I’m a Filipino in Dubai and Scared I Will Have to Leave the Country to Avoid Jail. – Hope

Hope wrote to me through the GetOutOfDebt.org site and asked the following question. If you have a credit or debt question you’d like to ask just use the online form. I’m happy to help you totally for free.

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“Hi Steve,

I’m a filipino currently employed here in Dubai. going for 2 years. I have some personal loans & credit cards here in Dubai. Before, everything is fine because overtime is open in our dept. which makes my earnings more adequate to my expenses & i still can manage all my financial obligations. Then the economic crisis affects our company, our overtime hours has been lessen & almost suspended at all. Now, my basic monthly salary cannot support my monthly obligations paying the banks & sending money back home. I have also tried negotiating with the banks, and their response is that, they can only help who had lost their jobs. Im very afraid that maybe a month or two, i would start defaulting. I also cannot see any hope in our company bringing back the opportunity to have overtime since we are deeply affected by the crisis. Im planning to runaway and go back to my country while i still have a time, to avoid embarrassment if im gonna be jailed.

Is there any chance that im gonna be arrested or jailed in my own country in running away with my debt, with the help of local authorities, particularly in Phillipines? Are the banks & financial institutions here in UAE can manage to sue me in my country?

Thanks, your advise will be a big help.

Hope”

The Answer:

 

Dear Hope,

The reason we talk about actually going to jail in Dubai for debts is because if you fail to pay your debts in Dubai, you do go to jail until you can pay off the debt and get out of jail. From all the research I have done there does not appear to be any middle ground that would allow you to pay less than the amount due and stay out of trouble with your creditors in the UAE.

I can’t believe in this modern age that a debtor prison still exists, but apparently it does in Dubai. And there are no personal bankruptcy laws on the books so that option is out.

From everything that I have read and learned, if you see that you will imminently fall behind on your bills, your are the citizen of another country, and you do not plan to come back to an gulf GCC country again, then leaving Dubai is a reasonable solution to avoid imprisonment.

I can’t think of any stories from people that were sued back in their home country or the Philippines for old Dubai debt. Of course, i suppose if a UAE bank wanted to spend time and money to deal with you back home, it is possible, but not profitable for the bank.

All of that being said, it would not hurt you to seek the advice of a lawyer in Dubai to confirm everything I’ve said.

Big Hug!

Im a Filipino in Dubai and Scared I Will Have to Leave the Country to Avoid Jail. Hope uae gcc dubai ask the get out of debt expert
@GetOutOfDebtGuy

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  • kris

    Hi just want your advice.. Here’s my case i got a loan in ADIB abu dhabi islamic bank. Im paying regularly and timely manner for one year up to now.. Im planning to go to canada for job. Am i able to cancelled my visa here in dubai terminated or resigned?? Im going directly to canada. I dont want to inform to the bank. What im planning is to continue to pay my loan while im in canada.. Im thinking if i will inform the bank that im leaving uae they might hold me in immigration. I dont have intention to run away my depts. i just want to grab the opportunity to work in canada. Please need your advice. Thank u. Godbless – kris

  • Laura

    HI ALL! 5 years ago i left qatar and accepted a job offer in dubai, I left a CC debt of QR 7,500, when i went to dubai i tried to pay thru one of the standard chartered branch there but they refused to accept the money since it is a different branch.. recently i received a call from Japet a collections agency that i have to pay QR 50k. i am currently in the philippines now on vacation and i will be going back to saudi arabia on February, they asked me to pay QR 2k, i will be paying this amount since i also did the same with mashreq, if i don’t pay this immediately on the date given, can they issue a hold departure order? thank u!!!

  • Chen_khulet06

    hi, i had a loan in citibank bahrain. so far
    i just paid half of it. excluding charges, for
    some reasons that the bank will not accept why
    i stopped paying it. i did not bother myself to ask
    or make any letter to them saying sorry.
    since im scared of travel bann, i just want to ask
    is thier any amount that is liable for bann?
    they dont call me for almost a year already to
    to follow up and ask why i stopped paying them?

    hoping for your advice!

  • Paula Gilbert

    Hi. I am going to Dubai by January next year to work. Currently I’m holding a credit card which I got here in Philippines. Will my employer oblige me to get a new credit card once I’m in Dubai? I hope not since I already have a credit card that I’ve been using for several years now.

