Debt is a constant presence in our lives, often hiding stories of financial hardship and unforeseen challenges.
A recent viral TikTok video shed light on the experiences of one young woman who embarked on an unexpected career journey as a debt collector immediately after graduating.
Used mother’s name to own branded water filter behind her back
Syafiqa Humaira, the woman behind the viral TikTok video, shared her eye-opening encounter while working as a debt collector in Malaysia.
Her story shines a light on the surprising spending habits of some Malaysians, willing to go into debt for fancy water filters in their homes.
Syafiqa explained, “My experience working as a debt collector, or recovery officer allowed me to see firsthand those who failed to pay for their branded water filters. Beware.”
Her journey into this career path began when she was a fresh graduate, still searching for a job and struggling to find her footing.
“I received an offer from a debt collection agency and decided to take it. I wasn’t too picky about the job; the most important thing was to gain some experience,” she shared.
Mother had never even used the water filter
What Syafiqa discovered during her time as a debt collector was both surprising and disheartening.
“Many Malays do not fulfill their debt obligations. What’s even sadder is that they purchase these water filters and register them in their mothers’ names in remote villages. These mothers are often unaware of the debt, but her children are the one who uses the water filter,” she lamented.
One particularly heart-wrenching encounter involved an elderly woman in a remote village.
“When I contacted her, she informed me that her children no longer lived with her in the village. They hadn’t visited in a long time, and she had never even used the water filter,” Syafiqa recounted.
“The woman said she had no money at the moment but promised to pay what she could when she had the means.”
The emotional toll of chasing unpaid bills
Syafiqa’s emotional toll from these encounters was immense, and she admitted that she could only endure a week in the role of a debt collector.
She found it challenging to adopt the assertive demeanor required by her employer when dealing with debtors.
“After work, I would often cry to my husband. It was emotionally taxing, especially when dealing with the elderly.
We had key performance indicators (KPIs) and were constantly advised by our manager to be tough and firm. I couldn’t do it, so I quit after just one week,” she confessed.
Despite the allure of a good salary, Syafiqa ultimately realized that she wasn’t suited for the emotionally demanding job of debt collection.
She concluded her viral video by expressing gratitude for her current, more suitable employment.
“That’s a piece of my memory from working as a debt collector. Alhamdulillah, I have a better job now.”
The video quickly gained traction at the time of writing, receiving nearly 100,000 views and numerous comments from netizens, including former debt collectors.
One user expressed their frustration, saying, “I used to work as a debt collector, and it’s really annoying when customers always delay their payments, especially those who worked with the government. Having to remind them every month can be mentally exhausting.”
Another user chimed in with their experience, revealing, “I once worked as a debt collector, and even Malaysian artists find themselves in debt, often struggling to pay their phone bills. It’s taxing when they refuse to answer calls.”
A third individual recounted their own struggle, saying, “I had a stint as a debt collector, but I could only endure it for 3 months before I had to quit. The job took a toll on my mental health, especially when people refused to settle their own debts.”
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