devils-advocate-june-2013v3.pdf

7/27/2019 Devils-Advocate-June-2013v3.pdf

1/32

ExecutiveOfficersReport 3

PeterGartlan

RanktheBanks:NationalReportLaunch

ScottPape 45

ConsumersFederation:ConsumerReport

AmeliaEddy &GordonRenouf 6

FinancialCounsellingAustralia Update 8

HESSProgramme

9

MicrofinanceUpdate 1011

Diplomaandtrainingupdates 12,13&20

MoneySmartWeek2013 13

ITSAUpdate 1415

NewsfromtheTIO 1617

FinancialAbuseasDomesticViolence 18

ProhibitedDebtCollectionPractices 19

MalcolmBuchanan

EnergyForum 22

ConsumerResources:Scams 24

Careers 2629

DiaryDates 30

Devils

Advocate

J U N E 2 0 1 3 - I S S U E 2 2 1

JOURNAL OF THE FINANCIAL AND

CONSUMER RIGHTS COUNCIL.

ADVANCING THE RIGHTS OF VULNERAB LE

VICTORIANS.

OutsmartingScammers!

FraudWeek2013

IfItoldyouIwasataconferencewhereoneofthefirstthingsmentionedwasthe

figureof$93millioninlosses,whatwouldyousupposewasbeingdiscussed?

ThedownturnofAustralianmanufacturing? Miningindustryscaremongeringovera

carbontax? Nope,thisfigurerepresentsthelosstosmallbusinessandindividuals

justlikeyouandIwhohavebeenpreyeduponbyscammers. AND,thestorygets

evenscarier.Weretalkingabouta65%INCREASEinonlineshoppingscams.

OnbehalfofFCRC,IattendedtheACCCsNationalFraud

Weekforum,

Outsmarting

the

Scammers.

Oneofthespeakers,RussellSmith,fromtheAustralian

InstituteofCriminologyinformedusthatrecentresearch

bytheInstituteindicatesthatdespitethesealarming

figure,agreatdealisstillgoingunreported. Thetoptwo

reasonsfornotreportingscamsisthattheyaredismissed

bysavvyconsumerswhohavealreadyheardaboutit

throughthemediaorrecognisedthescamthrough

experience. Becausetheyhaverecognisedthemand

avoidedfallingvictimthemselves,theydontreportthem. Butforeverypersonwho

clicksdelete,thereareotherswhodont. Thisiswherespeakersagreedthat

educationwas

akey

to

changing

behaviour

online.

Butwhoisresponsibleforthisinaconsumerenvironmentwherepeoplearenot

usedtoassertingtheirrights? Whilegovernmentandindustryallhavetheirroleto

play,communityeducationoftenfallstothecommunitysector. Ifwearetobe

awareenoughtoinformandeducateourclients,thenwetooshouldbearmedwith

thebestpossibleresources.Infact,Iwasgivenabagfullofthemjustforshowingup

ontheday. Theresyourusualmagnets,pensandcalendarsinthere,butalsothe

incrediblyusefulLittleBlackBookofScams. Already125,000copieshavebeensent

outtoconsumers. Itsapocketsizedguidetorecognizing,avoidingandreporting

eventhesneakiest,welldesignedandgenuinelookingscams. Doesyourservice

havesometogiveout?

Gotowww.scamwatch.gov.au tofindoutmore.


2/32

Gotsomething

tosay?

TheDevilsAdvocate

acceptscontributions

fromfinancial

counsellors,lawyers,

relatedcommunity

sectororganisations,

government

departmentsand

industry bodies.

Thedeadlineforthe

nexteditionis

August13th.

Submissionscanbe

directedto

[email protected].

Articlescanalsobe

submittedtotheDAs

sisterpublication,the

FCRCGazette.Itis

generallycirculatedon

amonthlybasis.

Allsubmissionsare

subjecttothe

oversightoureditorial

board.

Wedliketothank all

contributorstothis

edition.

2


3/32

Board

Members

Chair:

MariaTurnbull

Treasurer:

AnnaDooland

Secretary:

KayDilger

Board

Members:

AnnetteDevereaux

ColinHandreck

LynnWhite

SueCarroll

JuneBlamires

ExternalBoard

Members:

AngelaKyriakopoulos

LouiseHicks

StaffMembers

ExecutiveOfficer:

PeterGartlan

Trainingand

Development:

BernadettePasco

Communicationsand

Member

Liaison:

DanielleArcher

Accounts:

RonRowley

Membership

Processing Temp:

ChristieDunn

3

WhenIlefthomethismorningitwas

minusfivedegrees.Thewoodfirewasstackedleavingthehousetoastywarm.Thefireisonday

andnightforsixmonthsayearandIamfortunate

tohavesomedeadtreesontheblock,whichmeans

thecostofmyheatingbillisthelabourforchopping,

splitting

and

stacking.

MostVictoriansarenotsoluckyandforfinancial

counsellors,wintermeanshigherenergybills.How

isitthatdespitecompetitionanddespitearelatively

lowinflationrateconsumerscontinuetoreceive

increasesintheirbills?Cantheygetmore

expensive?

TheUKprimeminister,DavidCameronwasrecently

quotedassayingthateveryconsumershouldbeon

thebesttariff.Ifonlythiswasthecase.Victoriahas

17electricityretailersandthereisnoshortageof

marketersurging

you

to

switch

to

their

product.

If

priceisthemajordeterminantforswitching,one

wondershowmanyconsumersreceivedabetter

deal.

Financialcounsellingandemergencyreliefagencies

seethedailyimpactofhigherenergypricesandthe

impactpovertyhasonrisingdisconnections.We

hearreportsofpublichousingpropertiesinrural

Victoriathatareenergyinefficient,lowincome

consumerspayinghighertariffs.Youtellusstoriesof

inappropriatepaymentproposals,noncompliance

byretailers

with

hardship

procedures,

inappropriate

disconnections, anddifficultiesinaccessingretailer

hardshipprograms.

Thereareprogramsthatmakeanimpact.Kildonan

UnitingCare,whoadministertheHomeEnergy

SavingsScheme,HESS,estimatesthat1400kilowatt

hourscanbesavedannuallywithacombinationof

retrofittingandadvicetochangesinconsumption

patterns.

Overthenextfewmonths,FCRCisgoingtoincrease

itsinvolvementinutilityissues.FCswillbeinvitedto

participateinarangeofeffortsdesignedtoimprove

yourcapacitytoassistyourclients.Thesewill

includeprofessional developmentandtraining

opportunities.

Foryour

part

we

ask

you

to

start

documenting

some

storiesofclientsthathavesoughtyourassistance.

Risingenergycostsisanissuethataffectsall

Victoriansandfinancialcounsellorsareanexcellent

barometertocontributetothisdebate.

Inthemeantime,thepeakbodyforemergency

reliefworkers,CISVICwroteanexcellentsummary

oftheVictorianenergymarket.Gototheirwebsite

andlookattheirAugust2012newsletter.

www.cisvic.org.au

WouldyoulikecopiesoftheHESS

programmeflyer,aspicturedonthe

previouspage,todistributetoyour

clients?

PleasecontactJoannaLeece,Senior

Manager,FinancialInclusion&

Energyon0394125716

ExecutiveOfficers

Report:

Peter

Gartlan


4/32

4

RanktheBanksbyScottPape.

Scottlaunched

the

Rank

the

Banks

report

as

theFinancialCounsellingAustraliaconference

lastmonth. Fromhisregularcolumn,The

BarefootInvestor,HeraldSun

Now,letmetellyouaboutadifferenttypeofprotector

financialcounsellorsandastrangebuttruestoryof

howacoupleofoverworked,underpaidrenegades

battledthemultibilliondollarbanks...andwon.

Thestandardwaytoattackthebanksistocomplain

abouthowmuchprofittheymake.Butletsbe

honestbankbashingstoriestakingthisapproachhave

losttheirpunchtheyreclichs.Therealityisthatif

yourearegularpunterandyoufeelthatyouregetting

arawdealfromyourbank,allyouneedtodoisshop

aroundandfindabetterdeal.Withlendinggrowthat

generationallows,thebanksarefightingeachotherfor

yourbusiness.

Butifyouve

fallen

on

hard

times

have

aterminal

illness,beenretrenchedfromyour40yearjob,or

graduatedintoatightlabourmarketitsatotally

differentstory.

Thebankscanbebastards,andtheonlyalternatives

arenotreallyalternativesatall.Rathertheyre

businessesthathangoutattheburninggatesof

financialhell:CashConverters,AmazingLoans,

Money3,andpaydaypredatoryloansharkshopsthat

specialiseinthedebtmerrygoroundofmisery.

