SINGAPORE - More than $300,000 in unpaid marriage maintenance has been collected and paid to Singaporean women by the DP SME Commercial Credit Bureau in the last 12 months.

The Bureau is designated by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) to receive reports on unpaid maintenance fees owed to ex-spouses.

According to the Bureau, more than 100 people have approached them to help record unpaid matrimonial maintenance owed to them on the defaulter's credit report.

The service is open to both men and women, but so far, women have been the ones who have been coming forward, said a spokesperson.

The service aims to deter ex-spouses from defaulting on maintenance payments.

Many single families have benefited from the scheme, said Ms Ong Siew Kim, Senior General Manager of the DP SME Commercial Credit Bureau.

“When told that the information will be reflected in their credit report as part of their payment history, and that their credit reputation may be affected, 50 per cent of defaulters made payments to reduce their debt.

"Of these, 20 per cent brought their payments completely up to date. Another 20 per cent of the defaulters gave a commitment to make a payment in the future," said Ms Ong.

Subscribers to the opt-in programme have to pay an annual fee of $50 per year, subject to GST. A discount or waiver may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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