Introduction

Fed up with MBD Attorney's constant harassment at your cost? Finding it hard to get any feedback from them? Are you constantly frustrated with the arrogant behaviour of their so called 'consultants?' Are you still waiting for a breakdown of the 'legal fees' that are charged, or even an indication of the interest rate charged?If you said yes to any of these questions above, or any such related issues - you have come to the right place.

For those not acquainted with MBD Attorneys - here is a quick update:MBD Attorneys is a law firm that seemingly specialises in debt collecting. They also buy debtors books from large corporate companies and then follow up on the outstanding debts on their own behalf. Kind of reminds one of a certain species of large bird, doesn't it? Picking over the leftover bones of other, more able hunters...

It seems that MBD Attorneys have no real interest in actually recovering the outstanding debts. Instead they let it simmer a while to gain interest (at an undeclared interest rate) before initiating step two, the harassment. After a first call out of the blue (remember these are usually old debts that have been disputed by the client) the fun starts. Regardless of your level of cooperation you will receive calls and sms's on a constant basis - office hours, after hours, weekends (right after or during Saturday afternoon Rugby is a favourite) any time reminding you of the payment due, or else they will 'proceed with legal action.'

What they conveniently forget to tell you is that you get billed for each and every sms or phone call made, regardless if you pay the agreed monthly installment or not. Again, it is not for us mere mortals to know how much we are being charged as the 'consultants' are 'unable to send detailed accounts'

The best you will get looks something like this:

Initial amount owed: R1100-00
Interest on amount: R1100-00
Legal Fees: R5700-00
Payments: R4000-00
Total outstanding: R3900-00

Any attempt to get more specified info will most certainly result in failure, coupled with more phone calls and sms's of a threatening nature.

From where I stand it looks like they are 'farming' with old debt - I shall call it Debt Farming. A lot of the debtors are already in this position because they cannot afford to pay the debts due to some or other financial challenge. By increasing the debt amount drastically, MBD actually ensures that this debtor will never, or with great difficulty be able to repay the debt. The can often afford a monthly payment, to keep their name clean. Good one for MBD - they now have thousands slaves for life... Is this how one practices law? I wonder when is the last time they handled a real legal case - being the great law firm an' all?

Evidence of this is the fact that no one ever seems to receive (as far as I have been able to detect) a subpoena or any other direct action to actually recover the debt. In my case I have been waiting 7 (yes, seven) years for my day in court to fight this, but how do you fight a predator that stays in hiding? I can only deduce from this that it is actually in MBD's interest to raise the amount owed, instead of really trying to recover the original outstanding debt. Who will want to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs if you can keep it alive for ever?

I am also one of the victims of this unscrupulous company with it's rapacious attitude and systems and have decided to strike back at them. After all, we are still consumers and what these guys are doing is unacceptable. I call on everyone with an MBD story to tell, to share it with us here. Just mail it, and I will publish it (names and contact details will be treated as confidential.) The data that we receive will help us to deliver a comprehensive report regarding this company to the SA Legal Council, SA Debt Collectors Association, Carte Blanche and all journalists or other interested parties that we are able to contact.

MBD No More!!!

PS. (To get a good idea of how widespread this problem is, visit Hello Peter and search 'mbd attorneys' - you'll be terrified by the tales of woe to be read there...)

The 'Fat Cat' joins the fray!

Another letter - somebody actually got through to the main partner - Frans Basson:

'Great job.... nice to know I am not alone.

I also have a tale of woe. I eventually gave up and and paid them money that was not legally owing (the debt that prescribed as it was older than 3 years) just to get them off my back... but of course that did not work: the calls and SMSs continue. Nor did explaining till I was blue in the face.

Eventually I tracked down the email address of Frans Basson and sent him multiple copies of my complaint (in which I also said I would approach the National Credit Regulator if the matter was not resolved). His response: to threaten me with criminal prosectution!!!!!!

When I challenged him and told him I had an LLB he backed down. Now my complaint is with Anzel, the "Customer Care Department Manager". (Talk about a contradiction in terms... - MBD Victim)

I'll let you know what happens. And keep me posted on your battle! It's one thing to be an unscrupulous debt farm, but the SA public needs to know that such consumer giants as Woolies, Foschini and MTN are using these people. Unbelievable.'

(Name and details withheld)

Note by MBD Victim:
(Threatening you with criminal prosecution - what a joke! I have been demanding that they take me to court for years and they are either refusing to, or are unable to execute even such a simple action... Hahahaha Mr. Basson - nice try but no cigar!)