Andits

important

to

understand

that

financial

hardshipisntsomethingthatjusthappensover

there.Fromyearsofwritingthiscolumn,Icantellyou

ithappenstopeopleeveryday,everywhere:

Yougotothedoctorforacheckupandarediagnosed

withaggressivecancer.

Youdevelopagamblingaddiction(TomWaterhouse

knowswhatpunterswant).

Youloseyourjob.Youloseyourselfrespect.Youcant

get

another.

Yourhusbandbeatsyou,andyoufleewithyourkids.

Inallthesecases,depressionoftenensues.Andwhile

youstrugglewiththeblackdog,thepenaltyfeesand

interestcompounds.Andthatswhenanotforprofit

financialcounsellorstepsin.Theystandinyourcorner,

andnegotiatewiththebanksonyourbehalf.

Andfortheirhardworkanddedication,mostofthese

counsellorsgetpaidlessthanbanktellers(especially

whenyoufactorinthebonusestellersmakefor

floggingcreditcards).Yetthesecounsellorsareuniquelyqualifiedtoshinealightonhowthebanks

treattheirmostvulnerablecustomers.Youmightsay

theyaretheultimatefinancialalpacas.

Andthatstheideabehindthebunchofrenegades

standingfirmlybehindtheannualRanktheBanks

Report:insteadofbeatingthebanksoverthehead,

theycreatedpositivecompetitionbyrankingthem

accordingtotheirabilitytoshowmercyandhumility.


5/32

Lastyear

the

Financial

Counsellors

Association

ran

apilot

surveyinVictoria.Whentheyreleasedtheresults,ANZ

wereunhappywiththeirranking,andmadepositive

stepstomovethemselvesoffthebottomoftherankings

thisyearandthankfullyforallinvolvedtheyachieved

itbyinvestingintheirhardshipprocesses.

Andthiswasnttheonlyrankingsystemunveiledthis

week cuetheBrandZTop100MostValuableGlobal

BrandsbymarketingconglomerateWPP.

Itfound

that

three

of

Australia's

big

four

banks

were

amongthemostvaluablebrandsintheworld:

Commonwealthsbrandvaluewas$US17.7billion,ANZ

(US16.6billion),andWestpac($US10.1billion).

Ironically,oneoftheworldsmostvaluablebrands,the

CBArankedastheworstbankforbattlerstodealwithof

thebigfour,accordingtoRanktheBank.(Ofthesecond

tierbanksthatwerealsoranked,aspecialmentiongoes

toCitibankandMacquariewhowerethebottomofthe

barrel).

IwasproudtolaunchthefirstnationalRanktheBank

reportinSydneyearlierthisweek,andsalutethemfor

theirhardwork.Eventhoughthefinancialcounsellors

couldntaffordtoprintthereporttheycouldrest

assuredthatthebigbanksarerightnowworkingout

howtogetthemselvesoffthebottomofthetablesnext

year

Soifyoureworriedaboutfinancialfoxes,callthe

nationwideFinancialCounsellingAustraliahotlineon

1800007007.Whenyoucombinetheirexpertcounsel

lingwithyourownAlpacastyledintensity,youcan

achieveanything.

5

TheBanks,

Ranked

:

Outoftenhowgoodareour

bigbanksattreating

battlers?

NAB6.2

ANZ

5.9

Westpac5

CBA4.4

Source:

RanktheBankReport,2013


6/32

Consumersratefood,energyandsecurity

onlineas

biggest

concerns

Sowhatissuesdoconsumersthinkarethemost

important?InOctober2012,theCFAConsumerIssues

Surveyaskedconsumerstoratetherelativeimportance

ofcommonconsumerproblems.Therewere591

respondentstothesurvey.

Broadconcerns:Food,utilitiesandhealth

care

Thesurveyaskedconsumerstorateeightbroadareas

ofconsumerconcern.Allwereratedasimportantor

veryimportantbyalargemajorityofrespondents

(morethan80%).Food,affordabilityofutilitiesand

healthcarewereratedhighest,witharound95%of

consumersconsideringthemtobeveryimportantor

important.

Individualissues

Thesurveysoughtconsumersviewsaboutindividual

issueswithinfood,energyandcommunicationsand

invitedthemtosuggestotherissuesofimportance.

Privacyandsecurityonlinewasthesinglemost

importantcurrentissuewith79%ofconsumersranking

itasveryimportant.Butwhenaskedaboutemerging

issues, healthandenergypricesweremuchmore

frequentlynominated.

Misleadinginformationaboutfood(healthclaims,

productionmethods)wassecondmostlikelytobe

ratedasveryimportantorimportant.Foodlabelling

reformwasalsothesecondmostpopularcurrent

consumercampaignoffivenoted.

Currentcampaigns

Ofconsumercampaignscurrentatthetimeofthe

survey,CHOICEsTakethePowerbackcampaignwas

ratedmostimportant,followedbyfoodlabelling

reform.

Emergingthemes

Whilethesurveyexploredfood,communicationsand

energyinmoredetailthanotherareas,anumberof

crosscuttingthemesemerged.

Transparencyandtruthfulness consumerswere

concernedabouttruthandtransparency particularlyin

relationtogeneralpurchasesandservice,food,

affordability,telecommunicationsandgreenand

ethicalchoices.

Priceaffordability

of

utilities

was

of

greatest

concern,

butfoodpriceswerefrequentlymentioned.

Affordabilityofconsumergoodsandserviceswasthe

mosthighlyrankedofninepotentialtopicsforfocusin

futuresurveys.

Environmentandethicalconsumption

environmentalandethicalconcernswereranked

fourthamongtheeightmaincurrentconsumerareas

andthirdofnineareasforpotentialfuturesurveys.

Reducingenvironmental impactsinenergyrated

equallywithpriceconcerns, andenvironmentalissues

intelecommunications

use

also

rated

highly

Health ratedthesecondmostimportantconsumer

issueforthenextfiveyearsandthesecondmost

importantratingforfuturesurveys.Healthconcerns

alsounderliethehighrankingofsomeofthefood

relatedissues.

Futuresurveys

Thecurrentsurveysoughtadditionalinformation

aboutconsumers

concerns

in

food,

energy

and

communications.Consumerswereaskedwhichofnine

issuestheywouldlikefuturesurveystoaddress.The

mostpopularchoiceswereaffordabilityofgoodsand

services,healthconsumerrights,greenandethical

consumptionandbanking,creditandinsurance.

6

ConsumersFederationReleasesitsconsumersurveyreport.


7/32

Resultsindetail

Thefollowinglooksatthemoredetailedresultsforthe

threebroadareaswheremoredetailedinformation

wassought.

1.FOOD

Foodwasthehighestratedconsumerissueoverall.

Labeling(originsofproduct,healthclaims),information

andconcernswithcompetitionwerethehighestranked

issues.

75%ofrespondentsidentifiedmisleadinginformation

aboutfoodproductionasaveryimportantissue.

74%ofrespondentsidentifiedmisleadingclaimsabout

healthbenefitsoffoodasaveryimportantissue.

Outof573whoansweredthequestiononfood218

alsoprovidedotherissuesofconcern

70wroteabouttheirconcerns

withcompetitionbetweenColesandWoolworths.

67wroteabouttheirconcernswithallkindsof

differentlabellingissues

33wrote

about

ethical

and

environmental

prob

lems]

Eachofthefiveindividualfoodissuesnominatedinthe

survey(misleadingclaimsabouthealthbenefits,simple

andreliablenutritionlabelling,unitpricing,misleading

productioninformation,lackofcompetition)were

rankedimportantorveryimportantby92%ormoreof

therespondents.

Foodlabellingreformhadthesecondhighestnumber

ofrespondentsoverallforcurrentconsumercampaigns

(20%).

.2.ENERGY

Energywasthesecondhighestratedconsumerissue

overall.Concernsincludeaffordability,alternativeand

environmentally responsibleuseandtransparency in

themarket.

67%ofrespondentsidentifiedstoppingorslowing

electricitypriceincreasesasveryimportant.

66%ofrespondentsidentifiedreducingthe

environmentalimpactofenergyuseasvery

important.

Eachoftheresponses(slowingpriceincreases,helping

consumersmanageconsumption,reliability,reducing

environmentalimpact)wasidentifiedasvery

importantorimportantby93%ofrespondentsor

more.

