They made a promise i will recieve paid up letter within 3 days...called in after three days as nothing was recieved. They said there is nothing they can do ...the lady answering the phone had the rudest attitude ever and the supervisor on duty known as Hydie would not come on the phne....6 days lata...still nothing....who do i contact for help.

No wonder these guys have 1.2 rating.Consistently hounding me for a TV license I do not own even after numerous back & forths. On top of that, they have absolutely no telephone etiquette even though they are the ones being bothersome.

The most unprofessional consultants ive ever came across. I just spoke to a lady by the name of Mrs Monyaka very rude human being.

This company is sending e mails to incorrect e mail addresses. I spoke to mrs. Mattheys who said they are allowed to send to incorrect email address.They sent me a email with a bill of R5000 plus for a Foshini ACCOUNT. I HAVE NEVER SHOPPED AT THIS STORE!? Do not trust this ANTHONY RICHARDS AND ASSOCIATES , THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

Completely incompetent and rude. Staff have no idea what is going on. No boundaries calling people at 7AM!!!

This company is used by ABSA and They buy prescribed debt from.other debt collectors and they say they calling from Absa. South africans know your rights if the debt besides Municipality debts SARS and TV licences is older than 5 years it should be prescribed debt and they can not hold that against you if you do not agree to their payment terms. I got a sms and a call from them regarding debt which is over 18 years ago and that should have been written off .A bunch of crooks.Disgusting service, the young lady seemed so crude spoke like a thug, disgraceful and she banged the phone when I declared PRESCRIBED DEBT. Have reported them to Absa.

They send legal threats and collection demands for SABC TV License payments, AFTER the license has been paid.

They really slow and give bad service not worried about anything

If I could give minus 5 stars I would.Lack of professionalism, rude, cant believe ABSA would ever use such a bad service provider. Says a lot about the quality of ABSA.Never experienced such lack of respect or professionalism. Even their website doesnt say much. Cannot confirm anywhere of this is legitimate.No message from ABSA to say if they even use this low quality service.

Incompetent. Did not tell me who they were or what company. When i told them they could not speak to my wife as she had passed away, i was adked if i had sent paper to THE COMPANY. I asked what company. I was told that they could not tell me.So work this out. I must send papers, dont know what papers to THE COMPANY dont know what company.Told the woman not to call again.

The level of incompetence is astounding when dealing with the call center agents at ARA. There is no level of professionalism or telephone etiquette when dealing with these people. They are eager to call you to make arrangements and practically bully you with their debt collection mandate but when you try calling them, NOTHING. If by chance you get through to reception and they offer a call back, dont hold your breath , they will NEVER call you back.i have sent emails and called every day for 2 months, and all they can tell me if im lucky to get through to them is we dont have the account its settled on our side, contact the head office for further assistance.That is the ridiculous answer you get even though head office tells you they don;t have the account.Its utterly ridiculous. I would give 0 stars if i had the option. The companies that are still referring their collection matters to ARA are making a big mistake.

Who are these people that call and ask for your ID a and contact details ?

Great service

The worst service I have ever experienced. About a month before lockdown I settled an outstanding account that they have been dealing with. Its now officially nearly 3 months down the line and i havent heard back from them as yet. I was promised that I would recieve a paid up letter as well as have the account removed from my ITC within 14 days. I do understand about the lockdown but they had 21 days since I made payment. So they have no excuse. As stated in law you should have your name cleared within 14 days of payment.I have sent multiple emails aswell as called a number of times. I sent proof of payment more than 3 times already and still not a single response from them.I dont know what they trying to do or how they handle accounts but its definitely the worst service I have received.If I could , I would give a zero star rating but I cant. Now Im forced to take legal action and have more of time and money messed up.Pathetic service with incompetent people. I wouldnt recommend them to anyone!!!

Really rude staff.Mumbles something and puts phone down while Im talking.5 rotten apples !!!