    • http://GetOutOfDebt.org Steve Rhode

      I would be surprised if they “required” you to get a new personal credit card.

  • Thornbird92

    This is a brilliant website, i have a peculiar case as i would like to think so , i left Dubai in a hurry due to personal reasons with two credit card debts with outstanding of 15K each , i left dubai in Jul 2011 , since then till date i have paid of the minimumn amount on the CC everymonth as per the statement without fail through freinds in Dubai and will continue to do so,, i get the statement and i arrange for the funds and pay atleast the minimum every month…

    but just before i could leave  i got a call from a bank for a a card that i had closed 4 years ago. they said there was a balance pending i reasoned with them saying i had closed the card 4 years ago and i was in dubai for all these years why did they not contact me than and they said the bank had change hands , after that i received no more calls as i had cleary told them that this card was closed 4 years ago and i will not pay….

    when in my home country i was informed by my ex colleague that this bank had called only once enquiring about me … my concern is i plan in the next 4 months or so to travel through europe and would be transiting through DOHA would this be an issue

    look forward to your response

  • manilyn

    I worked in dubai for 3 years and my company want me to signed a new contract,after i signed a new contract i took my vacation and now im planning not to go back in Dubai ,my question is Iam blocklisted the whole UAE and it is life time ?

  • manilyn

    I worked in dubai for 3 years and my company want me to signed a new contract,after i signed a new contract i took my vacation and now im planning not to go back in Dubai ,my question is Iam blocklisted the whole UAE and it is life time ?

  • Aprilbench_20

    hi i have also the same problem,, i have a principal loan in mashreq for 22k i paid already almost 15k but the bank told me, that because of the intereset and other charges it become 40k,and now i received an email from enzi corporation , that they will file me a case,,in the philiipines and they will also send a copy to International Police,,pls enlightend my mind..coz it really makes me upset knowing i paid already 15k.

    jo

    • http://GetOutOfDebt.org Steve Rhode

      Contact the bank and discuss this with them. See if you can make mutually agreeable repayment arrangements for the balance.

    • Atty Vj

      Hi,

      Do not worry about their threats of suing you in the Philippines.  If ever (and take note this is if and only if your bank thru their legal represenative) is able to successfully establish a standing to sue you before Philippine courts, it would only be civil case.  It will be another legal issue whether they will be able to convince the judge to issue a hold departure order against you.  In our country, our Constitution disavows imprisonment for non-payment of debt.  So don’t worry.

      Should you have any further queries, dont hesitate to let me know.

      Yours truly,

      Atty. Veej

      • Phil Manuel

        Atty. Veej,

        Is it safe travelling with in GCC countries except UAE if I have a pending case in Dubai court due to non payment of credict card and personal loans? I need an advised as I am accepted to work in KSA and visa will be stamped in my passport one of this days.

        Phil Manuel

      • Kris

        Hi atty.

        Hi just want your advice.. Here’s my case i got a loan from a islamic bank. Im paying regularly and timely manner for one year up to now.. Im planning to go to canada for job. Am i able to cancelled my visa here in dubai terminated or resigned?? Im going directly to canada. I dont want to inform to the bank. What im planning is to continue to pay my loan while im in canada.. Im thinking if i will inform the bank that im leaving uae they might hold me in immigration. I dont have intention to run away my depts. i just want to grab the opportunity to work in canada. Please need your advice. Thank u. Godbless – kris

  • Loyolajasmine

    Hi my name is jamine..i have a bank loan in citybank Dubai and I already left the country without settling my financial obligation, Now I went back to my home country, Indian. There is also a city bank here. Are they going to arrest me for not paying the loan in citybank dubai? And is it possible to go other country like canada?

    • http://GetOutOfDebt.org Steve Rhode

      You may face some collection activity in India but they can’t arrest you. I can’t see any reason why you would not be able to travel to Canada.

  • Kurtryanvillegas

    Hello Steve

    I worked in Abu Dhabi in 2005 and have a vacation leave in my country but unfortunately my father got sick and i was not able to come back to my work and left a personal loan and credit card unpaid and only last year that a collection agency The Bilkish contacted me through email regarding my unpaid loan amounting to 80K aed including of interest and other charges, I spoke to their representative here in the Philippines and ask if im qualified for an amnesty or credit insurance shield and asiking for consideration regarding my debt, they told me that they will discuss with the bank my concern I also asked if they already filed a police case against me because i have a job offer in Qatar, Is it possible for me to work in Qatar?? I already started paying my loan in amount I can afford last May of this year, I received an email from bilkish representative that the bank did not file the police case against me, how will i know that there is no police case against me?How safe for me to work in Qatar? waiting for your response..thank you.

