All trademarks are owned by their respective owners.OzBargain is an independent community website which has no association with nor endorsement by the respective trademark owners. What can Panthera Finance do to collect debts. "I don't have that sort of money.". Those letters, text messages and phone calls can be stopped within days. Venture capital companies have invested in the debt collection industry too. So, this morning a mail has come to me from Panthera Finance asking me to pay $570 on to them for Energy Australia. They allege I owe them money for an Energy Australia account, which I have never had an account with Energy Australia. Over an 18-month period, Panthera at first refused to communicate in writing, and instead called me up to three times a day for weeks on end. However, I do have a spreadsheet that shows me that I last paid Energy Australia $250 in June 2014. She thinks an overhaul of the system is in order: "What we need is specific legislation covering the debt collection industry as a whole," she says. The ACCC alleges that Panthera Finance repeatedly contacted the three consumers for the payment of the disputed debts despite being advised that they were not liable for the debts, and in two cases placed an incorrect default listing on the consumers credit rating files. In 2017, Champ Private Equity bought into Panthera Finance, valuing the company at $300 million. Demand they communicate with you only in writing (on paper). The Panthera case is just one example. 10 online scams you need to know about. I plan on calling them tomorrow and finding out whats what, because I'm 95% certain I owe nothing. nQt}MA0alSx k&^>0|>_',G! Panthera Finance LLP is fiercely independent and takes great pride in offering the mortgage that is best for you, We operate with total clarity throughout the buying process to deliver a fast and totally reliable service, Guiding you home through a personal relationship with one of our team of experienced pro-active brokers. They told him to contact Panthera. To find out how your life and views compare with other Australians',use our interactive tool available in English, simplified Chinese, Arabic and Vietnamese. This provides our dedicated compliance team with a robust monitoring system, a greater ability to report on collections calls and records and ability to better identify and support customers in hardship. The deal marks a busy period for CHAMP. This means we purchase debts from banks, phone and internet providers, power companies and other credit providers. The contingent collectors issue "has probably been magnified with more telcos and energy companies outsourcing their debt collection," Guthrie says. Suddenly, I had become one of thousands of Australians each year who are faced with a disputed debt. Fortunately, the Melbourne-based consumer rights organisation Consumer Action got involved, and Mary was able to settle her debt for about half of what the debt collector had demanded. 112 0 obj <>stream Panthera later accepted AFCA's finding in Mr Lenzo's favour and agreed to pay him compensation. I found this forum with a Google search. HyTSwoc [5laQIBHADED2mtFOE.c}088GNg9w '0 Jb Debt collectors including Panthera Finance can only contact you up to 3 times per week or 10 individual times per month for a single debt. Stock images:Getty, unless otherwise stated. ARL Collect is a credit recovery solutions provider, offering a range of collections options for organisations and government agencies. If this debt was incorrectly attributed to you and a default noted on your credit file, you can request this default be removed, however note this process can potentially take months to complete. Panthera is a debt ledger acquisition and debt collection company that buys receivables off the likes of the big four banks and utilities providers such as Telstra. He is CeMAP qualified. Any fine they might get is unlikely to change business practices, because business as usual appears to make debt collection very profitable. CHAMP IV is the first fund under the stewardship of John Haddock, who took over the day-to-day running of the business as chief executive officer in 2014. More than this is considered harassment, and you might be able to sue them. For over 15 years, we have provided affordable and flexible credit management solutions that empower customers to restore their financial health. This is a great extrinsic motivation. Ask us to step in! In 2017, Champ Private Equity bought into Panthera Finance, valuing the company at $300 million. Copyright 2006-2023 OzBargain ABN: 26 144 073 772, Mysterious Outstanding Bill Notification From Panthera Finance, numerous complaints about them on the net. Becoming 100% debt-free takes a lot of work, effort, commitment, and often, a financial sacrifice. It often violates the guidelines, since debt collectors aren't supposed to discuss the debt with anyone but the debtor.). I can confirm that Panthera Finance is a legitimate collection agency. The investment is expected to fund Panthera's growth. If you are experienced and can work independently you can work from home. Get the inside story on our investigations into consumer rip-offs and bad business