Debtors’ Responsibilities

Just as Griffith-Jones & Associates complies with the law relating to debt collection services, including those set out in guidelines issued by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), so too debtors have responsibilities under consumer law.

 

The ACCC/ASIC Debt collection guideline: for collectors and creditors, states:

 

“Debtors’ responsibilities

 

… the ACCC and ASIC recognise that debtors have responsibilities too. Debtors are legally responsible for paying the debts they legitimately owe. Where they owe the debt in question, debtors should:

 

• not attempt to avoid the obligation to satisfy debts they have incurred
• promptly contact creditors and debt collectors when they are experiencing financial difficulties and attempt to negotiate a variation in payments or other arrangement
• be candid about their financial position, including their other debts.

 

The ACCC and ASIC also recommend that debtors experiencing financial difficulties should seek the assistance of a financial counsellor, solicitor or other qualified adviser who may be able to help them with a debt negotiation.

 

The ACCC and ASIC have also produced guidance for debtors entitled Dealing with debt: your rights and responsibilities.”

 

Complaints

We will respond to complaints in accordance with, at least, the standards set out in the Insurance Council of Australia’s General Insurance Code of Practice.

 

A complaint can be made by writing to us at PO Box 186 Gosford NSW 2250. We will respond to a complaint, in writing, within a reasonable period after its receipt.

 

Privacy

Griffith-Jones & Associates has opted into complying with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), including in regard to protecting the privacy of a debtor’s personal information.

 

Our Privacy Policy is available by CLICKING HERE.

 

Financial Hardship

The requirements of the ACCC/ASIC’s Debt collection guideline: for collectors and creditors apply in relation to any notification from a debtor regarding financial hardship.

 

The Insurance Council of Australia expressly requires its agents to comply with the ACCC/ASIC Debt collection guideline when taking any recovery action.

 

Contact Us

When Griffith-Jones & Associates has been engaged to collect a debt owed, we encourage timely contact from debtors.  Please telephone us in the first instance so that we can gain an appreciation of your circumstances. CLICK HERE for our details.