In Taraz, a debt collection agency has been held administratively liable for using unregistered phone numbers in the WhatsApp messenger when communicating with debtors, reports infohub.kz.
The specialized court for administrative offenses in Taraz considered two cases against a limited liability partnership engaged in debt collection activities. The basis for the proceedings was a complaint filed by a female citizen with the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market, who alleged improper actions by the organization during debt collection.
During the inspection, it was established that agency employees corresponded with the complainant and a third party via WhatsApp using numbers not registered to the agency. This violates the requirements of the Law "On Debt Collection Activities," which specifies the permitted methods of interaction between collectors and debtors, their representatives, and third parties.
The partnership's guilt was confirmed by case materials, including protocols and witness statements. The agency's representative admitted guilt, expressed remorse, and petitioned for a reduction in the fine amount.
The court, taking into account the admission of guilt, remorse, and the absence of prior offenses, reduced the fines by 30 percent. As a result, a fine of 605,000 tenge was imposed in the first case, and 302,000 tenge in the second.
The court decisions have not yet entered into legal force.