After 10 years, woman still pursued over ex-husband’s debts

KUALA LUMPUR - Nearly a decade after ending what she thought was a dark chapter in her life, a woman claims she is still living in fear, alleging that her identity continues to be used for debts without her knowledge.

The woman, who only wants to be known as Naquiah, in her 30s, said her marriage in 2012 initially appeared normal, but things began to unravel after they started living together.

She said her then-husband claimed his business was only facing "temporary problems", but the truth slowly emerged when she discovered he was actually unemployed and the office he spoke of had already shut down.

"At the time, I still chose to believe him and tried to help. I thought it was my responsibility as a wife," she said.

However, she said that trust gradually trapped her as her name began to be used in various financial dealings.

Naquiah said companies were registered under her name because her husband had been blacklisted, while bank accounts were also opened using her personal details.

Without fully understanding the implications, she admitted to signing documents, including blank cheques - a decision that would later have serious consequences on her life.

"I was confused and under pressure at the time. I just wanted to help, but in the end, I was the one who suffered the consequences," she said.

She said the situation led to losses of between RM20,000 and RM30,000 and she was nearly blacklisted after cheques she signed were used without sufficient funds.

Naquiah said the pressure peaked when she was asked to take out a personal loan to settle her former husband’s debts.

The ongoing strain eventually pushed her to file for divorce on Dec 21, 2015. The marriage was dissolved a day later, in hope of starting a new life.

Hounded by debt collectors

However, the peace she sought did not last long.

Naquiah said around the end of 2021, she received a message stating that a RM90,000 loan had been approved under her name - something she described as impossible as they had long lost contact.

"I thought it was a scam and tried to ignore it. But a few months later, I started receiving messages about arrears and then the bank contacted me directly.

"When the bank called looking for him, that’s when I realised my phone number was being used as a reference, even though we had been divorced for years," she said.

Since then, she said her life has once again been overshadowed by fear, as she began receiving calls not only from banks but also from individuals claiming to be debt collectors.

"I received a call from someone who said he was looking for my ex-husband to collect a debt.

"What shocked me was when the caller said my phone number had just been given to him, even though me and my ex-husband had been separated for eight years and I have no connection to him," she said.

According to Naquiah, some of the callers spoke in a harsh and demanding tone, and even raised their voices when she tried to explain her situation.

"When I tried to defend myself and explain, he shouted at me. I was truly afraid and stressed.

"Some were angry, as if I was the one who owed the money. I became afraid every time my phone rang," she said.

She added that what started as occasional disturbances eventually became almost daily, affecting her emotional well-being and peace of mind.

The situation forced her to change her phone number to avoid further harassment, but the fear persists as she believes her personal information is still being used without her consent.

Naquiah said recently, she received a claim from the Tribunal For Consumer Claims on April 9 involving an umrah package service company she did not recognise.

"I don’t know the company at all, yet my name is there. It feels like I have never truly been free from this.

"I believe my name and documents are still being used without permission and I am being made to bear the consequences of someone else’s actions," she said.

She added that a police report has been lodged, but so far only a protective report has been opened due to lack of evidence for further investigation.

"All I want is to live peacefully without feeling afraid every time my phone rings or when I get messages from someone I don’t know," she said.