practices. staff are welcoming and inclusive. AFCA ruled in my favour, awarding me 80 per cent of the maximum amount in compensation. Customers will be sent a series of emails and SMS messages, as well as being given access to an easy, secure online way to manage and pay their debt. Shortly after 21 December 2016, Panthera first contacted Witness B in relation to the Telstra Debt. ", (The tactic is known as 'skip tracing', where debt collectors call anyone who might know the person they're after, including neighbours and employers or Facebook connections. There are no consequences for selling debt that remains in dispute. Call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 for free and confidential advice. They called my husband at work. That same year, parent company, PF Australia Pty Ltd, reported a $22.4 million profit on revenues of $58.4 million. It is also claimed in the alternative that Panthera breached the Australian Securities and Investment Commission Act by engaging in the same conduct. Or is someone using my name under my old apartment? We recommend that you address this, even if you think its not your debt. Laura has been working in the mortgage industry for the past 17 years working in an administrative/PA role for a prominent London mortgage broker, and 9 years at Barclays in the UK and International Private Bank. My wife's son has received a claim from Panthera. I too have been receiving misc xero style invoices from various 'big name' companies (e.g Telstra, Energy Australia), that I know I have no association with. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. Panthera Finance LLP is fiercely independent and takes great pride in offering the mortgage that is best for you We operate with total clarity throughout the buying process to deliver a fast and totally reliable service Guiding you home through a personal relationship with one of our team of experienced pro-active brokers wG xR^[ochg`>b$*~ :Eb~,m,-,Y*6X[F=3Y~d tizf6~`{v.Ng#{}}jc1X6fm;'_9 r:8q:O:8uJqnv=MmR 4 We invest heavily in compliance, complaints procedures, training and customer experience. Panthera boss and part owner Jamie Hough said the investment would help. Panthera Finance is a debt collection company which buys debts off other businesses who are owed money. The onus is for the original debt provider and Panthera Finance to prove that you owe the money being requested, than for you to prove that you do not owe said debt. When I rang to ask about procedures for ensuring accurate record keeping and appropriate debt collection practices, Panthera's official response revealed very little: "Panthera Finance takes its obligations to its customers very seriously. ", She added: "We are extremely disappointed that parts of the debt collection industry continue to disrespect consumers. Businesses, particularly in the debt collection industry, are warned that harassing consumers is unacceptable under any circumstances and can result in significant penalties, Ms Court said. "But that isn't adequate.". Bill Chaser is an easy to use, risk-free online automated collections platform, built for business Aldermary House, 10-15 Queen Street, London EC4N 1TX+44 (0) 208 629 8170contact@panthera.co.uk. All rights reserved.Privacy Policy. Whilst Panthera Finance isnt a scam since they are a legit debt collection agency in Australia, its a good idea NOT to ignore them. This way you can deal with debt collectors like Panthera Finance. But we can help sort it out so they never call you again! Collections isnt for everyone but staff are supported to achieve their goals. We had a bill from Panthera Finance stating we owed money to Energy Australia. 91 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<67EC803A3CDD1DE50B064399B9D73164>]/Index[79 34]/Info 78 0 R/Length 79/Prev 337865/Root 80 0 R/Size 113/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream She loves attending concerts and also volunteers at her local hospital radio station as an evening DJ. x- [ 0}y)7ta>jT7@t`q2&6ZL?_yxg)zLU*uSkSeO4?c. R -25 S>Vd`rn~Y&+`;A4 A9 =-tl`;~p Gp| [`L` "AYA+Cb(R, *T2B- We dont ask you for money upfront, and were very nice too. Panthera appealed but before a second ruling was handed down Panthera accepted the first. @Baysew: We tried the email - they would not provide any information. Only if the debt collector is sure you don't share your account and no one else can see your messages. Report. They appear to be complicit in a scam. But if you know its your debt, then we can help. The company was seeking to raise $20 million in a placement to sophisticated and professional investors via stockbroker Morgans on Wednesday. