Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rednomad]

the OSAP police are on my tail....

who's got experience/info dealing with a collection agency from abroad.

i'm definitely NOT interested in advice on when or even if i'll pay up, as that'll be decided by me, obviously. i'm just looking for info on their reach, problems, solutions, and/or consequences others have faced.

also note - not that i'm looking to avoid paying, but consider - i don't plan on returning to live or work in canada.

cheers!

[GoldMember]

Need more information. Do you have any assets back home? If so, they obtain a court order, and those assets can be seized. This of course depends on the assets. A $200 car would probably be safe, personal items such as clothes etc are safe.
In Korea they can't touch you. You are out of jurisdiction.
These guys usually are overworked so if getting you is to difficult they'll move onto easier targets.
For more info look for some books written by an Australian guy (now deceased) called Peter Clyne. His books are old, he was a lawyer and a notorious, if somewhat respected debt dodger.

[ttompatz]

[contrarian]

If you want a Canadian Bank Account that the collecters can't get to (I don't know how it works for Americans) open an account in Canada as a non resident and the account has no SIN number to trace it to you.

[rednomad]

nope, no assets
the only thing i have in canada is an account used to pay off a bank student line of credit each month.

[mindmetoo]

How much do you owe? How did they find you in Korea? Did they call your home and your mother fwd them the info? Google on credit collector and rights and canada. You usually have the right to say "I understand the claims against me, I'm simply not going to pay (I will pay this amount). Therefore, cease and desist making further contact." They will then take whatever legal action is necessary.

[wings]

OSAP is usually happy to work something out with you where you pay like 10 bucks a month to show that you are a nice person and you understand that you owe them money. As long as you make those payments they will get off your back, and you won't hurt your credit rating.

[DaeguKid]

[mercury]

Get their number and call them collect. When they call you just tell them about your day. Keep them on the phone as long as you can. Give your Korean students the phone and let them practice their English for free during class while you listen. Give your Korean students their phone number and have them ask the collector certain questions to see if they are understood. Make it a mid-term test. Have each student write a list of questions about the loan and see if the collector understood. If the collector is a woman, write her name on a Korean website and say WANTED, KBOYFRIEND, CALL _________ NIGHT OR DAY. I HAVE SMALL FACE AND LOVE YOU LONG TIME.


If it is a dude write the same same message, I am sure there are some gay dudes looking for some western guy with a small face.

Have fun, and soon they will never call you again.

[CentralCali]

The way it works in the US if you owe the government money is that they can attach your assets in the US, to include whatever tax refunds you may be entitled to.

Another nifty trick available to the government is to put a hold on your passport. That means that when your current passport expires and you still haven't made payment arrangements with the government, you're out of luck.

The "advice" to harass bill collectors calling you is not good advice. At least in the US, bill collectors are governed by strict laws. If the debt is legitimate (i.e., you actually do owe the money), harassing the collector can convince his agency that the best course of action is merely to seek a legal judgment and forego the percentage of the payment he would otherwise receive. That can cause a lien to be placed on any and all property you have in the US. Don't listen to those "cure your credit record" sites!. They are a rip-off and if you don't pay them, guess who they turn to in order to get their money from you.

[djsmnc]

Man, you should be more responsible.

Did you come to Korea from the ghetto?

[soju pizza]

[sojourner1]

Oh man, that's real serious if they are seeking you in Korea from knowing that your passport is tracked to Korea. If you can't pay or are in a low income situation or know you need the money you are saving, isn't there a deferment on those student loans? I dunno, I am an American not paying, but keeping my account current for I know I need this measly $10,000 saved in one hard unpleasant year of teaching in Korea to repatriate and a have a shot making a career over there. You have to have a car to put that degree to good use. Pay later, put your early year funds to good use of allowing you to get some place in life without ignoring the student loan. You must keep them at bay. Don't they charge $0 if your income falls below poverty, but capitalize interest? Mine is $0 payment since my domestic income is very low. It can be argued that I should be paying since I have disposable income, but I need those savings to repatriate and help propel me to a good paying job at home.

I know one Canadian teacher who had the same thing happen and he is staying in Korea longer than expect or desired to make the money to pay it off.


How much this sucks. Wouldn't you just love to have the money to pay it off and then do something like live in lovely Europe? I know I would, but it just isn't so as much as I wish to the stars it were so that I had money.

If not in the position to pay, then file for a deferment or forbearance rather than letting it go into default. Don't ignore.

[eirrehs]

my question is, will they take your pension return if u file a claim?

[shaunew]

I just got osap for my MBA, 30k but I plan on paying it off. BUT I owe 500 bucks on my credit card back home, which I thought my wife paid off before coming over. But will pay that back. I don't think I would want osap aka Ontario government after me. Wish you the best.