Outof572whoansweredthequestiononenergy156

respondedalsoidentifiedOtherissuesofconcern

59wroteextendingtheirconcernsabout

alternativeandenvironmentally responsibleenergy

29wroteabouttheirconcernsaboutprice

26wroteabouttheirconcernswithtransparencyof

energyproviders

3.COMMUNICATIONS

Privacyandsecurityonlinewasratedasthesinglemost

importantissueincommunicationsbutalsointhe

surveyasawholewith79%ofrespondentsratingitas

veryimportant.

Noissuewasparticularly prominentintheother

category. Accessibilityandfairnessforallpeople,ease

ofcomparisonandreliabilityweresomeoftheother

issuesmentioned.

ThefullreportbyAmeliaEddyandGordonRenoufcan

befound

here

http://consumersfederation.org.au/wpcontent/

uploads/2013/05/ConsumerIssuesSurvey31.05

ae1.pdf

7


8/32

8

RanktheBanks

Thankyoutothe70Victorianfinancialcounsellorswho

completedtheRanktheBankssurvey.Itmakesan

enormousdifferencetobeabletoprovidecollated

feedbackaboutwhatishappeningtocustomersin

hardship.AsScottPape,wholaunchedthereportatthe

FCAconferenceremindedus,theindustrycompeteson

interestratesandproductofferings.Buthowtheytreat

customerswhoarevulnerableandstruggling,whileit

maynotmaketheheadlines,isjustasimportant.This

surveyprovides

akind

of

competitive

tension.

Theoverallrankingsforthebigfour,onascaleof1to

ten,were:NAB6.2,ANZ5.9,Westpac5.0andCBA4.4.

ANZwasthemostimprovedbank.Theoverallrankings

howevermaskedquitealotofvariability.Whilethe

majorityoffinancialcounsellorsratedNABandANZas

thebestoverall,therewereasizeablenumberwhohad

theoppositeview.Theresultsforthesmallerbanks

weredisappointingwiththemajorityrankedatbelow

4.

FCA,FCRC

and

other

sector

representatives

are

in

the

processofmeetingwitheachofthebankstodiscuss

thereport.Themeetingstodatehavebeenvery

productive.

BestPracticeHardship

FollowingonfromRanktheBanks,theobvious

questioniswhatneedstochangeandhow.Itwould

begoodforthefinancialcounsellingsectorto

documentwhatweseeasbestpracticeinhardship.

Ifanyoneisinterestedinbeingpartofashorthalfday

workshopinVictoriatodiscussthis,canyouplease

emailor

ring

me?

This

workshop

would

be

held

at

the

endofJuly. Resultswouldbesharedwiththeother

States/Territories inordertogettheirinputaswell.

ToolkitWebsiteisupandrunning

TheToolkitwebsite,apasswordprotectedwebsitefor

membersofState/Territory financialcounselling

associations,isupandrunning.LaunchedattheFCA

conferenceinSydneyinMay,thesiteisawealthof

newsandinformation.Youllalsofindthelatest

hardshipcontactnumbers,theslidesfromtheFCA

conference

and

much

more.

Ifyouhaventregistered,gotowww.toolkit.org.au

andclickjoinnow. Youllthenreceiveapassword

andusername.

PaydayLendersNewLawsfrom1stJuly

On1stJuly,theamountthatpaydaylenderscancharge

theirclientswillberegulatedbytheNationalCredit

Code.ForSmallAmountCreditContracts(payday

loanslessthan$2Kand16daysoneyearin

duration),theamountis20%upfrontasan

establishmentfee

and

4%

of

the

amount

lent

per

month.

Wewillsendoutmoreinformationaboutthese

changesinthenextweekorso.Itwillbereally

importantafter1Julytocheckthatapaydayloan

complieswiththelaw.

Citibank

Citibankarecontinuingtoinvestinimprovingtheir

hardshipresponse.Theyhavemadeanumberof

systemchangesforexamplethatwerecausing

problems.They

have

also

appointed

aHardship

LiaisonManager,ChristieKasper. Christiewillbe

attendingtheFCRCconferenceandiskeentoget

feedbackfromthesector.

DebtSelfHelpWebsiteandTool

AsnotedinthelasteditionoftheDA,FCAhas

launchedawebsitetargetedatpeopleinfinancial

difficultywww.debtselfhelp.org.au

Oneofthereallyniftythingsonthesiteisacartoon

animationthat

explains

what

afinancial

counsellor

does.Wehavealsodippedourtoeinthewaterwith

somevideostalkingaboutsomespecifichardship

topicsegMyutilitybillistoohigh. Remembering

thatlargesegmentsofthepopulationhavelow

literacylevels,wewillbedoingmoreoftheseinthe

future.

Theotherfunctionofthesiteistoraisetheprofileof

financialcounselling.

ContactFiona

[email protected]

FinancialCounsellingAustraliaUpdate

FinancialCounsellingAustralia(FCA)isthepeakbodyforfinancialcounsellorsinAustralia. FCA'sroleistosupportthe

financialcounsellingprofession,providingavoiceinnationaldebates.FCAalsoadvocates forafairermarketplacethat

willprevent

financial

problems

in

the

first

place.

Fiona

Guthrie,

Executive

Director

updates

us...


9/32

9


10/32

GoodShepherdMicrofinancethroughtheleadershipof

theGood

Shepherd

sisters

has

always

been

willing

to

trialnewandinnovativemicrofinanceinitiatives.

GoodShepherdMicrofinanceiscurrentlypilotingadebt

consolidationloanwithnointerest,feesorcharges.

ThispilotissupportedbytheVictorianState

governmentthroughDHSandNABbyprovidingthe

loancapital. Theaimofthispilotistodetermine

whethertheprovisionofsmall($2,000)loanswillassist

clientswhoarenottooindebtedtobreakcyclesof

debt. Theapplicantmustbeacurrentfinancial

counsellingclient.

Thisproducthasstronglinkstofinancialcounselling.

Thisproductisatoolforthefinancialcounsellorsto

offerclientsasanoption,ifitisdeemedappropriateto

theirneeds.Naturally,itistheclientsdecisionwhether

toapplyfortheloan.

Whydoweneedfinancialcounsellinginvolvement?

Theseloansarefordebtconsolidation.Financial

counsellorsaretrainedandqualifiedtonegotiatewith

creditorsontheclientsdebtsforfullandfinal

payments.

Tobeabsolutelyclear,thefinancialcounsellors

involvementendswiththereferraltotheDebtDeduct

provider.Theythendetermineiftheloanwillbe

approvedandlookaftertheadministrationoftheloan

repayments.

Thisisalimitedpilotwithjust5deliverysitesinVictoria

eachtowrite10loans.Loansarenowbeingwrittenand

themajorityhavebeentopayoutpaydayloans.Other

loansareforrentalagreements,creditcarddebt,and

oldutilitybills.Sofarthishasbeenaverypositive

experience

for

the

clients

and

all

loans

are

being

repaid.

Backgroundof GoodShepherdMicrofinancesflagship

productNILS.In1981,therewasoppositiontotheNILS

concept.TheGoodShepherdSisterswereadvisedthat

the$20,000theyprovidedascapitalwouldbethrown

away;but,theresoundingsuccessofNILShasproven

detractors wrong.

Today,NILSisAustraliawidewithsome270accredited

organisationsprovidingloanstothemostvulnerable

peopleinourcommunity.

ThisgrowthhasonlybeenpossiblethroughStateand

Federalgovernment

funding

and

the

10

year

partnershipwiththeNABprovidingtheloancapital.

Inthepastcalendaryear,21,500clientswereprovided

withloanstothevalueof$21million.Theloan

purposescontinuetoevolveinresponsetoever

changingneedsofthecommunityandnowgofar

beyondwhitegoods.

StepUPNABbankloansforloansupto$3,000ataflat

3.99%interestarethemostaffordableformof

personalloanavailabletolowincomeclients.The

majorityofloansareforthepurchaseofamotor

vehicle.In

the

past

calendar

year

1,698

loans

have

beendrawndown.

TherecentlyreleasedreportfromtheCentreforSocial

ImpactAlittlehelpgoesalongway:Measuringthe

impactoftheStepUPloanprogram showsthat

73.6%,ofthe500StepUPloanrecipientsinterviewed.,

experiencedapositivechangeineconomicandsocial

outcomes.

Also,64.6%whohadusedfringelendersinthepast

stoppedborrowingfromthemaftertheirStepUPloan;

manyothers

decreased

the

frequency

of

their

use

of

fringelenders.

GoodShepherdMicrofinanceiscreatingproductsto

improvethelivesofthemostdisadvantagedinour

communitysuchas

microinsurance.

