Debt Stories: Email from the Court

Email from RTC?

One of the readers received this email. He admitted that he had an unpaid credit card debt that ballooned to 100k. The email goes this way.

Email Address Sender: occ_rtc.br3@yahoo.com

Regional Trial Court Branch 69 Bulwagan ng KatarunganCity Hall Complex Brgy San Nicholas Pasig

This is to inform you that your record is ready for execution for legal suits against you, for two counts of violation under article 2210 sum of money case and RA 8484 access device of regulation act 1998 for civil case under small claims. The case filed was review and paid by third party finance last 26th of October present year at Pasig regional Trial Court Branch 69 under Honorable Judge Bethany Punzalan V Conde the plaintiff submitted formal complaints primary sources of evidence that would be used as the primary petition for the issuance of summon notice once the formal complaint is filed. It will Will definitely reflect as pending case that would appear to your NBI and Police Clearance as well as to all financial institution/entities. We are giving you 48 hrs for your cooperation Upon receiving this email notice. Otherwise our mediation should recommend plaintiff to proceed case filing.

You may call this mobile number 09815445706 and request an appointment to our mediation head

NOTE: Once you're already informed pertaining to this legal matter and give your legal rights to fix before the court proceeding date, there's still no dismissal order that the plaintiff should have to submit, our coordination will be disregarded. The court notices subpoena will be sent on your permanent address as well as your employer to inform you as part of the rule of the court. Cooy of foregoing answer was served to plaintiff's counsel by registered mail due to time and distance constraints and for the lack of undersigned's who can serve the same person.

Atty S**** E****** L C*****
Legal Head Mediation
Roll no 549**
Page no 4**
Book no 3**
Series of 20**

Now, let's analyze the content of the email.

First is the sender's address. Ito yung una natin dapat tingnan. Is the sender's address legit? The email address is from a "yahoo" domain. This is contrary to practice of government agency, especially the Supreme Court to use the official address which is "@judiciary.gov.ph". Dito pa lang sablay na ang email. And if you do search, the official email address of Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 69 is metc2pas069@judiciary.gov.ph. 

Now, the content of the email. They have composed it in a way that the reader will be confused that its coming from a government agency. They used a fake email address to have this notion that it is an official communication from the court when in fact the body of the letter is telling you that "we are a mediation firm" and "we are filing a case against you in the court". In short, they are a Collections Agency. 

Now with regards to the case. 

Sum of Money case - This is a civil case. It won't appear on NBI or Police clearance. These clearances are designed to check if there is a pending criminal case against you.

RA 8484 - A criminal case can be filed against you; however, this is only if you have committed "FRAUD". Unless you are a fraudster then you apply for credit card, never paid once and run, you are not covered on this law.  You can read this article for more details: Debt Issues: R.A 8484 - Will I get imprisoned?

In short, a valid communication from the court comes in writing and delivered by the Sherrif. You will have a summon. These emails are not valid communication, and you must be wary in detecting if it is coming from Collections Agency or worse from Fraudster. It is always my advice to directly connect with the financial institution that you have debt.