According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, debt collectors for the ANZ bank are using extremely questionable methods to collect bank debts from consumers.

Confidential files reveal that a number of debt collectors working for the ANZ bank may have acted illegally by harassing customers and removing funds from their bank accounts without their authorization.An ANZ spokesperson admitted its debt collectors were in breach of industry guidelines occasionally and the bank is taking action to address this.

The files reveal one collector froze more than $1500 of a debtor’s money, despite being told that the debtor would be evicted.

In another case, a collector tried to force a debtor to submit half their Centrelink welfare payment.

ACCC guidelines require debt chasers to make reasonable allowances for debtors’ living expenses.

Over the past 15 years the median weekly rents in capital cities rose 41 per cent.  Whereas the Commonwealth Rent Assistance – an untaxed income supplement paid via Centrelink to low-income renters – has remained essentially unchanged.

Renters are struggling to cover the larger landlord bills from their shrinking allowance.

Singles without children saw among the largest shifts in relative expenses, with the government’s maximum rental assistance sinking from a 21.4 per cent share to 16.4 per cent over the period. Other renters, such as couples with children, saw a similar reduction, the TUV report said.

The falling share of rental assistance shows another aspect on Australia’s housing affordability problems. On the one hand we have a large number of low-income renters struggling to meet weekly payments, on the other we have home prices rising by as much as 20% over the past year in most capital cities. Therefore home ownership is becoming an unattainable dream for many.

The TUV report comes as politicians from the major parties focus on population issues, particularly around asylum seekers and long-term sustainable growth, but have said little about specific housing costs.

Charity organisations have also noted the stress on households, particularly for those on a low income.

”We have seen a significant increase in people seeking assistance from our organisation to help them meet rising rent costs,” said St Vincent de Paul research and policy manager Gavin Dufty.  ”Government need to review and assess the adequacy of the private rental rebate to ensure that it provides real housing assistance to those most in need,” he said.