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Affected oBike users urged to submit deposit claims online to kick-start adjudication process

SINGAPORE — The Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) has urged affected oBike users to submit their deposit claims online so that the company’s liquidators can “examine and adjudicate on all claims received”.

With oBike's departure, some town councils around Singapore have been taking measures to remove the shared-bicycles from obstructing public spaces. At Fernvale, 195 oBikes were found clustered at a field on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.

With oBike's departure, some town councils around Singapore have been taking measures to remove the shared-bicycles from obstructing public spaces. At Fernvale, 195 oBikes were found clustered at a field on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.

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SINGAPORE — The Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) has urged affected oBike users to submit their deposit claims online so that the company’s liquidators can “examine and adjudicate on all claims received”.

In a Facebook post on Thursday (July 12), Case noted that oBike’s provisional liquidators has announced that affected consumers with existing deposits with the bike sharing operator should submit their claim together with their relevant supporting documents online at https://www.obikedepositholders.com/ as soon as possible.

“The liquidators will examine and adjudicate on all claims received. Consumers who are unsure about the submission of claims may contact Case for further assistance (hotline: 6100 0315, website: www.case.org.sg),” it added.

Currently, Case charges a S$10.70 administrative fee and S$26.75 annual membership fee depending on how the consumer chooses for his complaint to be handled.

"Such fees will only be charged by Case when our officers need to follow-up on the case and negotiate directly with business," the Case spokesman said.

"But for oBike's case, it is difficult to negotiate directly with the business as they have ceased operations. Since oBike is now in liquidation, affected consumers should submit their claims to the liquidators, which is the usual practice for liquidation cases. Nevertheless, should consumers need help on submitting a claim, they may approach Case for free advice."

oBike, which claims to have more than one million users here, abruptly announced on June 25 that it was ending its operations in Singapore, citing a tough new licensing regime.

The company later revealed that it had gone into liquidation, prompting scores of riders to scramble to recover their mandatory deposits — up to S$49 — that they had placed with the firm.

In a statement on July 5, Mr Joshua James Taylor and Yit Chee Wah of FTI Consulting said they have been appointed oBike's liquidators, and are "aware of media reports" surrounding the refund issue.

"The Provisional Liquidators will be liasing with the company's director and shareholder/founders regarding this issue, and to discuss whether it is their intention to provide such a refund," the liquidators added without saying when the meeting would take place.

"Further updates will be provided to deposit holders in due course," they added.

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