Panthera Faces Legal Action for Alleged Debt Collection Violations in Victoria
- Debt collector Panthera has been charged for violating a ban imposed by the Victoria state due to previous consumer harassment.
- This blacklisting followed a federal court ruling in 2020, which affirmed that Panthera engaged in aggressive tactics to collect disputed debts.
- The recent charges highlight ongoing concerns about consumer protection and the accountability of debt collection agencies.
Australia's largest privately owned debt collection agency, Panthera, has been charged by Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) for allegedly violating a ban on its operations in the state. The regulator announced the legal action on Monday, asserting that Panthera Finance engaged in debt collection activities despite being prohibited from doing so under Victorian fair trading laws. The ban on Panthera was instituted following a federal court ruling in March 2020, which found the firm had harassed consumers over disputed debts, contravening Australian Consumer Law. Although Panthera could have sought special permission to operate from the Business Licensing Authority in Victoria, CAV stated that the company failed to pursue this option. Nicole Rich, director of CAV, emphasized the importance of legal compliance in debt collection, particularly as many individuals face financial difficulties amid rising cost-of-living pressures. She highlighted the vulnerability of consumers to unethical debt collection practices and reaffirmed CAV's commitment to enforcing Victoria's debt collection protections. The case against Panthera is set for a filing hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on August 19. The company has been contacted for comment regarding the charges.