     BarelyBreathing

  • Kurtryanvillegas

    Hello Steve

    I worked in Abu Dhabi in 2005 and have a vacation leave in my country but unfortunately my father got sick and i was not able to come back to my work and left a personal loan and credit card unpaid and only last year that a collection agency The Bilkish contacted me through email regarding my unpaid loan amounting to 80K aed including of interest and other charges, I spoke to their representative here in the Philippines and ask if im qualified for an amnesty or credit insurance shield and asiking for consideration regarding my debt, they told me that they will discuss with the bank my concern I also asked if they already filed a police case against me because i have a job offer in Qatar, Is it possible for me to work in Qatar?? I already started paying my loan in amount I can afford last May of this year, I received an email from bilkish representative that the bank did not file the police case against me, how will i know that there is no police case against me?How safe for me to work in Qatar? waiting for your response..thank you.

     BarelyBreathing

  • Margedubai

    Hi Sir,

    I would like to inquire if in case you have a case in the UAE for Credit cards and Loan can you they file a case against you in your home country? Can they sieze the properties of my parents back home and there is one collection agent that they are going to keep my son until I have paid my loan.  Can they execute any case against me in my home country?

    I hope you can enlighten me regarding this matter

    Johanna

  • Margedubai

    Hi Sir,

    I would like to inquire if in case you have a case in the UAE for Credit cards and Loan can you they file a case against you in your home country? Can they sieze the properties of my parents back home and there is one collection agent that they are going to keep my son until I have paid my loan.  Can they execute any case against me in my home country?

    I hope you can enlighten me regarding this matter

    Johanna

  • chabilita

    hi hope i also work from uae and have the same case… theres this person came from bilkish telling me to settle the amount of 10,000dhs. not later than march 25. i still don’t have a work so how am i going to pay that? im planning to go to australia is there a possibility of travel ban in all the country? im so worried about this i don’t want to run from my debts but im still broke… is it true that they can file a case against me here in the philippines? what happened to all the person who received a message from bilkish? pls. give me info. tnx chabilita

  • HOPE

    Let one of your friend check in Muraquabat police station. Give your passport number, just make an excuse or a bluff before asking the police. I think you still doesn’t have a police case since it takes 6 to 8 months in recovering before they finally give up. Go home dude. Have a happy life there insted in Dubai.

  • HOPE

    Hi NAZEAD, this is HOPE. If youre still in Europe now & planning to go back here in the Philippines, make sure that your flight are not associated in TRANSITING in Dubai. Or else you can be arrested. Those collection agents are using all their possible resources even social networks to harassed and intimidate you. But they cant do anything unless your foot wont land in any GCC country anymore. By this time, I believe they might have filed a police case. It’s been a year now also & expecting to receive letters from Collecting agency based here in the Philippines, but still get nothing. God Bless.

  • nazead

    hi, I left UAE for more than a year now with an unpaid loan/credit cards. the loan monthly payment was deducted automatically from my salary, except for the credit cards which I have to pay myself directly to the bank or somewhere else, so there was no cheque issued. by the way, someone from the bank managed to find me in facebook and tells me that my case had been forwarded to the authorities and that I will have a travel ban unless I pay them back..I now live in europe and thinking of going home to philippines, is there a possibility that I can get arrested or they can hold me in the airport immigration due to my unpaid debts in UAE?

  • nazead

    hi, I left UAE for more than a year now with an unpaid loan/credit cards. the loan monthly payment was deducted automatically from my salary, except for the credit cards which I have to pay myself directly to the bank or somewhere else, so there was no cheque issued. by the way, someone from the bank managed to find me in facebook and tells me that my case had been forwarded to the authorities and that I will have a travel ban unless I pay them back..I now live in europe and thinking of going home to philippines, is there a possibility that I can get arrested or they can hold me in the airport immigration due to my unpaid debts in UAE?

