Tuesday March 26, 2013
Housewife stuck with debts from credit cards she does not own
Left in the lurch: Chan showing the police reports she lodged during the press conference as Chor looks on.
ALOR SETAR: A 34-year-old housewife’s venture into business has turned awry after she was asked to settle a RM9,000 debt from credit cards she does not own.
Chan Ai Khim alleged that she had been duped by a 36-year-old man, who claimed to be an agent that could help her secure a bank loan for a small business selling fashion accessories.
“I met him in 2010 through a friend. He claimed that he could help me obtain a bank loan of up to RM100,000, so I gave him photocopies of my identity card, income tax statement and business registration certificate.
“When I asked him about my loan application status months later, he assured me that it would be done. On March 5, I received a lawyer’s letter and bank statements stating that I owed them money,” she said at a press conference organised by Alor Setar MCA in Jalan Pegawai on Sunday.
The man’s outlet in Plaza Tunku Yaacob Complex had also closed down, said Chan.
“I could no longer get in touch with him. I lodged a police report on March 21,” she said.
MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung said he had received many complaints on such similar cases.
“Banks should impose tighter rules for credit card applications. I will ask her (Chan) to write an official letter to the relevant banks explaining the situation,” he said.
