DEBT collectors - there's no way of avoiding them, as these Singaporeans found out the hard way.
Many felt the heat especially in this downturn, as these collectors turned up at their homes and offices at all hours.
Debtor: Ms M. Ail, a secretary, 37, owes $30,000 to five banks.
Experience: Ms Ail had been harassed by debt collectors at her home numerous times. She said there was one time when she was away at work and her maid had to deal with the situation.
It was around 9pm, and she said her three children had already gone to bed when the debt collectors knocked at their door.
When her maid said she was not in, the debt collectors replied: "I know she is in, ask her to come out."
Her kids aged two, seven and nine, were woken up by the commotion and apparently quite shaken by the incident.
"It was terrible, when I’m not at home, they harass the maid," she said.
Debtor: Male, 45, married with two children. Owes about $50,000 to banks due to failed restaurant business.
Experience: He said he gets phone calls every other day which he finds "sickening". Also debt collectors call past 8pm and even on weekends.
He said: "It would be nice if they left me alone on weekends. I want to return the money. Just give me some time."
Complaining about banks, he said that even after he had paid up for the month, he receives computer-generated letters the next day claiming he has not paid.
Debtor: Female, manager in her 50s. Owes money (would not say how much) to six banks.
Experience: She continuously gets phone calls, sometimes, one in the morning and another in the afternoon from the same organisation.
After restructuring her debt and working out a payment plan, she was still harassed.
She had agreed to pay $1,000 each month, to an institution, but after the first payment, she was called up and told that the sum was "not enough".
She said: "They are about the same as loan sharks. Just no physical violence."
As the saying goes, you can run, but you can never hide.
Read the full story in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.