Collection rip-off: As of today, there is more protection for consumers

As the consumer advice center NRW recalls, as of today there is improved protection for consumers against debt collection rip-offs. For example, the potential costs for some debt collection activities are capped more than before. However, consumer advocates complain that those who cannot settle the claims in one fell swoop would unfortunately gain little from the reform.

Mail from debt collection companies can sometimes arrive quickly: I forgot the invoice, reminders were overlooked or didn't arrive: hey presto, at some point mail from a debt collection company arrives. The latter often charge exorbitant costs that add to the original amounts. The new law in Germany now primarily relieves those who settle outstanding claims directly.

Until now, debt collection agencies have generally charged EUR 76.44, based on the fees charged by lawyers, even for small claims (up to EUR 50). So you quickly had to pay more in fees than the original amount. In the future, it may be a maximum of 32.40 euros in such cases. But there is now a new cost cap for claims over 50 euros. For example, with a claim of 500 euros, just under 53 euros in collection costs and expenses will generally be due in the future.

Stumbling block: The caps only apply if the claim is not disputed. Anyone who disputes the claim, e.g. B. because he thinks he has already paid the bill, has to reckon with higher costs in the event of a mistake. So you should be sure about what you are doing. Installment payments are usually not worthwhile either, because additional fees apply. Anyone who is so poorly off in the truest sense of the word that he initially sees no possibility of paying has to reckon with high additional costs again according to the old game.

Because the new law also allows for “particularly difficult or particularly extensive” cases to estimate amounts similar to those before. Unfortunately, it is not specified what is specifically considered difficult or extensive. The debt collection companies will probably usually have different ideas than the debtors.

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