outstanding debts in the UAE, but I live overseas now. Debt collectors are reaching out to the companies I work for, creating embarrassment and harassment. Is there any legal way to make them stop?

Q: The bank said that they would file an execution case since I couldn't meet their demands. And as part of the process, they will visit my company and involve HR. Plus, I keep receiving excessive phone calls not only on my mobile but also on the company phones and landlines. Even the receptionist from the other branch received rude treatment even if I was constantly in contact with them. My questions are: 1. What is the process of execution case? 2. Is HR involved in this? Do they have the right to visit the company? 3. What can I do so they stop harassing me and my colleagues? Please, can someone help me with this? Thank you so much in advance.

Q: Dear Respected Lawyers, Subject: Request for Legal Advice Regarding Unlawful Practices by a Debt Collection Agency I would greatly appreciate your advice and guidance regarding a troubling issue my colleague is facing with a collection agency. The company has been contacting the employer, urging them to ask my colleague to get in touch with them regarding a supposed liability. This claim is related to a 15-year-old closed dispute with a bank credit card, and the issue seems to stem from outdated and inaccurate information on the AECB report. Our main concerns are as follows: Unauthorized Access: The company is accessing her AECB report without her consent. She has never given permission for them to retrieve or view her personal financial information. How is it possible for a third-party agency to openly access and track AECB reports, especially for a dispute that was resolved 15 years ago?

An interview-format article covering the topic of loans and bounced cheques in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

In the UAE, cheque bounce is a very frequent problem faced by people during their span in the country. It is covered under the purview of Commercial Transactions Law, and legal implications/penalties can be financially severe and daunting for more “serious” offenses. Bounced cheque issues may arise in a variety of commercial transactions, including but not limited to, companies’ exchanges, bank loans, property rents or purchases, and individual transactions.

This Law promulgates the Federal Penal Code (Criminal Law) of the United Arab Emirates. Crimes and chastisement punishments shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other penal codes.

The provisions of this Decree by Law amend the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 by replacing Clause (4) of Article (379) as well as Articles (600), (617), (641), (642), (643), (644), and adding new articles numbered (635) Bis, (641) Bis (1), (641) Bis (2), (641) Bis (3), (641) Bis (4), (643) Bis (1), (643) Bis (2), (644) Bis (1) and (644) Bis (2). The Decree-Law also repeals Articles (401), (402) and (403) of the Federal Law No. (3) of 1987.