  • Jason

    Hi bloody hell. I think you need to know more about criminal law. bouncing check law is a criminal offense. Criminal law is jurisdictional. Since the crime was commited in other country, there is now way that philippines courts have jurisdiction over the case. So what you are saying has no basis and therefore its false.

  • Jason

    Hi bloody hell. I think you need to know more about criminal law. bouncing check law is a criminal offense. Criminal law is jurisdictional. Since the crime was commited in other country, there is now way that philippines courts have jurisdiction over the case. So what you are saying has no basis and therefore its false.

    • nazead

      hi, I left UAE for more than a year now with an unpaid loan/credit cards. the loan monthly payment was deducted automatically from my salary, except for the credit cards which I have to pay myself directly to the bank or somewhere else, so there was no cheque issued. by the way, someone from the bank managed to find me in facebook and tells me that my case had been forwarded to the authorities and that I will have a travel ban unless I pay them back..I now live in europe and thinking of going home to philippines, is there a possibility that I can get arrested or they can hold me in the airport immigration due to my unpaid debts in UAE?

      • HOPE

        Hi NAZEAD, this is HOPE. If youre still in Europe now & planning to go back here in the Philippines, make sure that your flight are not associated in TRANSITING in Dubai. Or else you can be arrested. Those collection agents are using all their possible resources even social networks to harassed and intimidate you. But they cant do anything unless your foot wont land in any GCC country anymore. By this time, I believe they might have filed a police case. It’s been a year now also & expecting to receive letters from Collecting agency based here in the Philippines, but still get nothing. God Bless.

      • chabilita

        hi hope i also work from uae and have the same case… theres this person came from bilkish telling me to settle the amount of 10,000dhs. not later than march 25. i still don’t have a work so how am i going to pay that? im planning to go to australia is there a possibility of travel ban in all the country? im so worried about this i don’t want to run from my debts but im still broke… is it true that they can file a case against me here in the philippines? what happened to all the person who received a message from bilkish? pls. give me info. tnx chabilita

      • Jhuls

        hi nazead, did you leave dubai with visa cancelled or not?

  • grace

    Hi Joy,
    Pray hard and you’ll get through this..

  • grace

    hello CK, my heart goes out t you as we suffered the same fate. At least you managed to secure a job over here. I,myself are being harrassed as well, thank God only via email. No calls, no visits and I saved myself from humuliation in the neighborhood as well as my parents from taking its burden. Anyhow, I’ll pray for you and to the rest of us having the same fate. The Lord is our shield, our protector..read Psalm 23 and Psalm 91.
    God Bless…we’ll get through this.

  • Aira_amin

    i received a bank statement account from emirates NBD… and they put returned cheque insufficient fund… this is my payroll account… but this ATM card/account number was lost when im in my vacation.. i inform the bank that i lost my ATM card… i have credit card that is automatically deducted on my salary/atm card… due to my lost ATM card i pay my credit card through Al Ansari exchange but due to financial crisis i only pay below minimum… one of the call agent called me to pay that certain amount.. so on that day i paid the said amount but after a week they texted me that returned chq no: insufficient fund…. and now i received my bank statement of account stated transfer cheque return, insufficient fund… what will i do with this… do they already filed me a case… how long does it will take effect if they filed me a case… do i have record in the immigration… im really worried i want to home but im afraid if they catch me in airport.

  • amsterdamgirl

    The freaking thing is the horroble bank in Dubai take their risk in all those Filipino people who lend money from their bank.I would say its stupid from them and when the Filipinos cannot paid anymore and went back home they will hunt them down? That is so cruel. Whoever those Lawyers working together with those Bank in UAE they should go to heal. They should protect their own people and never sue them for this reason because nobody really wants their situation to go and move back to the Philippines, because of recession or health problems. The Filipino Lawyers should be enlighten that ones and for all this is not those Filipino’s wish. Those money was insured by the bank anyway please let those people live in peace and help them surpassed this trials. They said this is just a civil case. My brother has the same isssue. He got loans or credit in the bank there in UAE. He need to go back silently in the Philippines because of his health problems. Even trying to explain the bank his situation they wont listen and will make him more stress which is really bad for his heart. I am so devastated about it knowing he is willing to work and paid his debts.Now he is still coping up with his heart problems and this freakin local lawyer offices send a letter . He is freakin out ofcourse! anyway he decided not to contact the local lawyer and will just wait in the trial court if they will really proceed the case. I feel bad about this situation but I am confident that we will win the case if there is any.If you are a lawyer and can help me dealing with this case, please I would be willing to read your opinions. He went to the lawyer already and advise him its just harassment. If they get my own property since I am his sister – I will make it sure that lawyer who sue him will get something from me , I will sue them back.

