Heavy fines totaling €670.000 were imposed on two debt collection companies by the Ministry of Development.

Specifically, "doValue Greece," was fined €435,000 for repeated disturbances, informing debtors about the existence of overdue debts that had been settled, and for unfair practices, demonstrating offensive behavior and using blatantly offensive expressions. Additionally, Cepal Hellas faces a fine of €235,000 for repeated disturbances of the debtor.

"The companies must respect citizens and comply with the legislation regulating their operation," stated Minister Kostas Skrekas.

The announcement from the Ministry of Development regarding the fines:

Two administrative fines totaling €670,000 were imposed on two Debt Management Companies by the Ministry of Development in implementation of Article 13a of Law 2251/1994. Specifically:

doValue Greece – Anonymous Company of Debt Management from Loans and Credits (A.E.D.A.D.P.): The General Directorate of Market and Consumer Protection of the General Secretariat of Commerce of the Ministry of Development imposed an administrative fine totaling €435,000 on the company because:

a) It engaged in repeated disturbances, informing debtors about the existence of overdue debts that had been settled without the required confirmation from the company (fine of €385,000).

b) It engaged in unfair practices, demonstrating offensive behavior using blatantly offensive expressions against the debtor during the notification of overdue debts (fine of €55,000).

Cepal Hellas – Anonymous Company of Debt Management from Loans and Credits (A.E.D.A.D.P.): The General Directorate of Market and Consumer Protection of the General Secretariat of Commerce of the Ministry of Development imposed an administrative fine totaling €235,000 on the company because:

a) It engaged in repeated disturbances of the debtor, informing them about the existence of overdue debts without the required confirmation from the company, and in actions of forced execution with the issuance of a payment order against the debtor, despite the fact that the debt had been settled based on a judicial decision under Law 3869/2010 and was faithfully observed (fine of €185,000).

b) It assigned orders to Debt Information Companies to inform debtors about their overdue debts, which had been subjected to judicial settlement and were faithfully observed (fine of €50,000).

Consumers can be informed about consumer protection issues by calling the hotline 1520 and file complaints for violations of consumer legislation at the electronic address https://kataggelies.mindev.gov.gr/.

Minister of Development, Kostas Skrekas, made the following statement:

"The violation of legislation and the unacceptable behavior by debt collection companies are not acceptable. Companies must respect citizens and comply with the legislation that regulates their operation. The Ministry of Development will continue intensive inspections."