06/15/2024 – 15:00
Brazil today has almost 80% of families in debt. According to the latest Consumer Debt Survey (Peic), in May, from the CNC (National Confederation of Commerce and Tourism), 78.8% of families declared that they had debts, with 28.6% saying they were indebted and 12% declaring that they were indebted. will not be able to pay these debts.
Serasa counts 72 million Brazilians in default, which corresponds to 43% of the country’s adult population.
The advice from experts is that any and all debts incurred must be paid. “It’s always good to have healthy financial relationships”, says Ana Clara Aguiar, specialist in Financial Education at Serasa.
And most importantly, the debt does not expire, or ‘lapse’, after five years. It exists until it is paid off. Meanwhile, interest and fines continue to accrue.
Many people believe that the debt ceases to exist after five years because they misinterpret the law that determines a period of up to five years for creditors to collect the debt in court. After this period, the charge can be made, but extrajudicially, and the debtor’s CPF must be removed from the negative list of credit bureaus such as Serasa, Boa Vista, SPC Brasil and Quod.
“This misinterpretation of the five years is that it is only possible to collect a debt legally for up to five years. As long as it doesn’t pay, for however long it takes, it continues to exist. There is no such thing as ‘expiring’”, explains Cintia Senna, specialist in Financial Education.
Therefore, Cintia reminds us, “being negative is different from being in debt”, since the CPF or name may not even appear in the credit restriction register – the popular ‘dirty name’ – but that person continues to be a debtor.
Ana Clara highlights that it is not a good strategy to count on the end of the collection period and the name on the debtors list and not honor these credit commitments assumed. “The market speaks. And companies, whether in the financial sector or retail, have information whether that consumer is in debt with them, so it will be a restriction on new debt.”
Serasa also remembers that the consumer’s credit profile is impacted not only by the negative list, but by other factors, such as timely payment and history of financial behavior.
What is debt
Any type of credit or financing acquired is considered debt. A purchase in installments on a credit card, made using a credit card or bank slip, or even financing a property or vehicle are considered debts.
When the credit obtained is not paid, even if it is an installment, the CPF responsible for that credit contract – whether with the credit card or with the store – is considered in default. By law, from one day onwards it is possible to deny the debtor’s CPF, but, in general, companies have a grace period.
After the creditor registers the CPF with a credit bureau – such as Serasa, Boa Vista – it is considered negative, that is, the name/CPF has restrictions for new credits.
After paying a debt, the CPF must be removed from the ‘denied’ list within five working days.
Feirão Limpa Nome
Serasa frequently promotes Feirão Limpa Nome for debtors to negotiate and pay off their outstanding debts. Financial companies, retailers and service providers such as water and electricity companies are among the companies willing to negotiate.
To participate, simply access the site, search for the debt and simulate an agreement. In some cases, the debt can have discounts of up to 90%.
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