I would appreciate if my issue is raised with First Gulf Bank (FGB), as they have not responded yet. How can the bank force someone to be a guarantor against one’s will, especially when another guarantor has already been presented? Why did the collections department not encourage me to clear my bills, instead of advising me to keep paying monthly, when I wanted to have a clean slate? Now that the funds have been diverted to other investments, I am still paying the Equated Monthly Instalments (EMI) regularly.

Why did the collections department employee mention it was good that the guarantor was out of the country, so that even if the cheque is produced, there would be no problem? She was least bothered about one’s personal reputation and well-being, as she has failed to realise that the person may come back to Dubai on visit, wherein he may fall into trouble at the entry point. Lastly, if they were not going to permit a change of sponsor, why did they interview the new guarantor and take required documents from him?

From Ms Ushnata Gurung, Sharjah

The management of FGB responds:

FGB is grateful for all customer feedback to which we give careful consideration as we strive to consistently deliver the highest standards of service. We have been in contact with Ms Gurung and explained that as she provided an ‘irrevocable guarantee’, FGB cannot proceed with changing the customer’s guarantor until the outstanding balance of her credit card has been fully cleared.

Ms Gurung responds:

The bank has not been in contact with me for the past month. If it was an ‘irrevocable guarantee’, then why did they interview the new guarantor and take all required documents from him?

As mentioned earlier, the collections department employee influenced me to pay my EMI, and upon clearing all my outstanding dues, the new guarantor was asked to sign all the necessary documents to complete procedures for the changing of guarantor.

FGB responds:

FGB is grateful for all customer feedback, to which we give careful consideration, as we strive to consistently deliver the highest standards of service. The bank has been in contact with Ms Gurung, and the matter has been resolved.

(Process initiation: March 23. Response from organisation: March 25. Process completion: April 15.)

Editor’s note: Do you have similar issues that you would like to raise with us? You can write to us at readers@gulfnews.com.