    • Aira_amin

      i received a bank statement account from emirates NBD… and they put returned cheque insufficient fund… this is my payroll account… but this ATM card/account number was lost when im in my vacation.. i inform the bank that i lost my ATM card… i have credit card that is automatically deducted on my salary/atm card… due to my lost ATM card i pay my credit card through Al Ansari exchange but due to financial crisis i only pay below minimum… one of the call agent called me to pay that certain amount.. so on that day i paid the said amount but after a week they texted me that returned chq no: insufficient fund…. and now i received my bank statement of account stated transfer cheque return, insufficient fund… what will i do with this… do they already filed me a case… how long does it will take effect if they filed me a case… do i have record in the immigration… im really worried i want to home but im afraid if they catch me in airport.

      • HOPE

        Let one of your friend check in Muraquabat police station. Give your passport number, just make an excuse or a bluff before asking the police. I think you still doesn’t have a police case since it takes 6 to 8 months in recovering before they finally give up. Go home dude. Have a happy life there insted in Dubai.

  • attorney

    bloody hell. please be informed of this article and browse this: http://blog.pinoy-business.com/bouncing-checks-bp-22-matters-a-layman-should-know/ so that you will not mislead filipinos:
    Bouncing Checks (BP 22): Matters a Layman Should Know

    Checks are commonly used in business. Some people, however, still have this misplaced confidence in the deterrent effect of Batas Pambansa (B.P.) Blg. 22, also known as the Bouncing Checks Law. While it’s important to observe certain reminders to prevent check fraud, here are some things a layman should know:

    1. The issuer is not automatically liable simply because the check “bounced”. A check (or “checque”) generally “bounces” when dishonored upon presentment (reasons include, account closed, drawn against insufficient funds or DAIF). However, it is indispensable that the issuer must be notified in WRITING about the fact of dishonor, and he has 5 days from receipt to pay the value of the check or make arrangements for the payment thereof. This requirement, however, had been relaxed in a case.

    2. Filing fees are generally not required for criminal cases. For B.P. 22 cases, however, the complainant is required to pay the filing fees (based on the value of the check/s and the damages claimed, just like in civil cases) upon filing of the case in court.

    3. No warrant of arrest is issued unless the accused fails to appear when required by the court. One major deterrent against bouncing checks is the threat of a warrant of arrest being issued once the criminal case is filed in court. This is no longer true.

    4. The court can’t issue a hold-departure order (HDO), even if a criminal case under B.P. 22 is filed. All violations of the Bouncing Checks Law, regardless of the amount involved, are filed only with the municipal/metropolitan trial courts. These courts cannot issue an HDO.

    5. Courts have the discretion of imposing: (a) imprisonment only; (b) fine only; OR (c) both. It is entirely possible that only a fine, without imprisonment, is imposed.

  • Bloody Hell

    here’s the thing. Banks from Dubai and other GCC countries have allocated funds for these cases, for people who ran away from their loans and financial obligations. The sad part is, they will not stop even we’re here in the philippines. Banks in Dubai will wait for one year at least before they chase you in our own country. Then, they will hire local lawyers here to chase you, and these lawyers are not cheap ones, and they are not just “collections agents.” Emirates Bank and HSBC hire legal services of R.V. Domingo Law Firm (you can google this), and this is high end law firm in our country, similar to ACCRA Law Office. Remember that when you applied for a credit card and personal loans in Dubai, Qatar, GCC Countries, you were asked to sign a blank cheque? The banks already issued that blank cheque and it bounced already because there are no funds to get you covered. Now, these banks are now legally covered to chase you anywhere in the world. The anti-bounce cheque law (different countries have different terms on this case, nevertheless, the concept is the same, the debtor issued a cheque and it bounced back.) is an international law and recognised in all countries. Once the local law firm here in the Philippines started to contact you, they will count 3 to 6 months from the day they receive the job order from the GCC bank to chase you. After 3 to 6 months, if the local law firm here fails to contact you, they will file the case in any metropolitan trial court in the city, and will charge you for the Batas Pambansa 22, or the Anti-Bouncing Cheque Law. This law can be classified as Criminal if proven that the plaintiff (you) has a motive at the initial application of the loan/credit card to run away. When pleadings began at any RTC and with your absence, your civil case will now be filed into motion to be a criminal case. Once it becomes a criminal case, the local law firm will now forward your case to DOJ (dept of justice) to issue a Watchlist Order to prevent you from exiting the country. Watchlist order lasts up to 60 days from the date it was filed and can only be extended once to an additional 60 days. you should not leave the country within these times, else, you will be caught at the airport, take you to prison and you can later bail out based on the amount of the plaintiff’s acquired loan and outstanding credit card unpaid payments. After the 120 days watchlist order filed against you, the DOJ will move the case to HDO or hold departure order where in you will be classified as “WANTED” at the airport. you can check further info at: http://www.doj.gov.ph/files/hold%20departure.pdf

