OJK: Debt Collector Behavior Must Be The Responsibility Of Financial Services Business Actors

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Financial Services Authority (OJK) stated that the behavior of debt collectors or debt collectors must be the responsibility of financial service business actors (PUJK) who employ them.

The statement was made by the Chief Executive of the Behavior Supervisory of Financial, Educated, and Protection Business Actors of OJK Consumers Friderica Widyasari Dewi in Jakarta, Monday, February 27, responding to the case of a debt collector' who forced to take a vehicle belonging to a celebrity and shouted at the police.

"In consumer protection, of course, the issue of behavior from the "debt collector", again the behavior of the market conductor, is the responsibility of the PUJK itself," Friderica said at an online press conference of the OJK Board of Commissioners Meeting, February Edition, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, February 28.

According to Friderica, OJK has regulated the provisions for collection activities for consumers in OJK Regulation (POJK) Number 6 of 2022 concerning Consumer and Community Protection, especially in Articles 7 and 8.

"PUJK is responsible for consumer losses by directors, employees, and third parties representing the interests of PUJK," Friderica said referring to the article in the POJK.

He said the public can also report to the OJK regarding PUJK who employ 'debt collectors' who collect debts by violating legal provisions, let alone using violence.

In line with that, the public can also report the debt collectors to the police if they accept unpleasant acts such as forcing, seizing, and others that violate the applicable regulations.

However, Friderica appealed to the public to continue to fulfill their obligations to PUJK if they had approved a cooperation agreement in any form, including borrowing funds.

"But as we said, OJK will look objectively, we also remind consumers not only to understand their rights, but also their obligations, because this does not only stop one case, because consumers also have a credit record, (if they do not fulfill their obligations), in the future it will also be difficult," he said.

Previously, the Metro Jaya Police Chief Inspector General Muhammad Fadil Imran was furious at the arbitrary actions of debt collectors such as shouting and cursing at his members while carrying out their duties in Jakarta.

"Blood boils, when I see members being scolded. There is no longer a place, thugs in Jakarta," Fadil said in his personal Instagram video upload, in Jakarta, as seen in Jakarta, Wednesday.

Fadil also asked his staff to take firm action so that in the future, it can be ascertained that no one will use violence in their work.