Questions?

Contact

[email protected]

KathleenHosie,VictorianStateCoordinatorNILS

10

Safe,fair,affordablecreditGoodShepherdMicrofinancebyKathleenHosie


11/32

St.LukesAnglicareisapilotsitefordebtdeduct

program. FinancialCounsellor,TraceyGrintergaveus

anexampleofhowtheDebtDeductprogrammecanbe

apositivestepupforclients

Arecentloandemonstratedthebenefitsofthestrong

linksbetweenDebtDeductandFinancialCounselling.

TheclienthadaccessedSt.LukesFinancialCounselling

inthepasttoadvocateforsomepayment

arrangements

on

his

debts.

The

client

had

casual

work,

hencehisincomefluctuatedparticularly aroundpublic

holidays.

Theclienthadapaydayloan,creditcardandold

Telstradebt(whichhadgonetoadebtcollector)that

hewasattemptingtopay. Theclientwasalsoinarrears

onhiscarloan,whichwasofparticularconcerntohim

ashereliesonthecargettoandfromwork.

Theclientappliedforadebtdeductloantofinalisehis

paydayloanandcreditcard.TheFinancialCounsellor

wasabletonegotiateareducedsettlementfigurefor

thecreditcard.

Theclientsfortnightlypaymentstothesetwocreditor

hasnowreducedfrom$160fortnightto$40a

fortnight.

TheFinancialCounsellorwasthenabletoassistthe

client

to

make

a

suitable

payment

arrangement

on

the

carloanarrears.

Theclientstatedhehadfeltheneededamiracleto

reducethefinancialstresshewasfeelingandthedebt

deductloanwasthatmiracle.

[email protected] VictorianState

CoordinatorNILS

11

WANTTOCONTRIBUTETOTHEDEVILSADVOCATE?

Youdo! Thatsgreat,becausewedlovetosharetheworkyouaredoing,yourarticlesandin

sights.

Perhapsyouhavehadawin,maybeyourorganisationisrunningaspecialevent, youcouldbe

lookingforcolleaguestofilloutasurvey,ormaybeyoudjustliketodiscussasystemicissueor

telleveryoneaboutwhoyouworkforandwhatitisyoudo.

Well, wedlikeyoutogetintouch. Werelookingforbothoneoffandregularcontribution.

CallDanielleArcheron[03]96632000or [email protected]


12/32

12


13/32

FCRCTRAININGANDPROFESSIONAL

DEVELOPMENTUPDATE

DiplomaofCommunityServicesfinancialcounsel

ling:

VictoriaUniversityisacceptingmid year

enrolmentsintotheDiplomaofCommunity

Servicesfinancialcounselling.Shouldanyonebe

interested,theywillneedtocontactTimothy

LoganatVictoriaUniversity. Emailisthebestand

easiestwaytodothis:[email protected].

Mid yearenrolmentisspecifically suitablefor

thosewhohavecapacitytoobtainrecognitionof

priorlearning(RPL)forsomeaspectsofthe

course,sinceitwillenablestudentstogatherRPL

evidenceandhaveitassessedpriortotheendof

theyear,anditalsoprovidesenrolmentoptions

intosomeunits.

StudentPlacement:

StudentsintheDiplomaofcommunityservices

financialcounsellingatVictoriaUniversityare

readytostartseekingplacement.Weinvite

agencieswhoarekeentohaveastudenton

placementto

contact

Bernadette

Pasco

on

[email protected] .

Bernadettewillbecoordinatingtheplacements

andensurethatagenciesreceiveadequate

correspondencerelatingtoplacementand

associatedrequirementsetc andwillalsoprovide

agencyandstudentsupport.Bernadetteiskeento

receiveresponsesbythelastweekinMaysothat

studentscanreceiveinformationandstart

communicationwithappropriateagencies.

Placementis

agreat

way

to

find

anew

staff

memberandalsoskillupexistingstaffmembersin

relationtosupervisingworkpracticesandlearning

toshareexpertinformation.Itiswhatwillassistto

shapeourfuturefinancialcounsellors. Staffoften

reflectthattheyhavehadtorevisittheirownwork

practicesandithelpsteamstodiscussand

consolidatepractice.

13

MoneySmartWeekUpdate

Targetaudience

Campaign2013

ThefocusoftheMoneySmartWeekpublicrelations

campaignin2013willbeonwomenandmoney.

Researchhasshownfemalesareamongthefive

maingroupswherelowerlevelsoffinancialliteracy

aremorelikelytobeencountered.Wealsoknow

thereisaseriousdiscrepancybetweenlevelsof

superannuationbetweenmenandwomen so,

thereismuchtobedone.IntermsofMoneySmart

Week,thisdecisiondoesnotmeanwomenarethe

onlytargetaudience:Differentelementsof

MoneySmartWeek

will

reach

many

different

groups

ofAustralians,butthefocusofthePRcampaignfor

mainstreammediawillbeonwomen.

Getinvolved

HoldanEvent

AnothergreatwaytobeinvolvedinMoneySmart

Weekistoholdaneventinyourworkplace,

communityorschool.RegistrationsforMoneySmart

Weekeventsareopennow.Byholdinganeventin

MoneySmartWeek,you'lljoinanationalnetworkof

organisationsthat

are

passionate

about

improving

thefinancialliteracyofAustralians.Onceyourevent

isapproved,youwillbesentarangeofmarketing

collateraltohelpyoupromoteandrunyourevent.

Formoredetails,visitmoneysmartweek.org.au.

Register

your

MoneySmart

Week

events

onlineby30June

MSWEventsdirectoryliveonwebsiteby

5September

Women&Moneyevent CastleTowers

ShoppingCentre1 7September


14/32

14

Taxtimeisapproaching.withITSAsPatTragauer

IneacheditionoftheDA,weinvitetheInsolvency&TrusteeServiceAustraliatoanswersomeFAQsandgiveusa

fewusefulpointers.Thismonth,ourregularcolumnist, bankruptcyexpert,PatTragauertellsusexactlywhatwe

needtoknowasJune30thapproaches

AroundthistimeofyeartheITSANationalServiceCentreisinundatedwithenquiriesrelatingtothetreatmentof

taxationinbankruptcy. Assuchitistimelytoprovideanswerstoafewcommonquestionsonhowtaxandassociated

activitiesaretreatedinbankruptcy.

PrioritiesTheCommissionerofTaxation(ATO)doesnothaveapriorityinpaymentoftheirdebtaheadofallother

unsecuredcreditors. Thisprioritywasremovedmanyyearsago. TheATOjoinstheranksofotherunsecured

creditorsandreceivesadividenddistributionparipassu(proportionedtotheirclaims)withotherunsecuredcreditors

whohaveproventheyareowedadebt.

TaxRefundsTolookatthisproperly,itisimportanttoconsiderwhentheincomewasearned. Inadiagrammatic

representationitcanclearlybeseenthattaxrefundsthatrelatetoincomeearnedpriortothedateofbankruptcyare

treatedas

assets

claimable

by

the

trustee

in

bankruptcy.

Tax

refunds

that

relate

to

income

earned

after

the

date

of

bankruptcyformpartoftheincomeofthebankruptandassessableunderthecontributionregime.

ApportionmentofaTaxrefundAtaxrefundcanbeapportionedbasedonincomeearnedpre/postbankruptcy.

Thetrusteecanworkthisoutforthebankrupt;howeverthebankruptcanelecttolodgetwotaxreturnsforasingle

incomeassessmentperiodtoaccuratelyidentifywhattaxispayableprebankruptcyvspostbankruptcyandwhattax

refundrelatestoprebankruptcythatthetrusteecanclaimvspostbankruptcywhichbelongstothebankruptand

includedasassessableincomeundertheincomeregimeundertheBankruptcyAct1966.

Bylodgingtwotaxreturns,thebankruptisabletoclearlyidentifywhatdebtiscoveredintheirbankruptcyasadebt

provableinbankruptcyandwhatdebttheyarepersonallyliablefor,beingtheportionofthetaxperiodpost

bankruptcy. Thiscanbeseendiagrammaticallyasfollows:

WhatcanhappentoataxrefundheldbytheAustralianTaxationOffice?Whereadebtorhasataxdebtatthe

timeofbankruptcy,theATOcanoffsetanytaxrefundsduringtheperiodofbankruptcy. Anytaxrefundrelatingtoa

periodafter

discharge

belongs

to

the

debtor

as

the

debt

to

the

ATO

has

been

discharged

at

the

time

of

the

bankrupts

statutorydischargefrombankruptcy.