    Your names will not be included at the NBI because NBI does not take any cases that involve money, even estafa. The mandate of NBI as per Malacanang order, series of 2000, is to take criminal cases, like, estafa that includes homicide, murder, etc, then you will be hunted down by the NBI.

    What’s the next thing to do? If you have properties under your name, don’t ever let the local law firms know that, because that will be included in their case file against you and will forward the information to the RTC and the law firm will request to liquidate your properties, and since you have a pending case on trial, the anti-bouncing cheque law, you will lose and the law firm will take your properties.

    There are really no legal ways to escape a case filed against you under th B.P. 22. It’s either you settle it, run away from it, or leave the country as long as your name is not yet on the HDO or WLO.

    • Poky mon

      maybe bloody hell is a collector :)))))))))….bka tauhan sya ng MILKISH hahahaha  :)

  • LR

    Hi Guys,
    My wife had almost same situation,she has unpaid credit card debt in dubai. we are in the Philippines right now and we were staying almost 3 months here, and we decided to be married recently.
    My question is if they can still trace my wife even if she already changed her surname?

  • ahm1976

    guys,. I have the same situation :( . I’m now in Egypt and the collectors called me 4 times on my mobile ( don’t know how they got my mobile number ) ., they intimidate me to present the CHQs to the Egyptian court..
    now I have Salary transfer bank account. My question now is. can they get any INFO about me through that bank ??? as im not living anymore in the same address which Dubi banks have it,.

  • Daphne

    Dear CK and Joy,

    It is quite difficult for the bank to file a case against you in Philippines as there is no strong grounds as you got the money or the transaction happened from here in Dubai Bank. The collectors assigned in Phils are just there to harass you, scare you and torture your brains out so like this you will pay.

    As far as am concerned they can not give you as well travel ban. And if so they insist tell them how in the world you can pay the monthly installment without working abroad??? In talking to this people you need to be diplomatic too sometimes it helps. If the property is written under your name yes they can try to get that from you. As well while you are facing this problem live in a low profile lifestyle yes no travelling first to outside country even Asia.

    Well till here and hope were able to help you and give an insightful info.

  • CK

    Hi Guys,

    I hope you could help me. I know its really bad for a person to have a bad credit. Especially for other countries. Guys I hope you could understand me and help me with the situation.

    I went to Dubai 1 1/2 years ago to apply for a Job. My mom told me that its been 2 years that she haven’t paid our monthly amortization. I was scared because we might loose our house. Our house that I grew up with. The dream house that my mom and my dad invested their whole lives. I tried to get a personal loan with one of the banks in Dubai. I almost go a huge lump of money to be able to pay for the whole amortization of our house with some extras. I paid my debt in all of my credit cards and all of my personal loans here in the Philippines.

    Here is the sad part.

    I was almost terminated because of the recession which is currently happening in Dubai. They gave me 30 days to look for a job but its hopeless in these times. I went back home here in the Philippines. I left my personal loan and some credit card debts unpaid in UAE. I never expected this would happened to me. I never intentionally want to have a bad credit or leave my obligations there. Due to the fact that I can no longer pay my monthly dues. I left Dubai silently and resigned immediately and never to return.

    I left Dubai last July and started my new life again here in the Philippines. Working again here earning enough for my family to eat 3 times a day and able to send off my brother to college.

