My first encounter with a debt from Centrelink, came as a quick call from a so called Debt Collector asking for $9650 at the end of Dec, 2015.
He quickly said I owed this money to Centrelink and hung up with out any other information. I thought it was a scam and checked out a site and that said exactly that. So I ignored the phone call.
I placed my tax return in for 2013/2014 in May, and then found my refund of around $2000 has been seazed by the Government.
Then a couple of weeks later I receive my first letter every stating that I owed $9650 from 2010 to 2014. (I graduated from my course in 2014)
I proceeded to try and talk to someone at my local Centrelink Office and was directed to phone the 1800 number on the letter, which resulted in an extensive phone call explaining that they had already sent out a letter (Which went to an address I hadn't been at for about a year) and that I couldn't appeal because I hadn't taken any action from the first letter.
They then placed me onto a Debt collector who said my wages would be garnished from my present employment which they already had the information in front of them and it would start right away.
They gave me no advice on how to appeal it and were very nasty and sarcastic about the whole situation.
I began to pay the amount fortnightly, which they told me would be $100 per fortnight.
I collected as much information together and sent off asking for a review in October, 2016 and have had no reply what so ever.
I was studying my Bachelor of Early Teaching in this period and had a casual position at a Kindergarten, but when it came to my study placements and was unable to work (4 to 6 months) and needed the Youth Allowance to survive on.
The incessant phone calls from the debt collectors hasn't stopped, (I only have to miss my regular payments) and they phone my work place now, not once but up to a dozen times a day. (I have to be taken away from the children in my care and talk to the rude man on the other end of the line).
I am in the process of taking my case to the local member of parliament to see if you can assist in the difficult situation that is not going away.
They even discovered that I had done some relief work at another Government job and phoned and asked to have that whole pay garnished to pay the debt.
This whole situation has caused sleepiness nights, panic attacks and anxiety attacks.
The harassment from the debt collectors has been incredible and exhausting to say the least. They are relentless.
I have not been able to converse with anyone about the review I requested (which has been over 4 months ago) or be able to contacst anyone on the new phone numbers they have put on the newest letters. All I receive is an update of the balance of my debt.
The inhumane approach they have taken if disgusting and so unprofessional.
There has been so much in the media stating exactly what I was going through. Because mine occurred a year earlier, I thought I was the only one and struggling to find any support or assistance in discussing the situation.
All I know is that the debt collectors are relentless with their phone calls to my work and my personal phone.
It is amazing that it if from 6 years ago and why wasn't it picked up on my first tax return, some one is not doing a very thorough job.
Why should they target people who are trying to better themselves through education and to contribute to society , by being educated only to be shot down by the government. Their loyalties certainly are in the wrong place.
If their is money I owe I would certainly like to discuss it with someone, just not have my wages garnished and my tax returns taken all the time.
I feel very worn out and exhausted and let down by the system.