15/32

1915

Thisis

separate

and

distinct

from

the

situation

where

the

debtorasatthedateofbankruptcyhasnotaxdebt. Inthis

situation,theATOisstillabletowithholdanytaxrefundto

offsetaliabilitythatisdueunderanyFamilyAssistance

overpaymentorChildSupportpaymentwhetherbefore,

duringorafterthestatutorydischargeofabankrupt. This

isachievablethroughcomparablelegislationlinkingthese

agencies.

ABNTherearemanydebtorsinthecommunitywho

requireanAustralianBusinessNumber(ABN)inorderto

remainintheirformofemployment. Debtorswhoare

contemplatingbankruptcy

can

be

assured

that

they

are

still

abletousethesameABNnumbertheyheldpre

bankruptcy;howevertheyneedtomakecontactwiththe

ATOandadviseoftheirbankruptcy. Anadjustmentto

theirrecordswilltakeplaceresultinginanyoutstanding

taxdebtasatthetimeofbankruptcybeingclaimedinthe

bankruptcyandthebankruptcybecomingpersonallyliable

forfuturetaxliabilitypostbankruptcy.ThisincludesGST

liabilities.

TaxReturnsTheobligationofadebtortofiletheirtax

returnsdoesnotchangewhentheybecomeabankrupt.

Theresponsibility

to

lodge

outstanding

tax

returns

on

behalfofabankruptdoesnottransfertothetrusteeofthe

bankruptcy.

StatutorygarnisheenoticesissuedbytheCommissioner

ofTaxation Undera noticeissuedbytheATOunder

section2605ofschedule1totheTaxationAdministration

Act1953theATOcandirectthatmoniespayableto,or

heldonbehalfof,apersonwithataxdebtbepaidtothe

ATO.

Courtshave

held

that

anotice

issued

under

s260

5(or

its

predecessor,s218oftheIncomeTaxAssessmentAct1936)

createsachargeinfavouroftheATOandhencemakesthe

ATOasecuredcreditorinabankruptcyorcompany

liquidation.

Inviewofthis,thefreezeplacedoncontinueddeduction

orwithholdingofmoniesunderstatutorynoticesimposed

bys54HoftheBankruptcyActdoesnotapplyinrespectof

adebtbeingrecoveredpursuanttoas2605notice.The

ATOsstatusasasecuredcreditoralsomeansthat

collection/withholdingcan

continue

ifthe

debtor

becomes

bankrupt.

UPDATEONITSAsFEESTRUCTURE

ITSAsfeesandlevies,inaccordancewith the

AustralianGovernmentsCostRecoverypolicy.

The AttorneyGeneralhasnowapprovedallthe

proposedfeeandlevychangesforITSAsinsolvency

andPPSRactivities.Thenewfeeswillcommence

on1July2013.

TheITSAandPPSRwebsiteshavebeenupdatedto

includeacopyofthenewfeeschedule.

YoucanviewtheapprovedCostRecoveryImpactState

ment(CRIS)forinsolvencyactivities:

https://www.itsa.gov.au/aboutitsa/corporate

information/costrecoveryimpactstatement

andtheCRISforPPSR activities:

http://www.ppsr.gov.au/ABOUTTHEREGISTER/

ABOUTFEES/Pages/default.aspx

AllITSA/PPSR

systems

and

information

products

containingfeesandlevieswillbeupdatedtocontain

thenewfeesfrom1July2013.

Asthesefeeandlevieschangeswilldirectlyimpact

creditors,practitionersandclients,weaskthatyou

familiariseyourselfwiththefeechangesandensure

thatyourworksystemsandpracticesareupdatedto

giveeffecttothenewfeestructurefrom1July2013.

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsinrelationtothesechanges,

pleasefeel

free

to

contact

ITSA

on

1300

364

785.

TheInsolvencyandTrusteeServiceAustraliais

thegovernmentagencyresponsibleforthead

ministrationandregulationofthe personalin

solvencysysteminAustralia.

Phone:1300364785

Workinghours:8:30am 5:00pm*Mondayto

Friday*(excludingNationalPublicHolidays)


16/32

416


17/32

17

TIOhelpsfinancialcounsellorsdecipherthetelcocodefromTIOFinancialcounsellorsarelearningaboutthetelecommunicationsindustrycodeandtherightsandobligationsof

consumersthankstotrainingrunbytheTIO.

WejoinedtheFinancialOmbudsmanServiceandtheEnergyandWaterOmbudsmanVictoriaforacodestraining

dayfor

financial

counsellors

in

April.

The

session

was

aimed

at

giving

financial

counsellors

an

overview

of

the

banking,insurance,energy,waterandtelecommunicationsindustrycodes.

WealsohostedanUnlockingtheCodessessionforfinancialcounsellorsatthisyearsExternalDispute

ResolutionConferenceinSydneyinMay.Theseeventsgaveusthechancetotalktofinancialcounsellorsabout

theTIO,howweuseindustrycodesandwhattheTelecommunicationsConsumerProtections(TCP)Codesays

aboutfinancialhardship.

TCPCodeandfinancialhardshipfromTIO

TheupdatedTCPCode,whichcameintoeffectinSeptember2012,hassomenewrequirementsforproviders

whendealing

with

consumers

in

financial

hardship.

According

to

the

new

code,

aprovider

must:

contactacustomerwhohasbrokenapaymentplanbeforetryingtocollectadebtordefaultlistthem

respondtoaconsumersrequestforfinancialhardshipassistancewithinsevenworkingdays,and

tellaconsumerabouttheirfinancialhardshippolicywhenitisapparenttothemthattheconsumermayneed

assistance,notonlywhentheconsumerrequestsit.

Rulescarriedoverfromthepreviouscodestillapplyandrequireprovidersto:

haveafinancialhardshippolicythatiseasyforconsumerstoaccess

offerflexiblepaymentoptionsandreviewpaymentplansiftheconsumerscircumstanceschange,and

notcollectdebtswhileapaymentplanisinplaceorbeingdiscussed.

TimelimitsexpandedfromTIO

TheTIOwillbeabletodealwithcomplaintsthataconsumerbecameawareofuptotwoyearsbeforecomingto

us,upfromthecurrentoneyeartimelimit,from1July2013.

Wewillalsohavediscretiontoinvestigatecomplaintsuptosixyearsold,anincreasefromthecurrenttwoyears

permittedunderourconstitution.

Thechangesfollowareviewofthenumberandnatureofenquirieswecouldnotdealwithbecausetheywereout

oftime.Ourresearchfoundthatseveralhundredcomplaintswereoutofjurisdictioneachyearbecauseconsum

ershadknownaboutthecomplaintsforlongerthantwoyears.

ThischangewillincreasetheaccessibilityoftheTIOtoAustraliantelecommunicationsconsumers,Ombudsman

SimonCohensaid.Thisincludes,inparticular,consumerswhoareinfinancialhardshipandthosewhoarethe

subjectofdefaultlistingsandothercreditmanagementactionsbytelcos.

Someofthethingswewillconsiderbeforelookingintothesecomplaintsare:

thereasonsforanydelayinmakingacomplaint

theongoingimpactofthedispute,and

anydisadvantagetothetelcoasaresultofthedelay.

TheexpandedpowersfollowareviewoftheTIOsmonetarylimitsthatincreasedourcomplaintdetermination

powerto$50,000(upfrom$35,000),andincreasedourrecommendationpowerto$100,000(upfrom$85,000).


18/32

18

Researchandexperienceinformsusthatmanyyoung

womenarenotawarethat:

FamilyViolenceisacommunityproblem,nota

womensproblemandnotawomansfault.

FamilyViolenceisnotonlyaboutblackeyesandbroken

bones.

FinancialAbuseisallaboutPOWERandCONTROL.

FinancialAbusecomesinmanyformsincluding:

Withholdingmoneyordictatinghowitisspent;

Refusingto

allow

awoman

to

work

or

study,

thus

limitingherfinancialindependenceand

opportunities;

Forcingapartnertoclaimincomesupport

payments,placingthematriskofaccusationsof

securityfraud;

Puttingallloansanddebtsinthewomansname

andassetsintheabusersname;and

Refusingtocontributetothecostsofthe

household.

FinancialAbuseisDomesticViolence!

ResourcesfromWomensHealthGoulburnNorthEast

FinancialAbuse

WHGNEhaveoperatedNointerestLoansScheme(NILS)

since2007.Asaresultofthisworkitwasidentifiedthat

therewasaneedforresourcesidentifyingFinancial

AbuseasaformofFamilyViolence.

