Consumer regulator ACM takes action against two Commercial debt relief firms

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has taken action against two online providers of debt assistance. According to the regulator, the websites Schuldhulpverlening-Nederland.nl and Schuldsanering.help did not make it clear enough that they are offering a paid service, which has led to consumers thinking that it is a free service by the municipality.

This impression was reinforced by the fact that the websites used place names and debt assistance information from municipalities. The ACM spoke to both of the companies after they received reports about the misleading information last June.

“People with debts have a right to a free debt relief program via the municipality. Commercial providers who nevertheless target these people must clearly state that their offer is not free," Edwin van Houten, Director of Consumers at the ACM, said while explaining the violation.

The websites of Schuldhulpverlening-Nederland.nl are now offline, Schuldsanering.help has added clear indicators that it is a paid service.