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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Christopher Knaus

Know your rights: what to do if you receive a call from a debt collector

A woman using her mobile phone
There are all sorts of rules governing debt collectors and privacy laws oblige them to protect people’s confidentiality. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

If you have ever received a call from a private debt collector, perhaps demanding payment for an overdue bill you barely remember, you will know that it can feel daunting and rife with potentially serious consequences.

The best way to protect yourself in such a situation, particularly with the cost-of-living crisis driving more and more Australians to financial stress, is to understand your rights and the rules governing the way debt collectors can behave.

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