WithfundinggrantedfromtheIanPotterFoundation

foraprojectcalledKeepingYourBoatAfloat,wehave

developedaseriesofsixpostcards,eachdetailinga

youngwomensexperienceoffinancialabuse.Theback

ofthecardlistshelplinesavailableforcopingwith

DomesticViolence.Theseresourceshavebeeninformedbyconsultations

withyoungwomen,includingdirectengagementwith

youngwomen.

Thepostcardsandposterscanbe:

Displayedinreceptionareasatlibraries,local

counciloffices,Tafes,schools,communityhealth

servicesandyouthservices;

Used

in

discussions

about

basic

money

management,budgetingandcontracts;

Usedtoinformdiscussionsandraiseawarenessof

respectfulrelationships;

Usedtodiscusscreditanddebtissuesincluding

rightsandresponsibilities;

Usedtodiscussoptionsavailablewhenfinancial

difficultydoesoccur.


19/32

19

ProhibitedDebtCollectionPracticesby

MalcolmBuchanan/FamilyMediationCentre

Asmanyofyouknow,itisillegalforcreditorsortheiragentstocontactclientsoncetheyhavebeenadvisedin

writingthat"nofurthercommunicationshouldbemadewiththeclientotherthanbywayofcourtactionor

noticeofintendedcourtaction".

CALChaveacopyofthetemplatelettercanbeusedtonotifycreditorsortheiragents.

Thisnotificationinwritingdoesnotnegatethedebtandthecreditorstillhavetherighttopursuetheclientfor

paymentundertheJudgmentDebtRecoveryAct.1984.Inmostcasesanyactiontoobtainjudgmentisunlikelyas

thiswouldbecommerciallyuneconomicaltodoso.

Itshouldonlybeusedforclientswhohavenoassetsotherthanordinaryhouseholditemsandwhoareinreceipt

ofSocialSecuritybenefits.Inotherwords,theyare"JudgmentProof".Itisimportantthatweensurethatwe

notifyourclientsoftheconsequencesshouldjudgmentbeobtainedagainstthemfortheoutstandingdebt.

Approximately12monthsagoInotifiedacreditorandtheiragent inwritingthat"nofurthercommunication

shouldbemadewiththeclientotherthanbywayofcourtactionornoticeofintendedcourtaction".Despitethis

notificationandseveralfollowuptelephoneconversationsandemails,thecreditorandtheircollectionagent

continuedto

be

contacted

the

client

demanding

that

they

pay

the

outstanding

debt.

Thiscausedmyclientconsiderablestress.

CALCassistedinpreparing aVCATcomplaintseekingdamagesforbreachesoftheAustralianConsumerLawand

FairTradingAct2012(Vic)(ACLFTA).Thiscomplaintwasthenforwardedontothenamedrespondents(there

were2,thecreditorandtheircollectionagent)advisingthemthatunlesstheywerepreparedtomakea

meaningfuloffertosettlethecomplaintthenproceedingswouldbefiledinVCATfordamagesof$10,000.00.

WealsoadvisedtherespondentsthatASICwouldbeinformedwhomayimposeacivilpenaltyofupto

$143,000.00onacorporationforsuchbehaviour.

RecentlytherehasbeenarangeofsuccessfulactionsinVCATagainstcompaniesforengaginginProhibitedDebt

CollectionPractices.

If

enough

complaints

are

lodged

Iam

confident

that

this

endemic

problem

will

correct

itself.

Itisabitlikethe"PenaltyFees"thatbankswerecharging.Theysoonchangedtheirwaysafteraseriesof

complaintswerefiledagainstthem.

Iampleasetoadvisethatthecreditoragreedtowriteofthedebtandtopayasubstantialamountindamages

fortheongoingharassmentofmyclientduetotheirbreachof AustralianConsumerLawandFairTradingAct

2012(Vic)(ACLFTA).

TheimportantmessagehereisthatmanycompaniescontinuetoengageinProhibitedDebtCollectionPractices.

Theymustbeheldaccountable.Oursectorcanplayaroleintryingtostampouttheseprohibitedpracticesfrom

occurringbylodging complaintsagainsteachcompanythatcontinuestobreakthelaw.


20/32

20


21/32

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22/32

22


23/32

23


24/32

24

SteviethereformedscammerisbackwithsixnewvideosaimedatprotectingVictoriansfromcommonadvancefee

fraudscams.

Advancefee

fraud

happens

when

people

are

tricked

into

providing

money

ahead

of

apromised

payment

that

never

arrives.

Steviesnewvideosexplainthescammerstricksandgivetipstoavoidthemostcommontypesofadvancefee

fraud.

TowatchSteviesScamSchoolvideos,visitconsumer.vic.gov.au/scamschoolconsumer

Rebatescam:Ascammersaysyouareowedmoneybutmustpayanadministrationfeetoreleaseorreclaimthe

money.Thesescamsusenamesofgovernments,banksandotherwellknowncompaniesandinstitutionstogain

legitimacy.Thescammermayevenrefertoagovernmentincentiveorrebatescheme.

In

2012,

Consumer

Affairs

Victoria

received

635

reports

of

rebate

or

reclaim

scams.

Casestudy:Aconsumercalledonbehalfofhiselderlyfatherwhohadpaidabout$60,000toascammer.The

scammerhadtoldthefatherthatthebankshadoverchargedcustomers.Hisbankwasrepayingcustomerstoavoid

badpublicityandneededtoverifyhisdetails.Thefatherwasgivenstepbystepinstructionsonsendingthecashvia

amoneytransfercompanyincludingtostateontheformthatthemoneywasagift,andtodisposeoftransfer

receipts.Thiscontinuedforaboutamonthfordifferentamounts.Thescammertoldthefathertherewas$63,000

inhisaccount,andtheywouldrepaythisplus$17,000.Theysaidtheywouldbringpaymentandstatementsto

confirmhis$80,000balancetohishousebutnevershowed.Whenhecalledtotellthescammerstorepayhis

money,theytoldhimtopaya$900cancellationfee.TheconsumerreportedthescamtothepoliceandConsumer

AffairsVictoria.

Onlinesellingscam:Posingasbuyers,scammerspretendtohaveoverpaidforitemsevenprovidingfakeemails

fromwhat

seems

to

be

areputable

money

transfer

company

to

support

their

claim.

Unsuspecting

sellers

who

send

theiritemsthenreimbursetheoverpaymentloseboththeirmoneyandgoods.

In2012,ConsumerAffairsVictoriareceived223reportsofshoppingandtradingscams.

Casestudy:Aconsumeradvertisedacaravanforsale,pricedatnearly$9000.Ascammeragreedtobuythe

caravan.Theyclaimedtoliveoffshoreandaskedtheconsumertopay$750feeforanagenttocollectthecaravan,

promisingtotransferthefullpaymentandreimbursetheagentfeewithin24hours.Theconsumerdidnotreceive

anymoneyandreportedthescamtoConsumerAffairsVictoria.


25/32

25

Romancescam:

A

scammer

uses

afake

profile

on

alegitimate

dating

website

to

build

arelationship,

then

quickly

shiftstousingprivateemail,phoneorinstantmessaging.Theymakeupastorythatexploitsemotiontoget

money.Thescammerwillbepersistentand,ifsuccessful,willcontinuetoexploittherelationship.

In2012,ConsumerAffairsVictoriareceived27reportsofromancescams.

Casestudy:Aconsumermetawomanonadatingwebsite.ShesaidshelivedinMaribyrnongbutwasinMalaysia

buyingdiamondsandgold.Sherequested$12,000topayfortherestofherpurchase shesaidshehadpaidfor

70percentofit.Thisrangalarmbellswiththeconsumer,whoreportedthescamtoConsumerAffairsVictoria.

Investmentscam:Scammersoffergetrichquickschemesorinvestmentsbasedonsecretinformationor

sourcesforexample,expensivesoftwarepackagesthatpromisetopredictsportingeventresultsorsharemar

ketmovements.Theupfrontpaymentsarehighandthepromisedreturnsnevereventuate.

In2012,ConsumerAffairsVictoriareceived325reportsofinvestmentandfinancialscams.

Casestudy:Aconsumerwascontactedonhismobilephoneandinvitedtoinvestinasharescheme.Hewasnot

offeredacontractorprovidedwithanyotherinformation.ThecompanypurportedtohaveanofficeinAmerica

andHongKong.Theconsumerwasdealingwithtwomenwhenmakinginvestmentsthattotalledmorethan

$65,000.Whenhewantedtowithdrawmoney,hewasunabletocontactthem.Theconsumerthencontacted

ConsumerAffairsVictoriaforinformationandadvice.