In January 2014 (I think, its been so long ago), I settled my account with a discount offer. Did not get my settlement letter. Called them, and they said the lady working with it is on leave. Called back a month later. This time she was there, but told me I am not their only client, I will get my letter when they get to it. It is now two years later (and many phone calls) and still no letter. If these people call you to settle debt, dont. Once they get your money they disappear!EDIT: I finally got my Paid Up letter on February 6, 2017. This was after paying the account in full on January 26, 2015. When they said it would take 2 weeks for me to get the letter, I did not realize they did not know the difference between weeks and years...

Very rude and unprofessional.

Their call centre agents are very rude and unprofessional with systems that are not updated correctly i paid up my load in August 2020 but they still calling saying i must pay standard bank should change their collection company.

This company must be worst debt collectors in SA!! Such incompetence is frustrating. I have been waiting for more than a FULL YEAR for my paid up letter. Very quick to remind you pay but also very slow to do their job! Terrible customer service!

Scam artists

Remarkably poor at communication, clarity, and service, especially given their job. Steer clear.

There call centre agents has no way of speaking to the customers. I just got a call and the advisor is eating over the phone. Mumbling legal sections and questioning me about how i live on a daily basis. I worked in a call centre and i come from collections as well. Dont demand me to make a commitment for your sake of making ur monthly target.. disgusting service....

Terrible service, flat ignores my emails and calls

After being contact be ARA for months and demanding money to my account i was finally able to pay it in full whereby the consultant offered me a discount. As per arrangement to have a debt order go out to gain the discount i agreed. At the end of the month my account was debt with the discussed discounted amount i called in for a paid up letter which i was promised to get latest the 18th of Sept. Today is the 28th of Sept and im still awaiting the paid up letter, after calling numerous times for the past week, speaking to the team leader i still had no joy. Yesterday 27th Sept i received an sms stating an amount of R340.60 will be debt out my account (Why i have no idea) i then called back and spoke to the consultant she said their was no debt order agreement to go out again and i shouldnt worry. Today i check my statement and i see the money has went out this morning. when i called in again the consultant said to me it was automatically taken out my accountant and theirs nothing she can do but i need to call my bank and reverse it. I asked to speak to her manager or team leader but was told their are in a meeting. Their service is disgusting as ever, unhelpful people and dont know how to treat clients. I am currently get my attorney involved in this especially for them stealing money from my accountant with out my permission and with me telling them they have no right to do so

My new cell number is logged on their system and ARA Group has provided terrible service in updating their service, reluctant to take my number off their database. Willing to waste my time and theirs.

These people will keep on phoning you even if you indicate that the person they are looking for has left the company. It is now 5 years and they still do not comprehend the matter!!????

MY husband had an Account with Sterns and when we wanted to pay the account at all the store we were told that the Account is not showing the system,for about 11 months now,and we were lucky to get the record of the Account from Trans union and we asked for the the Clearance letter as the account was handed over to the so called Richards and Associates Debt Collectors and we made sure that we paid the amount of the money to the Fnb account that was given to us,the money was paid on the 29 of August 2014 and till today they are telling us that the money is not reflecting on their system whereas the name of my husband is on Credit Bauer,and as it is now i think i will have to report the CASE OF FRAUD..I AM HIGHLY PISSED OFF BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PROFESSIONAL AT ALL AND ALWAYS WHEN WE CALL THEY WILL TAKE YOUR NUMBER AND THEY WILL NEVER COMEBACK TO YOU.

Fn Terrible

Worst cellphone etiquette, bad customer service, so disorganized youd swear its a scam if it isnt

Very very dissapointed in this company!! Poor service! Waiting on a settlement letter phoned over 20 times in w days and the consultants cuts a person off

Their service is so so bad unprofessional people answering the phones.They are not even afraid to say I dont know, how do you run a business and employ people who knows nothing about the company.All I want is a letter that shows Ive settled my account.

The worst of collection agents

Good

Coolio

Con artist

Idiots.

Terrible