Dealing with debt collectors

You may be contacted by a debt collector if you fall behind on a loan or credit card repayment and don't contact your creditor.

A debt collector may be from the original credit or service provider, or a debt collection agency acting on the creditor's behalf.

If a debt collector contacts you, you can expect to be treated in a professional manner.

Dealing with Debt Collectors: Your Rights and Responsibilities on the Money Smart website, provides information about:

• what to do when a debt collector contacts you
• how and when a debt collector can contact you
• unacceptable behaviours by debt collectors
• disputing a debt
• whether you're being taken to court.

Free legal advice

If you want to dispute a debt, or feel your rights have been infringed in any way, free legal advice - and representation in some cases - is available through the Consumer Credit Law Centre South Australia (CCLCSA).

The CCLCSA can help with:

• repossessions and mortgage loan foreclosure
• debt management options (including bankruptcy and debt agreements)
• debtor's court and ongoing assistance and casework, including court/tribunal representation
• disputes related to loans for personal, domestic and household use - eg credit cards, mortgages, personal loans
• credit debt
• credit history reports.

Related information

On this site

Free legal advice