Debt Collection agencies in Switzerland
 

Are debt collection agencies like Intrum Justia legally allowed to pursue debts? I had an issue with a service provider, received a letter from an debt collection agency with huge extra charges, and then paid the original invoice from the original provider. Is this ok?

Re: Debt Collection agencies in Switzerland
 

Most likley the collection agency will try to collect their additional charges, however
in addition to the basic claim, only default interest is owed. Reminder fees are owed if this is provided for in the general terms and conditions of your service provider. Any additional charges do not have to be paid hence can be contested.

So basically you still owe interest on the original amount
and possible reminder fees.

https://www.srf.ch/sendungen/kassens...nd-ihre-rechte

Re: Debt Collection agencies in Switzerland
 

Thanks for this. Situation was this: Basically a locksmith repaired a lock on a door of a house that I manage. After a week or so the lock failed and the locksmith sent the lock off to the manufacturer for repair/reset. This literally took more than 6 months. This was not successful, so a new cylinder was installed by said locksmith. I contested the cost of the bill (Chf 740+). They said this was normal and we had a back and forth. I never recieved any rappel/manung, only the original bill a second time, and no claimed interest, while I was still trying to negotiate. Then the debt collectors bill arrived will all the charges and interest owed. So I just thought "I don't need this sh&t" and paid the orginal. I don't see why I need to pay the debt collector anything. Am I making sense? Can they now legally come after me for interest, which was never mentioned, and for the fact that I never received reminders?

Re: Debt Collection agencies in Switzerland
 

That sounds expensive for a lock, is it some kind special setup?

Are 740 CHF for the first installation or were you billed for the follow-up aswell?
How long after you recieved the second bill did you pay the original one?

Re: Debt Collection agencies in Switzerland
 

It's what you get for not asking how much. I was told once "you called us we can charge you whatever we want". Is this 740 for everything or for replacing the new failed lock?


You wrote to them to contest it and the next you heard was from the debt collectors?



usually if you don't pay it goes to Betreibung first and if contested eventually someone will decide. Until then if someone wants to hire a debt collector it's on there own volition. You should maybe write to them to say the original debt doesn't exist and you don't want to hear from them again.

Re: Debt Collection agencies in Switzerland
 

Thanks for this. What do mean by service provider? There was no contract, only a bill.

Re: Debt Collection agencies in Switzerland
 

Locksmith aka service provider.
Have you checked for fine print at the bottom of the bill?

If nothing is mentioned you only owe whats on the bill.

Re: Debt Collection agencies in Switzerland
 

Zero mentioned. Received the invoice once by email. No fine print, no 1st, or 2nd rappel, mahnung. Debt went to collection agency, I paid original, now they want CHF 420 in fees. Also no registered letter ever sent from locksmith.

Re: Debt Collection agencies in Switzerland
 

I know one would expect at least 1 reminder, but there is no obligation.

Did you check the link I posted a while back? It pretty much details what you have to do.

https://www.srf.ch/sendungen/kassens...nd-ihre-rechte

Inform (by registered letter) the collection agency that the original invoice has been paid.
The only extra fee that might be charged is interest on the original amount.

How much interested is asked?

Re: Debt Collection agencies in Switzerland
 

Thanks so much. No I need to read this and thanks so much! CHF 135.- in Interest and CHF 270.- in fees and damages

Re: Debt Collection agencies in Switzerland
 

Here also regarding interest

https://www.beobachter.ch/rechtslexikon/verzugszinsen

I cant edit my old posting regarding this, but apparently if nothing else has been agreed 5 % in interest can be added based on the original amount - not the amount including all other fees.