Web reply to (03) 9752 6229

My name is Andrew Wall and I am the owner and founder of the company to which all these posts are referring, Legal and Commercial. (03) 9752 6229.

We are a debt collection agency that services clients from all over Australia.

Recently it was brought to my attention that a number of web sites had many blogs referring to my company and (03) 9752 6299 with regards to unsolicited txt or sms messages.

I thought I should set the record straight as I was alarmed to read some of the misinformation being posted that is completely false and untrue.

There are only a few reasons why someone would receive an unsolicited sms or txt on their mobile phone from Legal and Commercial:

1. We have been unable to make contact with you by conventional means (post).
2. We have received mail back from Australia Post stating that you have moved address.
3. Your home phone number is no longer connected or has been changed,
4. The only contact information that may be current is your mobile phone number.
5. You have recently been given a new mobile phone number by your telephone provider
and that new number provided to you, previously belonged to the person we are seeking to contact. (you have been given a recycled phone number)

I also think it is important to explain why the text or sms sent to you is not specific in detail.

Current privacy laws prevent us (or any debt collection agency) from being explicit with regards to debts owed and additional information including (DOB) date of birth etc unless we have already established the identity of the person we have been trying to contact. Until we can confirm that we are talking to the correct person, we are forbidden by current privacy laws to send that information out on sms or txt or by any other means. This protects the privacy of the debtor and ensures compliance to current laws. More importantly it ensures that we are not giving out personal information about yourself to the person who has picked up your old mobile number.

Immediately a layer of uncertainty and suspicion is created when you receive an unsolicited sms or txt from Legal and Commercial. It is very understandable to feel this way when you have never made contact with our office before, and may not even be aware that you have a legitimate debt in your name. There is nothing worse than receiving txt or sms that is not for you.

I trust this post has allayed a few fears and puts things back into perspective as to why you have received an sms or txt from Legal and Commercial.

If you are still uncertain or wary, I am personally available to take your phone call on (03) 9752 6206. If I am unavailable, please leave a message with one of our collection team with a reference to this post and I will do my best to call you back within 24 hours.

Regards Andrew Wall
Managing Director
Legal and Commercial
PS: Txt and sms is a cost effective way to make contact with debtors. Most of the debtors on our books have agreed to pay for costs of recovery in advance if your account moves into default. Legal and Commercial do not charge debtors accounts for the cost of sms or txt although allowed by the contract you signed. So please call and sort out what needs to be sorted.

This was absolutely horrible. They allege I returned videos at different times (which I never did) and that my debt was $20. I have only ever had a debt there of about $6.00. The L&C staff were rude in the extreme and hung up on me. I then called Network Video Clifton Hill to express my dissatisfaction, and the man I spoke with became belligerent and said 'what do you object to?'. I explained it was giving my number to a debt agency for $20, an amount which I severely doubted given that last I heard I had $6 of fees, and that agency treating me appallingly. He said angrily, 'why don't you just pay it?'. This is the stuff that makes you feel grimy about life. I'd be happy to pay a real debt if treated with courtesy. Will never use Network Video again.

It's not a scam. I rang them and quoted the number they sent me and it was for an old debt that I owed. Lucky I returned the call as the company that I owed the debt to was going to take me through the courts. Saved myself a lot of dramas. Still don't like getting SMS messages

Debt agency trying strongarm tactics to get paid for old debts they purchased but can not provide evidence for the claimed amounts. Report to ACCC as misleading and deceptive.

Messages sent threaten a "defult listing" however Under section 18E of the PA 1988, a credit provider can also lodge a default listing on your credit report if you dishonour the same cheque for not less than $100 twice. The cost of not returning an item (which so far has not been proved nor a signed copy of the contract been provided by Legal & Commercial") cant not exceed the original value of the item ~$30

The treat to list a default is misleading conduct and should be reported to the ACCC. If you run a free credit search and find that this company has listed you, you can appeal under the grounds of not meeting section 18E and have it removed and a formal complaint registered against the company.

Just pay your debts.. Simple

As I have read the messaging above..when I have something in writing and validates me..I may consider it

I have also received several text messages and most recently a letter to my home claiming I owe $10.00 for 4 movies i rented 5 years ago.

The letter is not addressed from anyone and asks for all credit card details to be processed for the $10 i owe.

