Here is the interesting thing about debt collectors. If they ring you, it means you no longer have the debt---to anyone! The reason is that the original company you owed the money to, sold your debt (for less than you owed them) to the debt collection company (knowing you are unlikely to ever pay up). The debt collection agency took a gamble - they figure if they hassle you enough they will get you to pay and they make a profit because they paid less for your debt than you will pay them...Catch is,you dont owe the money to the original company anymore (they sold the debt) and you never made any legal agreement with the debt collector - all you need to say to them, is "I do not have a contract with you." Just keep saying that - "I dont have a contract with you"...they get the hint and see that they cant fool you pretty soon and they stop calling :-)

Unfortunately you are dead wrong. Companies may sell a debt legitimately and those debt collectors who purchased the debt (or their clients) may pursue you as if the debt is owed to them. And they do, yes they take a "gamble" in buying the debts, it also means they are far more likely to pursue the matter to the end, court, judgment, enforcement, etc. Also not all debt collectors purchase debts, most do not, they are acting for the company you owe the money to on a commission basis. By taking the advice "I don't have a contract with you" etc all you are going to do is force them to consider suing you, rather than trying to get repayments made.

Panthera Finance - Dept Collectors

they phone my house regularly asking for my son , who doesn't live here , and when I ask who's calling I was given a name Nick Edwards and was told it was an urgent business matter ......I could understand one call maybe but not regular calls , sick of them ....

Caller: Panthera Finance - HAD ENOUGH

Scam debt collectors. Seems they have bought or created fake debts and cannot prove any of what they claim. They will also call and text you from random mobile numbers. Block everyone number that contacts you and send a complaint to the ACCC with the phone number and advise them it is Panthera Finance harassing you. Pathetic excuse for a company.

Caller: Panthera Finance

I’m so glad I called the number back. It was Panthera about legit debt which I easily set up an affordable payment plan. These guys were so easy to deal with, unlike Baycorp & Credit Corp who made it so difficult.

The dept collector was trying to get into contact with my sister what's so creepy about it is this dept collector was actually going on Facebook contacting all her friends and family via inbox aswell as calling her friends were he had got there numbers of facey in the profile mind u he even put a hand written letter in her letter box but yet funny thing is my sister does not have any depts

I received a text message from dodgy scam Panthera Finance on my private unlisted Telstra phone number saying that Rachael had an outstanding Optus phone account of $1,194.18 . I do not know anyone named Rachael or have I ever had an Optus telephone account so block all numbers from Panthera Finance (07) 3535 9000 & 1300 722 974 & 0480 009 000

Dodgy.
They wanted to verify me with my personal details yet they wouldn’t tell me how they got my number or what company they were calling from. Disgusting.

obviously you work for this mob. They are calling about fake debts or debts that have already been paid. No excuses for harrassment.

A guy rang our business asking for an employees name who does not work in the office. I asked him who is calling and he refused to respond saying it's a personal matter so he can't disclose who he is or what he wants. i said that I can't disclose to a stranger who works here as that is a privacy matter. He got annoyed and asked if I can pass on a message. He left a name "Julian (07) 3535 9000 and a reference number saying the employee will know exactly what it is about.. The employee in questions knows nothing and has had no previous calls.

That's not entirely correct. Debt collectors work on two types of debt. Contingency debt is debt being handled on behalf of the client (bank/telco etc). They will say 'we are calling on behalf of...". The other is purchase debt which was sold to them and which they are within their legal rights to chase. At the end of the day, you used/borrowed it, you pay it. That's just the right thing to do. We all fall on hard times, doesn't mean we don't pay our way through life. If you are having a hard time, most of them will bend over backwards to help you, hardship, moratoriums tiny payment arrangements that take years to pay. If you don't like paying these companies, don't take out the service. It's not rocket science. If they stop calling you can be defaulted for up to 15 years in NSW so good luck getting a phone, white goods or anything on finance or a loan within that time. Be honest and get some integrity people.

Caller: Panthera Finance

I keep getting harassed about a debt I don't even have. Have been so paranoid and checked it all out. Get texts from random numbers which is them, offering a "discount" if I pay immediately? I literally do not have the debt they claim!!!

They called and asked for James. I said ain’t no James here. Then he asked me to prove it. I said “would James do this?” And hung up.

I was called by Lua also, he rang my work place and asked to speak to my Manager, like WTF.

Caller: Lua>?

I got a call about my husbands cousin - who is in another country. Very unprofessional and a bit scary considering the only connection we have is on Facebook. Very Stalker like.

Called me trying to contact my neighbour, claimed they had a database of addresses and phone numbers and found me and asked me to put a note in his letterbox as they needed to speak to him as he is under investigation. Misuse of database and breach of his privacy, they have no reason to have my number or link that to my address I am not subject of debt

Caller: debt collector

Constant calls. I have asked them to stop calling (Take me off their list) as I do not know the individual that they are seeking. Now when I answer with my name they hang up... Just frustrating and annoying to say the least as they are calling my business line and mobiles

Persistent calls from a company that do not identify themselves. Calling me on the chance that I might be related to a person with the same last name, who has a relative with a similar first name. Very distrustful that I am telling the truth

Caller: Panthera

They say I have a debt with a credit union that I have never done business with. I have asked them numerous times (since March this year) to provide evidence that this debt exists and they have been unable to give me anything. They have been heavily fined by ACCC for harassing people over unsubstantiated debts. DO NOT PAY ANYTHING until they prove there is a debt!!!