Nearly all Dutch debt collectors break law, inspectorate warns

Almost 18 months after stricter rules came into effect, nearly all Dutch debt collection agencies fail to comply, the Inspectorate for Justice and Security warns. The Quality of Debt Collection Services Act, or Wet kwaliteit incassodienstverlening, took effect April 1, 2024. It requires agencies to meet quality standards and register officially.

Compliance remains extremely low. Chief Inspector Hans Faber told Radar that only two of 30 agencies visited meet legal standards. “That is a concern. Especially the registration requirement remains far behind. That is worrisome,” he said.

Illegal practices reportedly continue. People still receive late-night and Sunday calls pressuring them to pay debts. “These are things that really should no longer happen, yet they still do,” Faber said.

Six months after the law’s introduction, inspections of 11 agencies showed none were compliant. “A year later, there has been little improvement,” Faber said. The sector has also grown.

“At the start of the law, it was thought there would be about 500 companies. We now estimate there are 2,500—a fivefold increase,” Faber added. Since January, the Inspectorate has issued one fine and two enforcement orders, and plans to intensify oversight.