When I call Legal and commercial I have never once spoken to a person. Either they are not open or noone returns my calls.

I think this might be a scam but am not prepared to have my credit history black listed over $10......

What to do!?

Messages sent provide a threat of a "defult listing" however Under section 18E of the PA 1988 "a credit provider can also lodge a default listing on your credit report if you dishonour the same cheque for not less than $100 twice". The cost of not returning an item (which so far has not been proved nor a signed copy of the contract been provided by Legal & Commercial") cant not exceed the original value of the item ~$30

The treat to list a default is misleading conduct and should be reported to the ACCC. If you run a free credit search and find that this company has listed you, you can appeal under the grounds of not meeting section 18E and have it removed and a formal complaint registered against the company.

have been told I owe for overdue rental with video ezy (now Network) from 2 years ago. Titles were correct and I do remember hiring them, do not remember returning late and very interestingly, the minimum amount they will recover for a client is $20, I have been charged $21 for 2 overdue so $10.50 each but apparently I paid $6 at the time...so I owe $15. How the hell I could be charged $10.50/video is ridiculous as I would have paid at the most $7 each but now way I would have - don't have that kind of money. Also have not hired since which looks dodgy but I began study a month later and just haven't had time to sit and watch (hardly sit and watch tv!) And never hire from anywhere else as I'm in a country town...??? Have emailed Network requesting dodgy claim waived... Also, there was a court case against the solicitor acting on behalf of this crowd charged with professional misconduct in 2013 through VCAT because of intimidating letters and dishonest charges of 'solicitors admin costs' added to original debt pre-litigation. Prepared to go the distance with this mob for $15 bucks - I'm on a disability pension.

Lol my sister has an old debt from a video company. I called up this place and they told me everything I need to know without confirming any of my sisters details. Breaking compliance much, do you actually have any proceedures in place for compliance?

Anyway seems dodgy as you dont even have an option for BPAY.

Privacy stipulates that we are unable to give you any information until we conform we are speaking with the correct person. I'm sure you wouldn't like a Debt Collector to be talking about your matters with any random person??

I received 2 messages about a debt for another person as I have only had my new Optus number for 2 weeks. On talking to Andrew on (03) 9752 6206 and Quoting Ref number he asserted it was previous persons phone number and promptly adjusted his records. Thank you Andrew.

Yes been harassing me for years about a debt they claim I owe. When i ring them they want my name and birth date. i say, no you rang me, tell me what it's about and they tell me they can't proceed. ridiculous, i don't owe anything, contemplating complaining to ACCC.

Took a call from "Michelle" who wouldn't identify herself - trying to link a relative to my very elderly veteran father's interstate address. Number she rang from was dodgy and same record a message. Few days later we get the FRIENDLY REMINDER for $53 for bizarre video rental titles - Call the Emperor, Texas Chainsaw, Evil Wears Many Faces, World War Z, Sinister, Blood of Redemption and Man of Steel.

Relative is homeless, lives in a car on the streets, no electricity let alone means to watch TV or videos and hospitalised for over 3 months. Website has no email address and you can't lodge any information in the Contact page of their website. So we wrote to them denying the claim.

Got a letter today for dvd hire debt from 3 years ago..$15 whole dollars. I returned them on time and I cant prove it and neither can they. No way in hell im going to even bother with it

My daughter received a message from this number but was addressed to Stephen. There is most likely recycled numbers getting messages.
It is easy for this to happen. The sender needs to write a disclaimer to cover mistaken contacts. Be responsible and you wont get so many complaints.

My daughter just got this message. I pay for the phone so its under my name, I know I don't owe anything - even for old DVD's (we buy them!) plus she's only had it for about 4 months. Couldn't get through on the 9752 6229 number so used the 9752 6206 number in the first comment. Person who answered was polite and professional. I gave him the ref and said she'd only had it for a couple of months. He said it was for the person who used to have the phone and he would take the number off the account. SMS was as rude as, person on the phone was anything but so not sure about the whole thing. I guess at least it's fixed now.

Message sent to my partner's phone. This is a "fishing" tactic commonly used by debt collectors ...pretty low in my opinion. She tells me not hired a video in over ten years. These people are not to be trusted.

Not scammers as such just greedy sods; gouging people for small amounts. I owed some cash for a late DVD from a few years ago.

A legal but dishonourable way to earn a living.