Are you suffering harassment from Baycorp Collections here in Australia? We hear this as a common report and it’s time to stand up!
Australian debt collection laws in our opinion are good but still need to be improved upon to protect the consumer. There are numerous rogue operators around.
Reports of Baycorp harassment by this debt collection agency is rising, which includes aggressive behaviour, demanding attitudes and their rude staff.
In this guide, we’ll show you 10 things you can do to stop these bullies from winning.
Baycorp Harassment problems
Numerous people have contacted us with reports of Baycorp harassing them. If you read the online reviews, it seems that others are also victims too.
Sometimes though, it isn’t actually harassment at all. They are just being firm and tough. So it’s good to disseminate the differences in behaviour.
Debt collectors are the last people you’d expect to be warm, friendly and caring. Their main aim is to recover debts. It’s an industry that sucks for everyone, including them. It’s not a job at all that we’re the envy of.
Let’s look at what you can do:
1. Seek free debt help
You can speak with the National Debt Helpline on 1300 007 007 or speak to one of our friendly team members. Both are FREE and are operated by friendly teams with no judgement, anger or harassment ever given.
This often gives a bit of relief to people who have otherwise felt lots of sadness and anxiety. In the first instance, we would always recommend this government organization which has helped so many Australians.
2. Stop ignoring your phone
The problem with many people is that they keep ignoring their phone when a strange or blocked number calls. This is because they know it’s Baycorp Collections calling up and don’t want to deal with potential harassment over the phone.
When you keep ignoring your phone, they often just become more aggressive. That’s why you’re probably getting those letters in the mail, text messages, voicemails and more. Sometimes they’ll even email you every week too.
3. Look at your payment options
Would you feel comfortable with a small payment plan? Often companies like Baycorp Collections turn into really friendly folk once you stand up and say “Ok I can pay this amount each week. Is that good?”. This is because they’re used to people running away from their debt obligations.
That starts with looking at your expenses and income, and seeing whether you can propose a payment plan to them. Once you start paying, they generally just go quiet and move on to the next target.
4. Turn your Facebook profile to private
A lot of Australian debt collectors are now stalking Facebook and Instagram accounts. Why? It gives them lots of information. They can look at your photos, look at your friends and essentially see where your money is being spent, including that last holiday you took.
This makes them a bit angry and aggressive in chasing you for debt repayments. By the way…this is completely legal and encouraged in the industry! It might be too late to block your account though. They might have already stalked your entire profile last week actually. Did some random person recently try to add you? That could be a fake profile created by a debt collector.
5. Tell Baycorp that you only speak with nice people
They want a resolution to this problem as much as you do. Baycorp Collections doesn’t seek to do any harassment to its debtors, but sometimes it’s perceived as this. When speaking to someone over the phone, and their tonality turns a bit aggressive, tell them to put you on to someone nicer, either male or female.
Some debt collection agencies are now employing specialized people who can actually listen to people, instead of being demanding. They are willing to hear your side of the story. It’s rare but it does happen.
6. Get someone else to listen to those voicemails
If you’re suffering from anxiety when checking for voicemails, because you know it’s going to be yet another “Please call us urgently” type of things, then just get someone you’re close with to listen to the voicemails for you.
Your friend/family member will take the emotion out and just say things as they are, without the aggression. That way you’re really just getting the raw information. You can even do the same with those letters that come in the mail.
7. Write them a letter
We’ll never advise that you write a crafty letter that challenges their debt. The thing is: they have proof that you owe money and you gotta pay up. Instead, you can write a letter saying that you’re genuinely struggling but want to find a resolution to this problem within the coming weeks.
Why is this a good strategy? Because it will hit them by surprise and they will often become a lot more open and nicer. You might even get a discount or deduction on the money you owe them.
8. Report real instances of bullying to ACCC
If you genuinely believe that you’ve been a victim of bullying or harassment by Baycorp Collections, then Australian laws do allow you to make a formal complaint. While you can complain to the collections agency themselves, this often falls on deaf ears.
One thing you can do is lodge a complaint with the ACCC and Fair Trading. You will need to submit evidence that backs your case up. If you record phone calls, then this can help your case. You will need permission to record these phone calls first from the debt collector and often they will turn into a friendly bunch if they know they are being recorded.
9. Seek legal advice
We would always recommend people to seek legal advice regarding their individual debt situations. The Debt Free Community exists to be a resource page and marketing portal to help connect you to a fantastic mediation service.
You will have a unique situation already with your debt, and bullying can be tackled by an experienced lawyer. The thing is though that most lawyers are unwilling to get involved because in most instances, the debt collectors will win and so the lawyer doesn’t have a good chance of being paid. Plus – who’s going to pay them if you’re broke?
10. Get someone to talk to them for you
A great option that some people have done is to engage a 3rd party to do the talking over the phone. This way all the phone calls, letters and text messages can be stopped, but more so the anxiety and potential harassment that follows.
Baycorp is used to talking to mediation providers on behalf of clients and we can recommend you to a fantastic one. It’s a friendly team who will listen to your story. Lost your job? Had a toxic relationship? This is the sort of stuff that we love to hear!
We recommend that you get in touch and discuss options right now. Don’t ignore what’s happening until it’s too late.
Dealing with Baycorp
Baycorp Collections has been accused by some people of bullying, coercion and harassment in the past. We’re not entirely sure this is true since we’re soft here in Australia and it can easily be taken out of context.
See: what someone might see is harassment, is merely the tough stance that Australian debt collectors have. Horses for courses really. They just want their money back ASAP.
It’s very rare that you can sue any debt collector for harassment, let alone Baycorp. They can afford expensive lawyers and will end up costing you more in the long run. Plus – a lot of the evidence is on their side.
The worse thing is that they can come knocking on your front door as late as 9pm at night. It’s scary! They can even do this on Sundays. Completely legal by the way.
Imagine having a BBQ with friends and suddenly a debt collector is waiting outside with paperwork. Very awkward and embarrassing. Hopefully, they don’t say anything to your friends or family…but you never know.
There’s an old saying that goes: “Don’t wait…because soon it will be too late!!”
If you want someone to talk to these people on your behalf so you can get on with your life, then get in touch today. Our recommended mediation service can look after everything for you so you can avoid going to Court.
