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    Rules of conduct when pursuing a debt

    When pursuing a debt there are strict rules which apply to your behaviour.

    YOU MUST NOT:

    • demand money without saying who you are and how much money is owed
    • demand more money than is actually owed
    • continue to demand money from someone who denies they owe money without making further inquiries as to whether your demands for the money are valid
    • contact people who know the debtor, for example a debtor’s employer, friends, relatives or neighbours, unless you are doing so to get the debtor’s address
    • blackmail a debtor – this includes threatening, or making reference to, possible criminal proceedings if the debt is not paid
    • pretend to be authorised in some official capacity to claim or enforce payment of a debt

    This behaviour is likely to anger the debtor will not be as effective as being polite, and may be illegal. A letter of request is a way of formally asking for payment of the debt. It is not a necessary step in commencing legal action.

    See Fair Trading Act 1974 s 43

    See also ASIC's Regulatory Guide 96 Debt collection guideline: for collectors and creditors.

    Rules of conduct when pursuing a debt  :  Last Revised: Fri Jun 10th 2022
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