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News

M’sian Gets Allegedly Harassed by ‘Ah Longs’ with Calls Due to Delayed SPayLater Payments

Alicia Corbett
05/08/2024
08:29 MYT
The ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ short-term installment loan is something that has increasingly gained popularity amongst Malaysians. This allows users to buy items first and settle their loans later, and it is approved easily, unlike bank loans. Shopee’s SPayLater is one such service for those using the online shopping platform.
However, X user @ayividinihsrad, has complained that their phone number was allegedly shared with multiple debt collectors and ‘Ah Longs’ when they delayed their payment.
Ayivi wrote, “SPaylater is so f---ed up because when I was struggling with unemployment, I delayed my payment by a few days, and they harassed me like crazy…It was absolute hell.” She also explained that she knew that they were debt collectors as TrueCaller (an app with Caller ID) revealed their IDs.
She said that she always made her payments early. “But the one time I was struggling to make ends meet due to unemployment and new health issues, they harassed me every day. I would receive calls from multiple numbers 9-12 times a day. I made sure to settle fully to make them shut up.” “NEVER AGAIN”, she proclaimed.
The user even said that there had been a significant increase in scam calls since SPayLater spread her number to multiple debt collectors. How annoying and stressful!
When another user slammed them saying, “You’re quick to take a loan but lazy to pay, do you expect them to serve you coffee when they’re asking for repayment?” However, Ayivi retorted, “Did you even read? I paid earlier than their due date every month for nearly two years. I lost my job due to my health issues and it was very difficult for me to get another job so I barely had any money with me towards the last two months of instalments.”
She ended by saying, “If banks and even grab PayLater can request collection without harassing and spamming people like this, then SPayLater has no excuse. Zero consideration, especially for people with a good pay history…Treat people like human beings, lah. It’s not difficult.”
Another user shared their harrowing story, saying that they allegedly had a relative who was ill and the debt collector showed up to their house. Turns out that they had a debt of over RM5K. Their child had to pawn their necklaces to settle the bill. After a month, that relative passed away, so it was fortunate that they managed to settle the bill before that, as no one would’ve known about the debt otherwise.
You will also be blocked if you miss one month’s payment, even if you have been paying consistently for several years, which was what one of our team members encountered. To reactivate the account, you have to pay the outstanding amount and a late fee of RM100.
Have you ever encountered such an issue with SPayLater?
Featured Image Credit: X, 123RF
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