Lotteryscam:Ascammersaysyouvewonalotteryorsweepstakebutmustpaytoclaimtheprizeforexample,

aholiday,smartphoneorshoppingvoucher.Neitherthelotterynorprizeexists.Thescammermayusethe

namesoflegitimateoverseaslotteriestomakethescamseemreal.

In2012,

Consumer

Affairs

Victoria

received

364

reports

of

bogus

lottery

scams.

Casestudy:Aconsumerreceivedatextmessagesayingshehadwon$250,000andacar.Theconsumerwas

askedtocontactapersonintheUKviaemail.Thescammeraskedhertopayafeeofafewhundreddollarsto

releasetheprize,thenclaimedtaxesandaninlandrevenuefeehadtobepaid.Theconsumerendedupsending

thescammermorethan$21,000.ConsumerAffairsVictoriawascontactedforadviceandtoreportthescam.

Rentalscam:Scammersadvertisebogusrentalpropertiesonlegitimatewebsites.Theymaketheofferlookgenu

inebyincludingphotos,usingrealpropertyaddressesandothertricks.Theyaskforupfrontpaymentofrentor

depositviamoneytransfer,andforpersonaldetailsthattheycanusetocommitcreditcardandidentifyfraud.

In2012,ConsumerAffairsVictoriareceived28reportsofrentalscams.

Casestudy:

A

consumer

placed

an

online

advertisement

seeking

aproperty

to

rent.

Within

aday,

ascammer

(whoclaimedtobeoverseas)offeredherahouse.Shewenttolookattheoutsideoftheproperty,whichap

pearedtobevacant.Thescammersentheraleaseagreementandbondform,andaskedhertopaya$1200

bondviaamoneytransferservice.Shepaidthebondbutneverreceivedthekeysaspromised.Thisexampleof

arentalscamshowsacommonploy,wherethescammerusesavacantproperty(possiblyadvertisedasarental

elsewhere)andclaimstobeoverseas.


26/32

26

Careers

SpringvaleCommunityAid&AdviceBureaudeliversarangeofservicestodisadvantagedandlowincome

familiesandindividuals.Wearecommittedtosocialjustice,equity,communitybuilding&theprovisionof

highqualityservicesintheSouthEastofMelbourne.

Duetoexpansioninourservicesthefollowingopportunitiesareavailablewithinourorganisation.

FinancialCounsellorProblemGamblingFTE1.0

Thisnewlyfundedfulltimepositionwilldeliverfinancialcounsellingservicestopeopleinfinancialdifficulty

withpriorityassistancegiventoindividualsandfamiliesaffectedbyproblemgambling.Therolewillprovide

communityoutreachandeducationincludingpromotionoftheservice,andworkcollaborativelywithstate

andterritoryfundedgamblingservices,gamingvenuesandorganisationsprovidingFMPservices.Itwillde

velopand

implement

strategies

to

encourage

participation

of

people

from

disadvantaged,

Culturally

and

Lin

guisticallyDiverse(CALD),andIndigenousbackgrounds.

Keyresponsibilitiesinclude:

Establishrelationshipswithgamblingservicesandgamingvenuestodevelopreferralpathwaystargetser

viceprovision

Undertakecaseworkandcommunitydevelopmentactivitiestoaddressfinancialdisadvantageand

problemgambling

Work

collaboratively

with

the

Financial

counselling

team

to

incorporate

problem

gambling

service

pro

vision

Additionaldutiesdependentonqualificationsandexperience

Pleasesubmityourapplicationto:[email protected]

addressthekeyresponsibilitiescriteria.

ApplicationscloseFriday28thJune,at5.00pm.Pleasenotethatonlyapplicantsshortlistedfortheinterview

processwill

be

contacted.


27/32

27

Careers

SpringvaleCommunityAid&AdviceBureaudeliversarangeofservicestodisadvantagedandlowincome

familiesandindividuals.Wearecommittedtosocialjustice,equity,communitybuilding&theprovisionof

highqualityservicesintheSouthEastofMelbourne.

Duetoexpansioninourservicesthefollowingopportunitiesareavailablewithinourorganisation.

FinancialCounsellorFTE1.0

ThisfulltimepositionwilldeliverfinancialcounsellingservicesinanoutpostmodeltoagenciesintheSouth

ernMetropolitanregionandwillworkcloselywithagenciestopromoteandprovidearesponsiveserviceto

thosein

need.

Keyresponsibilitiesinclude:

Maintainrelationshipswithoutpostagenciestofacilitateserviceprovisionthroughouttheregion

Undertakecaseworkandcommunitydevelopmentactivitiestoaddressfinancialdisadvantage

WorkcollaborativelywiththeFinancialcounsellingteamand

Formstronglinkageswithotherservicestoaddressarangeofclientissues

RemunerationisbasedontheSocial,Community,HomeCareandDisabilityServiceIndustryAwardincluding

attractivesalaryandconditions,withsalarypackagingoptions.

Pleasesubmityourapplicationto:[email protected]

addressthekeyresponsibilitiescriteria.

ApplicationscloseFriday28thJune,at5.00pm.Pleasenotethatonlyapplicantsshortlistedfortheinterview

processwillbecontacted.


28/32

28

BREAKINGNEWGROUNDINFINANCIALCOUNSELLING&PROBLEMGAMBLINGApplicationscloseCOB8thJuly

OdysseyHouseVictoriaisadynamicgrowingorganizationcommittedtoexcellenceinserviceprovisionandinnovationinrespo

ingto

addiction

problems.

We

are

now

seeking

adynamic

full

time

Financial

Counsellor

to

implement,

aproblem

Gambling

Fina

cialCounsellingProgramoveraoneyearperiod(withpotentialfortwoyearsfurtherfunding).ThisisaFaHCSIAfundedposition

Theprogramseekstochangethewaypeopleaffectedbyproblemgamblingapproachfinancialissues,byprovidingfinancialcou

sellingandsupport. Themainaimsareto:

Empowerindividualsrecoveringfromproblemgamblingtotakesupervisedcontroloftheirownfinancesandtoenablethemt

planforthefuture.

Workwiththelocalcommunity,referringagenciesandthegamblingindustrytoidentifyandreferpersonsaffectedbyproble

gamblingintotheservice.

Empowerclientswithfundamentalknowledgeofkeyfinancialbasicsthat,webelieve,willmakethemmorelikelytosustaina

problemgamblingfreelifestyle.

Thesuccessfulapplicantwillalsoworkwithclientswhohavealcoholandotherdrugproblemsastheirprimaryissueandcollect

informationregardingclientsfinancialknowledge,moneymanagementskills,etcaspartofanevaluationprocess.

ForfurtherinformationpleasecontactPeterMatthews,ProgramManageron0394207600.

Ourapproachtorecruitmentisbasedonflexibilityandcreatingopportunitiesinwhichstaffcandevelopandexcelintheirchos

careers.WeareinterestedindiscussinghowyoumaybeabletouseyourskillsandexperiencewithinOdyssey.Wewanttoattr

thebestpossiblepersonsandarepreparedtonegotiateworktasks,termsandconditionstoensureappropriateopportunitiesa

providedto

people

willing

and

able

to

make

adifference.

Flexible

hours

are

negotiable.

IfthistypeofworkenvironmentappealstoyoupleaseemailacopyofyourCVtojobs@odyssey.org.au

C/OPeterMatthews:ProgramsManager. Positiondescriptionsareavailableonhttp://www.odyssey.org.au/jobs

Remunerationisnegotiableupto$50,000plussuper,salarypackaginganduseoffullymaintainedvehicle.

Thisisanexcitingopportunitiesforapersonwhoaregoodatwhattheydoandwanttoexpandtheircareersandbecomeparto

anenthusiastic

team

of

skilled

professionals.


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29

WouldyouliketoworkwithusatFCRC?

FCRCwishestoemployaproject worker. Thepositionisparttimeandshortterminnaturerequiringan

immediatestart.FCRCthereforeispreparedtonegotiateaflexibleemploymentarrangementwithinthe

confinesof

the

timelines

of

the

project.

TheAustralianGovernmentrecentlycommitted$22.6millionoverfouryearstosupportindividualsadversely

affectedbygamblingthroughthecreationof50newfinancialcounsellingpositionsthroughoutAustralia.

Tosupporttheappointmentofthenewfinancialcounsellingpositions,thereisaneedforthedevelopment

andcentralisationofconsistentbestpracticeresourcestoequipproblemgamblingservicefinancialcounsellors

withspecialistcaseworkandconnecttothelatestindustryknowledge.

