Fulltext search (required) Topics Date range From (required) To (required) Set date range Quick selection This year to dateLast 12 monthsLast yearLast 5 years Advertising and promotions 1,554 Agriculture 309 Banking and finance 218 Buying and selling products and services 620 Cars and vehicles 183 Childcare 14 Competition and exemptions 1,907 Compliance and enforcement 2,859 Consumer Data Right 1 COVID-19 101 Debt 32 Digital platforms and services 88 Energy 514 Food and groceries 356 Franchising 182 Industry codes 340 Insurance 151 Mergers 1,028 Petrol and fuel 214 Postal services 62 Pricing 332 Problem with a product or service 198 Rail, shipping and ports 272 Regulated infrastructure 1,562 Scams 285 Stay protected 724 Telecommunications and internet 1,232 Travel and airports 397 Water 77 Pin topics filter Clear all Debt 1 - 25 of 32 news items shown Sort by (required) Published dateRelevance Media release 17 Mar 2020 Debt collector Panthera to pay $500,000 in penalties for undue harassment The Federal Court has ordered that Panthera Finance Pty Ltd pay $500,000 in penalties for unduly harassing three consumers over debts they did not owe and for misleading one of the three consumers. Media release 24 Jul 2019 Debt collection company in court over alleged harassment The ACCC has instituted proceedings against debt collection agency Panthera Finance Pty Ltd alleging it unduly harassed three consumers over debts they did not owe. Media release 21 Dec 2018 ACM to pay $750,000 for misleading, harassing and coercing consumers The Federal Court has ordered one of Australia’s largest debt collection firms, ACM Group Ltd, to pay $750,000 in penalties for ACM’s misleading, harassing, coercive and unconscionable pursuit of unpaid debts from two vulnerable consumers. Media release 30 Jul 2018 ACCC win puts debt collectors on notice The Federal Court has found one of Australia’s largest debt collection firms, ACM Group Ltd, engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct, harassment and coercion, and unconscionable conduct in its dealings with two vulnerable consumers. Media release 20 Dec 2017 ACCC warns about Digital Sourcing, formerly Luxstyle The ACCC has issued a Public Warning Notice about the conduct of overseas based online retailer Digital Sourcing ApS (Digital Sourcing), formerly Lux International Sales ApS (Luxstyle). Media release 02 Mar 2017 Public warning about Luxstyle The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a Public Warning Notice about the alleged conduct of online retailer Lux International Sales ApS (a company based in Denmark that trades under the name LuxStyle). Media release 02 Jun 2016 ACCC takes action against debt collection firm ACM Group Ltd Update: this release has been edited to more clearly identify the ACCC has made allegations against ACM Group Ltd (ACN 127 181 097). Media release 22 May 2015 ACCC report on debt collection industry reveals improvements but warns against non-compliance A report released today by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and its Consumer Consultative Committee has found that there have been improvements in debt collection practices across Australia but that problem areas remain. Media release 05 Dec 2014 ACCC and ASIC release guide for consumers dealing with debt collectors The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) have launched 'Dealing with debt collectors: Your rights and responsibilities' a free guide that helps consumers in trouble with debt understand their options so they know how to deal with collectors and creditors. Media release 08 Jul 2014 ACCC and ASIC revise guidelines for businesses and consumers about debt collection activities The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) have launched an updated version of their ‘Debt collection guideline: for collectors and creditors’. Media release 19 Oct 2011 Court declares lawyer engaged in misleading debt collection practices The Federal Court has declared that a number of representations made by Pippa Sampson of Goddard Elliott Lawyers, in the period April 2002 to October 2010, to collect small debts on behalf of video rental stores were misleading and deceptive. Pippa Sampson, the principal and registered owner of Goddard Elliott Lawyers has admitted sending approximately 20,000 debt collection notices per month in the 12 months prior to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission instituting proceedings. The notices were sent Australia-wide. “The scale and flagrant nature of this conduct, and the fact that it was engaged in by a lawyer is of great concern to the ACCC,” ACCC chairman Rod Sims said. The ACCC took legal action after concerns were raised by the Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service on behalf of clients who had received debt collection notices making the misleading representations. Media release 14 Oct 2010 Court orders lawyer to stop sending certain debt notices On 12 October 2010 the Federal Court in Melbourne made an interlocutory order restraining Ms Pippa Sampson, principal lawyer of Goddard Elliott, from sending debt collection notices that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission alleges are misleading and deceptive. Media release 08 Oct 2010 ACCC institutes court action against lawyer over debt recovery practices The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted Federal Court proceedings against Pippa Sampson, principal lawyer at Goddard Elliott, for alleged misleading and deceptive conduct when representing video stores in small debt recovery. The ACCC alleges that from at least July 2010, Pippa Sampson made misleading or deceptive representations in four debt collection letters and notices posted to addressees including: if the debt was not paid and the video stores issued legal proceedings against the addressee, this would necessarily result in the addressee having to pay significant legal costs. Media release 14 May 2009 Debt collection in ACCC sights The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has called on the debt collection and debt buying industry to help crackdown on unscrupulous practices. Media release 28 Jul 2008 ACCC / ASIC debt collection phone-in day The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission will hold a phone-in day dedicated to debt collection concerns on Thursday (31 July 2008). Media release 08 Aug 2007 ASIC and ACCC promote access to guidance on fair debt collection practices The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) today issued their joint consumer publication, Dealing with debt: your rights and responsibilities, in six new languages. Media release 13 Jun 2006 Settlement of ACCC action against Fox Symes Fox Symes & Associates Pty Ltd and its directors, Mr Tim Maher and Ms Deborah Southon, have given undertakings to the Federal Court as part of a settlement of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's legal action against them. The ACCC alleged that, in its dealings with particular individuals, Fox Symes engaged in conduct that was misleading or deceptive and had acted unconscionably in contravention of the Trade Practices Act 1974. The settlement of the legal action was entered into by Fox Symes and