Save the date!

The date is set. The venue is booked. The 2017 Victorian Financial Counsellors Conference is on!

2017 VFCC
Where: Mantra Lorne
When: 11-13 October 2017

Registrations for the event will open soon, but for now we can reveal the theme for this year's conference is: Defining the Future.

• Concerns with Centrelink’s Private Debt Collectors’ Accountability
• Afterpay: what you need to know
• FOS Consumer Liaison Group
• Reminder for members
• Interview with FC: Eleanor Mason
• The Better Banking program
• News in brief
• Upcoming CPD

Concerns with Centrelink’s Private Debt Collectors’ Accountability

Srikaran Nadador

Since the introduction of the government’s new automated debt recovery system in July 2016, there has been severe public backlash against the inaccurate system of data-matching which has affected over 170,000 people to date.

Financial Counsellors may be interested to know that Centrelink has enlisted private debt collectors, including Dun & Bradstreet and Recoveries Corp, to recover the alleged overpayments.

Afterpay: what you need to know

In an age of convenience, where getting credit can be easier than getting paid, consumers need to pay close attention to what they can afford and how they spend their money. A relatively new “buy now, pay later” facility has emerged that is enticing young shoppers to get the things they want now, and pay for it over time. Sound too good to be true?

The Better Banking program

Australia’s leading banks have announced new initiatives to deliver better products and services to customers, building on last year’s reforms that address concerns with the culture in banks.

The Better Banking program has been launched to build on the initiatives announced last year and introduce new initiatives reflecting research conducted in 2016 into what customers like and don’t like about banking, and what is needed to make banking better.

Among the initiatives, the program offers renewed commitment to support customers in financial difficulty, including making financial hardship support programs more accessible, including working with financial counsellors to support the setup of a new debt repayment service to help people manage multiple debts.

Read the full media release here.

Visit the Better Banking website.

Upcoming CPD

To appeal or not to appeal - Social Security Law
Social Security law can be complex. Running an appeal through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal can be even more complicated. Build on the knowledge and skills you already possess in this area to navigate the best outcome for your client. 
Register online

Living on the Fringe – Rent to buy and rent arrears
Is Vendor finance the pathway to the Great Australian Dream? Or nightmare? And, what rights do consumers have when they are behind on their rent? Find out how you can assist clients that have Vendor Finance problems and rent arrears. 
Register online
 

Telephone professional supervision opportunities
A list of upcoming telephone professional supervision opportunities is available for members via the FCRC website. 
View the resources

FOS Consumer Liaison Group

FOS welcomes financial counsellor Rachna Bowman as the newest member of the Consumer Liaison Group.

Reminder for members

2017 membership renewals are open. Please renew by 28 February to avoid disruption to your member access.

Renew now

For assistance, please call James on 03 9663 2000.

Members are also invited to provide feedback as part of our membership survey.

Complete the survey

Interview with Eleanor Mason

Starting this month, we're introducing a new section to the Devil's Advocate: 
'Interview with an Advocate.'

In our first interview Eleanor Mason (Salvation Army, Geelong) shares her passion for the sector and why she thinks financial counsellors "rule the world!"

Read the interview here.

News in brief

Footballer speaks out against gambling ads during sports

Geelong's Harry Taylor questions effects of gambling advertising during AFL games.
Continue reading...

Online dating scams

Reports of dating & romance scams rose by 57% in the past 12 months.
Continue reading...

Got something to share?

FCRC invites submissions from members and other organisations within the sector. Contact us to discuss sharing your story. Submission deadline is the 20th of each month.