FCRChasreceivedfundingfromthefederalgovernmentdepartmentFaCHSIA(Families,Housing,Community,

HousingandIndigenousAffairs)todevelopanationaltoolkitforthe50newlyappointedfinancialcounsellors.

Foracompletepositiondescriptionandselectioncriteria,pleasereadtheprojectdescriptionanddeliverables

documentonourwebsiteat: http://www.fcrc.org.au/fcrc andthesector/careers/ anddirectresponsesto

DanielleArcher:[email protected].


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28

FinancialCounsellor

CaseyNorthCommunityInformation&SupportServiceislocatedintherapidlygrowingsoutheastgrowthcorridor

ofmetropolitanMelbourne. Theorganizationprovidesarangeofprogramsandresourcestargetedinparticular,to

disadvantagedandlowincomehouseholds.

TheFinancialCounsellingprogramhasbeenestablishedtorespondtothegrowingneedofresidentsinthelocal

communitythatareexperiencingfinancialproblemsandrequireprofessionalassistancetoovercomethoseis

sues. TheprogramisfundedbytheFederalGovernmentDeptofFahcsia.

The.6positionisnewlyestablishedandasfundingcoversawiderareathanourcurrentprogram,someoutreach

willberequired.AtthisstageitisexpectedthatthepositionwillprovideaservicetotheMorningtonPeninsula

area,up

to

2days

per

week

and

the

balance

would

be

located

at

our

Narre

Warren

office.

The

position

would

ideallybeworkedMondaytoWednesday.

KeyResponsibilityAreas

1. Toprovidedirectclientservicesrelatedtoawiderangeoffinancialissuesanddifficultiesexperiencedbydisadvantagedpeople.

2. Fromafinancialcounsellingperspective,assesstheclientssituationandprovideinformationandexplanationofallrelevantoptionstoassisttheclienttoaddresstheirsituation.

3. Advocateandnegotiateontheclientsbehalfwherenecessaryandauthorisedbytheclients,withcreditorsandotherappropriatecontacts.

4.

Ensure

clients

are

kept

informed

of

all

progress

and

maintain

accurate

client

files

and

case

notes

in

line

with

Con

fidentialityandPrivacyprinciples.

5. Provideinformationofalternativesourcesoffinanceandothercommunityresources.Eg.NoInterestLoanScheme.

6. Workcollaborativelywithallprogramstaff,inparticularfinancialcounsellingcolleaguesandSocialWorkprogramstafftoensurethatallservicesareprovidedinaprofessional, holisticandefficientmanner.

7. ProvideadvicetotheExecutiveOfficerofissuesandtrendsidentifiedwithinthefinancialcounsellingprogramasappropriate.

8. Liaisewithothercommunityandgovernmentagenciesprovidingservicestotheresidentsinthefundedarea,toenhancetheundertakingoffinancialcounsellingandcommunitydevelopmentactivities.

9. ConsideranddevelopstrategiestoworkwithCALDcommunitiesandothervulnerablegroupstoensuredeliveryoffinancialcounsellingservicesandfinancialliteracyinformation.

10.Workwiththevolunteerteamtoensuretheyhaveagoodunderstandingofthefinancialcounsellingprogramandcanprovideinformationandappropriatereferralstotheprogram.

Representtheagencyasrequiredwithinthelocalcommunities.

General

1. Ensuretheprovisionofallserviceswithafocusoncustomerserviceandindustrybestpractice.

2. Ensureprovisionofefficientandeffectivefinancialcounsellingservicesandassistancetoclientsandthemaintenanceofprivacyandconfidentialityofallmattersincludingclientfiles.

3. Keepuptodatewithdevelopments, legislationandregulationsrelevanttotheefficientrunningoftheprogram.

4. Keepuptodatestatisticsandclientfilesandcontributetotheefficientrunningoftheservice.ProvidemonthlyworkersreportstotheExecutiveOfficer,attendstaffandBoardmeetingsasrequired.


31/32

29

KeySelectionCriteria

SpecialistKnowledge&Skills

Thepositionrequiresthefollowingspecialistknowledgeandskills;

Abilitytoadviseandprovidefinancialinformationtofamiliesandindividualstoassistintheresolutionoffinancial

issuesatvariouslevelsincludingcrisisintervention andlongertermcasemanagement.

Demonstratedunderstandingoftheissuesrelatedtohouseholdsexperiencingfinancialdifficultiesandthesocial

problemstheymayexperience.

Abilitytodevelopactionplans,setgoalsandfacilitateapositiveapproachinworkingwithfamilies,individualsand

groupstoachievethesegoalswithinestablishedtimeframes.

Demonstratedunderstandingoftheimpactthatfinancialliteracyskills,orlackof,canhaveonCALDcommunities

andotherdisadvantagedgroups.

Agood

working

knowledge

of

relevant

legislation

and

how

it

impacts

the

client

group.

Abilitytoworkwithgovernmentdepartments,financialinstitutionsandotherorganisationsinadvocatingfortheclient

group.

ManagementSkills:

Thepositionrequiresthefollowingskillsinrelationtoworkermanagement;

timeandworkloadmanagementskills

abilitytosetgoalsandobjectivesandevaluateoutcomes

reportwritingandrecordkeepingskills

InterpersonalSkills:

highleveloforalandwrittencommunicationskills

abilitytorelatetoawideanddiverserangeofclientsandorganisations

abilitytoworkindependentlyandcooperativelyinateamenvironmentandtoassistandsupportvolunteersasre

quired.

Qualifications

Required:DiplomaofCommunityServices(FinancialCounselling)

Desirable:Tertiaryqualificationinsocialwelfarefieldandexperienceworkingwithpeoplepresentingincrisis

Current

Drivers

licence

desirable

AWorkingwithChildrencheckwouldberequired

ApplicationswillbereceiveduntilCOB22nd

July2013

SusanMagee

ExecutiveOfficer

CaseyNorthCommunityInformation&SupportService

Suite1,9092VictorCres,NarreWarren

www.caseynorthciss.com.au


32/32

DIARYDATES

WesternRegionRuralFCNetworkMeetingsAngeUptonA.Upton@stlukes.org.au

Thursday15th

AugustGeelongorWarrnambool(tobeconfirmedatFebruary2013meeting)

Thursday17th

OctoberBendigo:BendigoCommunityHealthServices

Thursday12th

DecemberBallarat:All.

PDtobeincludedinJune&Octobermeeting.

GippslandRegionFCNetworkMeetingsLisaGarlicklisa.garlick@anglicarevic.org.au

St.MarysCommunityRoomCnrofBuckleyStandLatrobeRd.

Mondaythe1stofJuly10am3pm

Mondaythe18th

November10am3pm.

NorthernRegionFCNetworkMeetingsareusuallyfrom2pm[subjecttochange,checkwithhostingagency]

August6KildonanUnitingCare(Epping)

October1BanyuleCommunityHealth(WestHeidelberg)

December3TBA

SouthernRegionMetroplitanFCsNetwork

Venue:CranbourneIntegratedCare,140SladenStreet,Cranbourne(MainConferenceRoomupstairs)

[email protected]

Allmeetingsat10amtill12.30pmfollowedbyForumfrom1.30pmto4.00pm

August8

FCMeetingandPDEventCouncilRatesandFinancialHardshipPolicies

October10

FCMeetingandPDEventBankruptcyandLiquidation

December12

FCfinalmeetingfortheyear

Meetingat10amtill12.30pmfollowedbylunch

TheDevilsAdvocateisabimonthlynewsletterthatispublishedforthebenefitofFCRC

members,

associatesandotherstakeholders.TheDevilsAdvocatesprimaryfunctionisto

distributeinformation

totheFCRCmembershipandbeyond.

Theviews

expressed

in

this

newsletter

are

not

necessarily

those

of

the

FCRC

or

its

membership.

Furthermore,

articles

relating

to

productsand/orservicesshouldnotbeseenasarecommendation

orendorsementofsuchproductsbytheFCRC,andareprovidedforinformationonly.

WhilsttheFCRCtakeseveryreasonableprecautiontoensuretheaccuracyofthe informationpublished

intheDevilsAdvocate,youshouldconfirmtheaccuracyoftheinformationonwhichyoumayseektorely.TheFCRCacceptsno

responsibilityforanyloss,damage,orconsequencearisingeitherdirectlyorindirectlyfromtheinformationcontainedherein.

devils-advocate-june-2013v3.pdf

Documents