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'thedebtfreecommunity_com_au-box-3','ezslot_4',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thedebtfreecommunity_com_au-box-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'thedebtfreecommunity_com_au-box-3','ezslot_5',125,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thedebtfreecommunity_com_au-box-3-0_1'); .box-3-multi-125{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}The debt collectors from Panthera Finance are chasing you! if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thedebtfreecommunity_com_au-box-4','ezslot_1',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thedebtfreecommunity_com_au-box-4-0');Some of these debt collection tactics are purely dodgy. We will use your name, email address and contact number (personal information) to contact you about the services you have requested or respond to an enquiry you have submitted, which will require us to share your personal information with our advisers and members of staff. Fantastic culture with great office perks and incentives. I'll skip steps 2 and 3 here, 'cause it ain't your debt. But a few weeks later I received a bill for about $1,900. endstream endobj 83 0 obj <>stream Founders Bill Ferris and Joe Skrzynski are co-chairmen of the investment committee. I'd say your first plan of attack should be to discuss this with Energy Australia - find out if you really do owe them anything, and the details thereof. Perhaps unpaid credit card repayments, loan arrears and bills which are well past their due dates. w(Wg8aFV4K bW@H3=|MmV(@ AZ Debt collector Panthera Finance will face Federal Court over claims it harassed customers for debts they never had. As part of the ABC'sAustralia Talks project, we are asking people to share their experiences of life in Australia. /Fm0 Do But as someone on the receiving end of Panthera's debt collection methods, I don't feel I have been treated with fairness or sensitivity. Continue Reading More by The Debt-Free Community, Read this to STOP debt collectors in Australia from contacting you now! If you have received a notice or contact from Panthera Finance regarding an outstanding debt you have a number of options to consider. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it. Born and raised in Scotland, Jamie studied Spanish and Politics at Newcastle University and spent time living in Mexico before moving to London to embark on a career in mortgages in 2007. He speaks fluent Spanish and regularly returns to Mexico to visit family. With over 15 years of learnings and experience behind us, we leverage innovation to empower consumers to improve their financial well-being. Less than six months later, the company was sold for $40 million. Beyond Debt is a trading name of DCS Group Aust. They can only contact you between 7:30am and 9pm on weekdays. But I felt sure the bill was incorrect: I had paid all the invoices sent to that apartment and $1900 seemed a large amount to be undercharged over just nine months. We work hard to help everyday Australians to work through the hurdles. the debt was incurred in 2010 i had to deal with them in 2015 ( hence me requiring evidence of what was owed which they promised but never supplied), When Phil Anselmo comes to collect, youd better pay up. There are many complaints about Panthera Finance and their debt recovery efforts through letters and threatening court action. Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. Find out more about fact-checking at CHOICE. We offer a comprehensive range of mortgage products from across the market. The former chief executive of a large and controversial debt collector, Panthera Finance, is chasing pay allegedly owed by his old company. hbbd```b``"@$*0DHH ,"SDN6E$L@M``+-@ ! Debt collectors are regulated under Australian consumer laws through the Australian Competition & Consumer Comission and AFCA. Media Team - 1300 138 917, media@accc.gov.au, Debt collector Panthera to pay $500,000 in penalties for undue harassment, Not receiving products or services that are paid for, Receiving unrequested products or services, Problem with a product or service you bought, Unauthorised transfer of phone or internet services, Supplying products or services that are paid for, Supplying unrequested products or services, Problem with a product or service you sold, Competing fairly in professional services, Competition and anti-competitive behaviour, Collective bargaining and collective boycotts, Implementing a business compliance program, Electricity market monitoring inquiry 2018-25, Postal services price notification and monitoring, Interstate rail network access undertaking, Hunter Valley rail network access undertaking, International liner cargo shipping regulation, Telecommunications industry record keeping and reporting rules, National Broadband Network (NBN) access regulation, Non-NBN fixed line services access regulation, Superfast fixed line broadband networks regulation, Transmission services and facility access regulation, Telstra's migration of fixed line services, Regional mobile infrastructure inquiry 2022-23, Exemption from parts of the wheat port code, The development of bulk wheat exports regulation, Digital platform services inquiry 2020-2025, Retail electricity pricing inquiry 2017-2018, Feminine hygiene products price monitoring, Foreign currency conversion services inquiry, Murray-Darling Basin water markets inquiry, Residential mortgage products price inquiry, Digital platform services inquiry 2020-25, Digital advertising services inquiry report, MVIS information for data providers, repairers and RTOs, Authorisations and notifications registers, Collective bargaining notifications register, Resale price maintenance notifications register, Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, UniSA & ACCC Competition Law & Economics Workshop, Mergers & Competition Exemptions consultations, Cookies, website analytics & other website information, Industry ombudsmen and dispute resolution. 