its directors on the basis that they do not admit that they engaged in conduct in contravention of the Act. The undertakings provided to the court by Fox Symes include undertakings that, for a period of five years, it: will not make certain statements to customers or potential customers in respect of debt agreement proposals and debt agreements will use its best endeavours to inform customers and potential customers that details of a debt agreement proposal or debt agreement are highly likely to be recorded on a person’s credit report as maintained by credit reporting agencies will explain the nature and effect of all documents provided to customers and potential customers by Fox Symes, and will bring to the attention of customers and potential customers the amount of all fees payable in respect of a debt agreement. Media release 03 Feb 2006 Collection house makes ex-gratia payments for collection of 'old debts' in NSW Australia's largest debt collection company, Collection House Limited, will offer ex gratia payments in aggregate totalling up to $660,000 to a group of approximately 500 New South Wales debtors from whom it collected 'old debts' between 2001 and 2004. The payments come after discussions with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Collection House about a tranche of former Australian Guarantee Corporation Limited debts bought by Collection House and its subsidiary, Lion Finance Pty Ltd, in 2001. The ACCC first notified Collection House in January 2001 of its concerns about representations made to debtors about certain debt in NSW. In particular the ACCC was concerned about representations made by Collection House regarding its rights to collect 'old debts' that were potentially extinguished. 'Old debts' are those where a period prescribed in State and Territory based statutes of limitation (usually six years) has lapsed without any recovery action. In all States and Territories, statutes of limitation provide a defence against litigation for recovery of the debt after that specified period. However, NSW law goes further and extinguishes the debt at the conclusion of the statute period but allows for it to be revived by the courts in some circumstances. "The ACCC is aware that legal opinion is divided on the effect of this NSW law", ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today. "The ACCC maintains that regardless of a creditor having a potential further right of access to the courts, the Trade Practices Act 1974 precludes the creditor from misleading consumers about their rights when pursuing the debt in the meantime by claiming or suggesting it is entitled to the outstanding monies". Mr Samuel said that the ACCC would continue to press debt collectors and creditors generally not to mislead consumers as to their rights in regard to statute-barred debt in all States and Territories. Both the ACCC and Collection House sought legal advice on interpretation of the Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) and, as result of negotiations, the board of Collection House volunteered to make ex-gratia payments in relation to all accounts identified as being potentially statute extinguished at the time of collection activity. Media release 14 Oct 2005 ASIC, ACCC promote fair debt collection practices The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) today issued two jointly produced publications, aimed at improving standards in the debt collection industry and assisting consumers dealing with debts and debt collection. Media release 18 Aug 2005 Better redress and procedures for debtors Better redress and procedures for debtors in relation to factored debt will ensue following the ACCC's inquiries into complaints about Alliance Factoring's debt collection practices and procedures. Media release 01 Jul 2005 ACCC and ASIC issue further consultation draft of the joint debt collection guideline A second draft of the guideline on consumer protection laws for those involved in the debt collection industry has been issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Media release 14 Feb 2005 ACCC and ASIC issue draft debt collection guideline The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Australian Securities and Investments Commission today issued their joint draft debt collection guideline for public consultation. Media release 21 Dec 2004 ASIC and ACCC sign new MOU A new agreement covering liaison, cooperation, assistance, joint enquiries and exchange of confidential information arrangements has been signed by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Media release 08 Nov 2004 Debt collection: under scrutiny by ACCC and ASIC The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission today issued a brochure outlining their roles in regulating debt collection activities. Both ASIC and the ACCC oversee laws which protect consumers from inappropriate behaviour by a debt collector.* "Debt collection is a legitimate and necessary business activity, but debt collectors are not able to pursue debts by any means", ASIC Executive Director Consumer Protection, Mr Greg Tanzer, said today. "Debt collectors must not use physical force, undue harassment or coercion when collecting debts. Media release 15 Apr 2004 ACCC alleges unconscionable conduct by debt administrator The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court, Adelaide, against Fox Symes & Associates Pty Ltd, its directors Mr Tim Maher and Ms Deborah Southon, and also a related company, Debt Relief Services Pty Ltd, alleging misleading and deceptive conduct and also unconscionable conduct. The ACCC alleges that during 2000-2002, Sydney-based Fox Symes extensively advertised its services across Australia as a debt relief administrator, particularly with respect to debt agreements under Part IX of the Bankruptcy Act 1966. The ACCC alleges breaches of section 52 of the Trade Practices Act 1974, through Fox Symes making false or misleading representations when advertising and counselling clients that: their services would release clients from debt and that it was not bankruptcy all of their consultants were professional debt management consultants client's credit ratings would not be adversely affected creditors would be repaid in full, when, in fact, Debt Relief Services Pty Ltd, an undisclosed related company, received part of the repayment sum debts would be frozen immediately and interest would not accrue. The ACCC further alleges that the two companies engaged in unconscionable conduct because they were aware that their customers were likely to be financially or socially vulnerable but nonetheless they knowingly engaged in conduct which exploited that vulnerability. The ACCC is seeking remedies against the respondents that include: declarations that they engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct and false representations declarations that they engaged in unconscionable conduct injunctions, orders for remedial action, refunds, community service, and costs. A directions hearing is listed for 4 May 2004 in the Federal Court, Adelaide. Page 1 of 2Page 2 of 2 Pagination Current page 1 Page 2 Next page ›› › Last page Last » Items per page (required) 25 items per page50 items per page100 items per page