Using a debt collection dispute letter
If you have received a letter of demand from a debt collector for a debt that isn’t yours or is for more than you owe, you should take steps to challenge it. One of the best ways to do so is with a debt collection dispute letter - a formal response outlining why you are disputing the amount claimed.
What can a debt collector legally do?
There are rules and regulations governing debt collection in Australia. While businesses and individuals are entitled to seek money they are owed, it is important to ask what can a debt collector legally do to ensure your rights are not infringed in the process.
What is a PayID business account scam?
If you are one of the millions of Australians using PayID, you have probably chosen it because of a mixture of convenience and security. But you can be vulnerable to a PayID business account scam – whether you have a business account or not.
Beware the PayID scam marketplace
As the cost of living bites in homes across the country, many Australians are turning to Facebook Marketplace to raise a bit of extra cash. But be warned: it has also become the PayID scam marketplace.
Bill scam: Why you should check invoice details before paying
If you received an email invoice from a business you were expecting, would you just pay it online without thinking? Or would you call to check the bank details with the supplier first?
Fuel fight: What vehicle efficiency standards mean for you
Are you looking to buy a new car? The rising cost of fuel will undoubtedly be factored into the choice you make - a more efficient car means less money at the bowser, after all.
Smart money: How to avoid PayID scams
Have you heard about PayID scams? Perhaps you or a friend have fallen foul of the electronic payment system?
More than 18 million Australians have signed up to use PayID since its launch six years ago. The attraction is simple: it’s easy to use, free, and money is transferred quickly – whether you’re paying or being paid. The unique identifier (the ID part) is linked to your bank account and you only need a mobile number or email (and an ABN or CBN if you’re a business) to send and receive money.
The Australian Banking Association maintains it’s one of the most important steps customers can take to prevent scams, but the mobile-friendly service hasn’t been immune to scammers. Even the tech-savvy younger generation - least likely to be caught in other financial scams - has been caught out.
Online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are popular hunting grounds for PayID scams.
Buckle up: Tips to trim the budget this Christmas
Are you feeling the pinch? Perhaps you’ve already cut back on discretionary spending. Or are contemplating a much more frugal Christmas season.
You’re not alone. New research shows while Australians are tipped to spend almost $5 billion on online shopping in the leadup to Christmas this year, almost half of those surveyed are planning to spend less than the same time in 2022. And almost 80 percent said they plan to cut back on non-essential spending in the same period.
Hot property: Do you own some hidden treasure? Part 2
If you haven't read our previous article on collectibles, start there. It gives a solid introduction to what we'll discuss next: what makes certain items so special and potentially valuable. With that foundation set, you might now ask: Is diving into
Hot property: Do you own some hidden treasure? Part 1
If you’re a serious collector, chances are you’re not prepared to part with anything in your possession without good reason.
But what if you found out something that’s been gathering dust on top of a shelf or hidden in boxes under the stairs was highly collectible and therefore valuable? Perhaps it’s the coin or stamp collection you started when you were a kid and abandoned when you discovered the Xbox?