2021 Panthera Finance Group. I know this is an old post but would like to put my experience on here. We can help, and we want to help! free barista coffees and office incentives. Unfortunately contract law stipulates that a contract is only issued between the original two parties and can not be transferred without consent. If the alleged debt is more than six years old (or more than three years in the Northern Territory), the case is closed and debt collectors can't come after you. That is an affordable payment plan to get debts resolved. The ACCC first took court action against Panthera in July 2019. Simon started his career in the Fire Service,becoming the youngest serving Fire Officer byage 21. All rights reserved. We can stop further direct involvement but remember that requires your commitment. Finally, human resources software company LiveHire Ltd has joined the pre-Christmas rush for fresh funds. The company had $144.9 million assets and $77.6 million liabilities as at June 30. Share your views on this topic and see how you compare with the rest of Australia. Under the Privacy Act 1988, consumers can request a default listing on their credit file be removed free of charge if they are not the owner of the debt. Certain debt collection agencies will have specialised contracts with certain institutions to handle all of their debt collection requirements. We are extremely disappointed that parts of the debt collection industry continue to disrespect consumers. The ACCC has instituted proceedings against debt collection agency Panthera Finance Pty Ltd alleging it unduly harassed three consumers over debts they did not owe. Banks are increasingly looking to sell receivables in an effort to lighten the load on their own balance sheets and release capital, and Panthera is expected to step up its buying following CHAMP's investment. You might have to go to court. Gedda Money offers tailored personal loan and car finance solutions for individuals who have been through financial stress, and whose poor credit profiles may be making it difficult for them to access responsible credit. Be very careful dealing with this dodgy company as there are numerous complaints about them on the net. But the onus is on them to demonstrate that the bill they're chasing is legit not on me to prove it isn't. Theft happens sometimes, so it might be your fault at all. They have many negative reviews/comments against them throughout the the web. LiveHire was offering new shares at $1.05 each, with proceeds to accelerate growth. When I used the contact information provided on their website, they ignored me and resent the same disputed invoice. We care about accuracy. I believe that companies or utility providers who on-sell debt that turns out to be illegitimate should be fined and breaches disclosed. Theres now greater consumer protection laws to protect the Aussie battler. Recently I have received another letter about the same account, I rang them this time at first with some choice words and demanding that I never had this account. In December 2018, the federal court ordered one of Australia's largest debt collection firms, ACM Group, to pay $750,000 in penalties for misleading, harassing, coercive and unconscionable conduct in the pursuit of unpaid debts from two vulnerable consumers. Help using this website - Accessibility statement. If youve received a letter in the mail or SMS about some old debt with Panthera Finance, its probably from Optus, Simply Energy, AGL or Energy Australia. They hope that youll pick up the phone. In the end i raised a complaint with the Water and Electricity Ombudsman (or what ever its called) Panthera Finance was proud to be a supporter for the recently held Financial Counsellors' Association of NSW Inc (FCAN) first virtual conference. Theres a reason for this: YOUR CREDIT FILE. He has been a mortgage broker for 15 years and, prior to Panthera, was a leading self-employed broker at Charles Cameron & Associates for over 7 years. Fiona Guthrie, chief executive of Financial Counselling Australia, says the debt collection industry "has some good players and, sadly, some not so good players". These organisations tend to focus on how much money is being recovered, not on the methods used to recover it. name@example.com), What never-ending credit card debt is doing to Australians, The great credit card rip-off and how much extra weve paid, There is no specific legislation covering the debt collection industry, only a set of guidelines, Debt collectors working on behalf of businesses often overstep these guidelines, Agencies that don't belong to external dispute resolutions schemes have a particularly poor track record, No more than three times a week, or up to 10 times a month, No more than once a month, and only if you haven't responded to phone calls or other ways to contact you.
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