Debt collecting giant Panthera charged for allegedly flouting operating ban in Victoria
A blacklisting was imposed on the company in 2020 after a federal court found it had harassed consumers to pay disputed debts
June 2024
Debt collection giant Panthera puts large parts of its business into administration
A Guardian Australia investigation has revealed Panthera had circumvented blacklisting designed to stop it operating in Victoria
May 2024
‘Insidious and unsavoury’: how private debt collectors push vulnerable Australians to breaking point
Victims say they have been subjected to constant phone calls, harassment of friends and family members – and even misleading and false threats
Know your rights: what to do if you receive a call from a debt collector
As the cost-of-living crisis drives more people to financial stress, it helps to understand the rules that cover debt collecting
Former debt collector reveals Australian industry’s dark secrets
Why Guardian Australia is investigating the private debt collection industry
Revealed: How an Australian debt collection giant dodged its own blacklisting
March 2024
‘I just kept paying’: Indigenous people are being exploited by businesses using Centrepay debit scheme
Many of those who sign up are from regional or remote communities, speak English as a second or third language and have limited access to clothing, household goods and services
January 2024
Top Australian debt collector still operating in Victoria despite blacklisting
Exclusive: Consumer Affairs Victoria investigating Panthera, which was fined $500,000 in 2020 after pursuing debts from people who were not liable
July 2023
Debt collectors face calls to return $11.6m retrieved under unlawful robodebt scheme
Figure paid by federal government for private collection services described as ‘shameful’
May 2023
Queenslanders chased by debt collectors to pay for Covid tests they believed were free
Brisbane father says there was no mention of cost by staff at drive-through site but he received a $360 bill for three tests
April 2023
Albanese government axing external debt collectors in bid to prevent another robodebt
Welfare debt reform means citizens are no longer ‘guilty until proven innocent’, says government services minister Bill Shorten
March 2023
Robodebt: five years of lies, mistakes and failures that caused a $1.8bn scandal
I’m still angry at the architects of robodebt, and furious that they have faced no consequences
Nathan Kearney
October 2022
Inequality reporting
Legal doubts over robodebt raised with government department in 2014, inquiry hears
Inequality reporting
Robodebt: key public officials and debt collectors to appear as royal commission kicks off
August 2021
First Dog on the Moon
The government is sending debt collectors after people who are choosing between food and medicine
First Dog on the Moon
Once again Australia I am absolutely furious. And tired, so very tired
May 2021
Robodebt victims referred to debt collectors even after government admitted scheme was unlawful
Services Australia tells Senate inquiry it continued accepting repayments from more than 123,500 people after November 2019
January 2021
Dreams interrupted
Young people drowning in debt: 'Don't borrow your way out of a recession'
It’s getting harder for young people to establish themselves as independent adults. Irresponsible lending practices will threaten that even more
December 2020
Private debt collectors face penalties for failing to claw back enough money from Centrelink recipients
Agencies handed government contracts by Services Australia will be subjected to ‘specific performance targets’ in move that has drawn comparisons with robodebt scandal