    After nine months of worry free, an agency collector which is an outsource of the bank from Dubai and came to our house. They are looking for me regarding the unsettled debt and personal loan in Dubai. Me and my mom tried to negotiate with them however we really cant pay the minimum payment. I am willing to pay in small amounts just to let them know that I have a clean intension to pay my dues. However, I really don’t have the money to pay 15,000AED that is x13 in pesos. That is only for the minimum. If i don’t paid that amount, they will file a case and they said, they will file a travel ban for me if I go out of the country. I really don’t have the means to pay for it. I wanted to pay for my debts however, I cannot because my salary here in the Philippines is 18K PHP per month. If I don’t leave the country, how will I pay for it. Will I just play the lotto and wish for my luck?

    Now here are my questions:

    If I cant pay my debts?

    Am I really ban to go out of the country or is it just UAE or GCC(Gulf Counties)?
    Will I have a permanent records on my NBI?
    Will there be an international law that will apply in Philippine Law that bank can sue me here in the Philippines?
    Will the bank would be able to repossess my house since this is the only property that I have.
    Will I go to jail?
    Will I be terminate in my current job if they knew I have this case?
    Is this really a criminal case?
    Am I really stuck here in the Philippines and I cannot go out of the country for work?
    Will my credit status here in the Philippines gets affected?
    Is there any hope for me?

    To tell you guys honestly. I think I’m the youngest person here in the Philippines who has a debt to another country for 1.8 million Pesos and I’m just 25 years old.

    Hope you could help me guys. I do really need your advise.

    Thank you so much and God bless!

    • Ernie

      Hi CK as far as i know a debt is considered as a civil case. only a criminal case can cause you to be ban for going outside the country..

      • ernie

        Hi CK its me Ernie, i had put a link here http://failuretopaycreditcard.blogspot.com/ just try to read on it and it will give you a lot of insights on dealing with current situation that you may have… I am also having the same situation as you have right now.. i left Dubai Last 2009 with an unpaid debt. Someone from Belkish International sent me an email to settle my account to the bank.

      • rs

        ernie,

        i have same situations with you there is also one guy from Bilkish whose kept on sending me regarding my bank settlement thru my facebook and friendster…what your did?? did you bother to reply with them…sent reply pls..

    • grace

      hello CK, my heart goes out t you as we suffered the same fate. At least you managed to secure a job over here. I,myself are being harrassed as well, thank God only via email. No calls, no visits and I saved myself from humuliation in the neighborhood as well as my parents from taking its burden. Anyhow, I’ll pray for you and to the rest of us having the same fate. The Lord is our shield, our protector..read Psalm 23 and Psalm 91.
      God Bless…we’ll get through this.

    • Atty Vj

      Dear CK,

      You may be banned from going out of the country if the Bank actually files a collection case against you before our civil courts in the Philippines and is able to get a hold departure order against you.

      Only criminal cases are reflected on NBI records.  Civil cases are not.  The bank will not be able to file a criminal case against you because non-payment of debt is not a crime under our criminal laws.  You will only be held civilly liable.

      If the bank is able to establish a standing to sue you before Philippine courts, then they may attach your house.  However, if the house is under your parent’s name, then such property may not be attached.

      Regarding termination from work, I have yet to see your company manual, hence I cannot comment on that.  But concealment of a civil case against you or the fact of having a civil case against you alone may be a ground for termination.

      If you have any further queries, do not hesitate to let me know.  You can reach me at [email protected]

      Yours truly,

      Atty. Veej

  • http://getoutofdebt.org/7538/im-a-filipino-in-dubai-and-scared-i-will-have-to-leave-the-country-to-avoid-jail-hope joy

    Hi,

    I have almost the same case as yours. I am currently in Philippines and dont have plans in coming back to Dubai or any GCC countries since I owe a huge amount, AED 280,000 (personal loans and credit cards from different banks). I am afraid that they might file a case against me here in Philippines since I have a huge amount not been paid.

    Can I still travel within Asia?

    Please advise.

    Joy

    • berry

      hi joy!are u in the philippines right now? its quite a big money.. 280K AED. I was in Dubai also back then.. i want to know if bank are starting bugging you there in Phils? Can I get your contact details, such as email ad? I want to know what might happen..

      thanks in advance!

