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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Christopher Knaus

‘Insidious and unsavoury’: how private debt collectors push vulnerable Australians to breaking point

Victoria is believed to be the only jurisdiction in the country that outsources the collection of unpaid ambulance fees to private debt collectors
Private debt collectors’ conduct has left Australians feeling harassed, stressed and powerless. Photograph: Gabe Palmer/Alamy

The debt collector’s calls had driven Zach Fakhri to the edge.

It had only been six weeks since the personal trainer received the bill for an ambulance trip, taken after he sustained significant injuries while intervening in a fight between his two dogs.

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