Procon warns consumers to pay their bills.
Due to the postal workers' strike, which has lasted a month, and the bank workers' strike, which began today, the agency advises customers to pay their debts at ATMs, online, or at lottery outlets.
By Brazil Agency
Due to the bank workers' strike, which started today (27) across the country, Procon in Rio de Janeiro recommends that consumers try to pay their bills at ATMs, online or at lottery outlets, so that they are not harmed by the charging of interest.
According to Maria Rachel Pereira, legal consultant for the Rio de Janeiro state consumer protection agency (Procon), the agency advises customers to contact their creditors as soon as possible, such as stores, suppliers, credit card companies, and condominium associations, to find an alternative way to pay their bills. "Although the consumer is not to blame for all these strikes, at the post office and now at the banks, they are aware of the debt and the due date. So, the consumer really needs to try to find an alternative way [to make the payment]."
The consultant recalled that last week, the Brazilian Federation of Banks (Febraban) recommended that financial institutions contact municipalities and public service providers to waive late fees for consumers during the postal service strike, but the proposal was not accepted. "Consumers need to be aware that there will be no waiver of late fees for any debt."