      • Phil Manuel

        Hi Berry,

        My situation is the same with Joy. I left with large amount of pending liablities with the same amount.  I left UAE silenty on vacation but my visa was not cancelled. It’s almost 2 years now since I left.  The bank keeps calling my mother during the first 4 months but now, they never called up again.  I even changed my contact number and never put my real name in social networks site.

        Am planning now to work overseas again may in tow years from now or if the situation in Libya will be alright.  Is there’s no probs for me entering on that country even if it’s an arab country?

        Good thing I have a stable work now but still the remuneration is not as good as before..

        Phil Manuel

    • grace

      Hi Joy,
      Pray hard and you’ll get through this..

  • Daphne

    Dear Hope,

    Escaping is the short cut in solving your problem. The reason I write here because I wanna inform you of other things that may help you see what might and could happen if so you didn’t pay regularly. First you can make arrangement with the bank on a set payment plan. If this will work it will help regards your bank record. If that won’t work and worst to come yes they will file complaint to the police regards bounced cheque and you will be taken for custody for a day (if you have a friend who can guarantee you by giving their passport to the police then you can get out of jail and deal to solve the matter but you have only one month to do that so be prepared) if not then the next morning you will be asked to face a prosecutor in court and their you will asked if you intend not to pay of course you will answer no and you will then be asked are you willing to pay and you should answer yes and the court will give you the time table to settle the amount and note that the payment plan they will give is convenient for you. For me better to face your problem than running away from it. Still working in the Emirates is far better than any other country in the world.

    Goodluck!

  • jhe

    Hi, i am in the same situation but I just want to ask if they can sue my husband who is currently in dubai for my unpaid credit card and loans? all of my debts are named after me and he did not sign any papers during the application. I am currently out of dubai now. please help me. thanks

  • jason

    dear hope,

    marielle is right. i, too have the same situation as yours and marielle. leave silently. if your passport is with your epmployer…. make an emergency leave…so that they will give your passport. do not even tell other filipinos there your plans instead plan on your own. since fellow filipinos also try to leak whatever plans we have. crab mentality per se. go on. do not take it seriously. leave the soonest time possible. good luck

  • marielle ayessa

    Dear Hope,

    dont worry so much about your debts, stressed makes yourself ill, and if your ill the banks can’t help you. dont listen too much to them because its part of their job to be arrogant to the debtors sometimes. im also a banker in dubai before and i knew the policy of all banks.

    i am also a filipino and left dubai last march with unpaid debts (personal loans and credit card) i left my job to join my husband in europe.

    i did not pay anymore my debts until now because i had no work at the moment and i am pregnant. my sister in philippines received some calls from colletion officers from dubai but just few times. and my references in dubai as well.

    i would suggest you to go back to our home country if you really not able to pay anymore your debts because of your financial status at the moment caused of this resession.

    because the bank will not stop bothering you until you are in dubai and do not inform the bank the you will leave uae otherwise they will hold you in the immigration. just leave silently.

    dont be afraid if they will gonna sue you in philippines, because they will not. banks will not spend money to individuals just to sue in other countries or in their home country because its not worthy for them and they can’t anything in return, its just additional losses for them.

    if you received any calls from the banks just ignore it and they will stop bothering you after a month and they will just declared your debts as a bad debts and they can recover that amount to the insurance company. remember that not only you or me has this kind of situation, thousands of people in dubai has the same situations and others are more worst.

    take it easy and dont stressed yourself, its not intentionally that you will escape your responsibility but due to the economic crisis you cant do your obligation. and bank will not understand or accept your explanation, instead they will more force you to pay your dues.

    take care and god bless you

    kind regards,
    marielle

    • http://Website Chloe

      i think your idea won’t help now. My brother is in Dubai now and can’t leave the place because of his bank loan. He can’t escape because his name is already in the travel ban list in the airport.

    • nazead

      hi, I left UAE for more than a year now with an unpaid loan/credit cards. the loan monthly payment was deducted automatically from my salary, except for the credit cards which I have to pay myself directly to the bank or somewhere else, so there was no cheque issued. by the way, someone from the bank managed to find me in facebook and tells me that my case had been forwarded to the authorities and that I will have a travel ban unless I pay them back..I now live in europe and thinking of going home to philippines, is there a possibility that I can get arrested or they can hold me in the airport immigration due to my unpaid debts in UAE?

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